Category: F

Float: Same as Dutch harrow. Proper use of a float helps prepare seedbeds and improve soil conditions for planting.

Feeke’s Large Scale: A method of determining the growth stage of a crop by comparing plant size and leaf arrangement when the plant is young. This method helps farmers monitor crop development and plan management practices.

fertilizer: A chemical or natural substance added to soil to increase its fertility. Using fertilizers correctly is crucial for enhancing soil health and crop yields.

Fumitory: A common weed (Fumaria officinalis) affecting cereal and clover crops. Properly managing fumitory helps protect crop health and yields.

Farm Watch Scheme: A scheme organizing networks of farmers to be in touch with one another and the local police to report suspicious activity. This enhances farm security and community cooperation.

Fruiting Season: The time of year when a particular tree has fruit. Properly managing fruiting seasons supports efficient harvests and crop productivity.

Fur: A coat of hair covering an animal. Properly managing fur supports animal health and performance.

Farm Assurance: A scheme applying specific criteria to guarantee quality control for farm produce. Farm assurance programs help farmers maintain high standards and improve consumer confidence in their products.

Fetus: Another spelling of foetus. Understanding fetal development is important for managing livestock pregnancies and ensuring healthy births.

FAO: Abbreviation for Food and Agriculture Organization. This organization provides resources and guidance to farmers worldwide, promoting sustainable agriculture and food security.

Farmhand: A person who works on a farm. Farmhands are crucial for the daily operations and labor-intensive tasks on a farm.

Flood Plain: A wide flat part of the bottom of a valley usually covered with water when the river floods. Managing flood plains supports agricultural productivity and environmental health.

Finger and Toe: Same as club root. Managing this disease helps protect crop health and yields.

Flint: A hard stone of nearly pure silica, found in lumps in chalk soils. Properly managing flint in soils helps prevent damage to farm machinery and improve soil workability.

Faverolle: A breed of poultry for table consumption. Raising Faverolle chickens provides farmers with high-quality meat and diverse poultry products.

Field Drainage: Building drains in or under fields to remove surplus water. Proper field drainage prevents waterlogging, improves soil health, and enhances crop growth.

Freehold: The absolute right to hold land or property for an unlimited time without paying rent. Properly managing freehold property supports long-term farm stability and investment.

Fenbendazole: A medicinal substance used to worm cattle. Proper use of fenbendazole ensures effective parasite control and livestock health.

Fine Wool: Wool of very good quality. Producing fine wool meets market demand and ensures high-quality textile products.

Flaked Maize: A type of animal feedingstuff made from maize that has been treated with steam, rolled, and dried. It is highly digestible, rich in starch, and often given to pigs. Providing flaked maize ensures high-quality nutrition for livestock.

Fagus: The Latin name for beech, a type of tree. Beech trees can be part of agroforestry systems, providing shade, windbreaks, and contributing to biodiversity on farms.

Field Observation: An examination made in the open air, looking at organisms in their natural habitat as opposed to in a laboratory. Field observations provide valuable insights into ecological interactions and help inform sustainable farming practices.

Field Pansy: A widespread flower (Viola arvensis) increasingly found in winter crops, especially cereals. Also called corn pansy, love-in-idleness, cats’ faces. Managing field pansies helps maintain crop health and biodiversity.

Felling Licence: Permission from the Forestry Commission to fell trees. Managing tree felling with proper licences ensures sustainable forestry practices and environmental protection.

Fluoride: A chemical compound of fluorine, usually with sodium, potassium, or tin. Properly managing fluoride levels in water and soil supports plant and animal health.

FCR: Abbreviation for feed conversion rate. Monitoring FCR helps farmers enhance feed efficiency and animal growth, leading to better productivity and profitability.

Foodborne Diseases: Diseases transmitted from feedstuff. Properly managing foodborne diseases ensures livestock health and food safety.

Field Bindweed: A deep-rooted perennial weed (Convolvulus arvensis) causing significant problems due to its mass of clinging growths. Effective weed management practices are necessary to control field bindweed and protect crop yields.

Filbert: The Kentish cob, a commercially grown hazel-like nut (Corylus maxima). Growing filberts provides farmers with high-value nut crops and diversifies farm income.

Foal: A young horse of either sex in its first year. Properly managing foals ensures their health and prepares them for productive roles on the farm.

Fixation: The act of fixing something. Nitrogen fixation. Understanding nitrogen fixation helps farmers manage soil fertility and improve crop growth.

Famine: A period of severe food shortage. Knowledge of famine conditions helps farmers plan for food security and manage resources effectively.

Flourish: To live or grow well and increase in numbers. The colony of rabbits flourished in the absence of any predators. Proper management practices ensure that crops and livestock flourish on the farm.

Farm Fresh Eggs: Class A eggs described as “farm fresh” in the EU. These eggs meet high standards of quality and freshness, appealing to consumers.

Flush: A rapid growth of grass. Managing flushes of grass growth supports efficient grazing and forage management.

Flock Book: A record of the pedigree of a particular breed of sheep or goat, kept by the breed society. Maintaining accurate flock books helps farmers manage breeding programs and improve genetic quality.

Fetlock: The thicker back part of a horse’s leg near the hoof. Proper care of the fetlock ensures the health and performance of horses.

Food Crop: A plant grown for food. Properly managing food crops ensures high yields and supports food security.

Filly: A young female horse. Understanding the care and development of fillies ensures their health and prepares them for productive roles on the farm.

FER: Abbreviation for Farm Environment Record. Keeping an environment record helps farmers monitor and improve their environmental practices.

Foliar Spray: A method of applying pesticides or liquid nutrients as droplets to plant leaves. Using foliar sprays helps protect crops from pests and diseases and ensures optimal nutrient uptake.

Feed Ring: A circular container for forage, from which livestock can feed. Using feed rings helps manage forage intake and reduce waste.

Footpath: A route along which people walk on foot but along which vehicles are not permitted. Managing footpaths supports farm accessibility and safety.

Farm: An area of land used for growing crops and keeping animals to provide food, along with associated buildings. Effective farm management practices ensure productivity, sustainability, and profitability.

Feeding: The action of giving animals food to eat. Proper feeding schedules and practices are crucial for maintaining animal health and productivity.

Foot-and-Mouth Disease: A disease of livestock, especially animals with cloven hooves, characterized by fever and ulcerating cysts. Abbr FMD. Proper monitoring and control measures are essential to prevent the spread of FMD and maintain livestock health.

Fraxinus: The Latin name for the ash tree. Growing Fraxinus trees supports timber production and biodiversity in agroforestry systems.

Flood: A large amount of water covering land that is usually dry, caused by phenomena such as melting snow, heavy rain, high tides, or storms. Managing flood risks and implementing flood control measures help protect farmland and infrastructure.

Farm Trail: A walking trail around a farm open to the public. Farm trails can promote agri-tourism, educate the public, and provide additional income for farmers.

Family: A group of genera with some characteristics in common. Understanding plant and animal families helps farmers with breeding, cultivation, and pest management.