Category: F

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.

Flying Flock: A flock of sheep imported onto a farm for a time, normally for less than a year, and then sold. Managing flying flocks supports flexible farming operations and market responsiveness.

Fluorosis: A condition caused by excessive fluoride in drinking water or food, causing discoloration of the teeth and affecting milk yields of cattle. Monitoring and managing fluoride levels help prevent fluorosis and maintain livestock health.

Fowl: A bird, especially a hen, raised on a farm for food. Properly managing fowl ensures high-quality meat and egg production.

Fork: A common hand implement for turning over soil and lifting out weeds. Properly using forks supports efficient soil management and weed control.

Food and Veterinary Office: A committee working for the European Commission advising on policy in the food safety and quality, veterinary, and plant health sectors. Abbr FVO. This office provides valuable guidance to farmers on best practices for food safety and animal health.

Farm Service Agency: A government agency providing information and support for farmers in the United States, part of the USDA. Abbr FSA. This agency offers resources and programs to help farmers improve their operations and manage risks.

Flex-Fuel: Referring to a vehicle designed to run on petrol, an alcohol-based fuel such as ethanol, or any combination of the two. Using flex-fuel vehicles supports sustainable energy use and reduces reliance on fossil fuels.

Flora: The wild plants that grow naturally in a specific area. Compare fauna. Protecting flora supports biodiversity and ecological balance on farms.

Fish: A cold-blooded vertebrate that lives in water. Some species are eaten for food. Fish are high in protein, phosphorus, iodine, and vitamins A and D. White fish have very little oil. Aquaculture and fish farming provide farmers with valuable protein sources and diversify farm income.

Fascioliasis: A disease caused by an infestation of parasitic liver flukes. Farmers must monitor and treat livestock for fascioliasis to maintain herd health and productivity.

Finishing Ration: Feed given to animals to prepare them for slaughter. A finishing ration includes silage, beet pulp, and by-products such as outsize carrots. Proper formulation of finishing rations ensures optimal growth and meat quality.

Food Pyramid: A chart of a food chain showing the number of organisms at each level. Understanding food pyramids helps farmers manage ecosystems and support biodiversity on their farms.

Fowl Pest: A viral disease of chickens. Proper monitoring and control measures are essential to prevent the spread of fowl pest and maintain poultry health.

Flood Irrigation: A method of irrigation using water brought down by a river in flood. The floodwaters are led off into specially prepared basins. Proper flood irrigation techniques ensure efficient water use and crop irrigation.

Family Farm: A farm unit owned and operated by one family. Family farms often focus on sustainable practices and community-oriented farming.

Food Advisory Committee: A UK agency advising ministers on matters relating to the labeling, composition, and safety of food. Abbr FAC. This committee helps ensure food safety and quality, benefiting farmers and consumers.