Category: G

gestation period: The period from conception to birth when a female mammal has live young in her womb. Knowledge of the gestation period is crucial for managing breeding programs and ensuring the health of pregnant livestock.

Gloucester Old Spot: A breed of pig from the Southwest of England, Wiltshire, Somerset, and Gloucester. It is large, with clearly defined black spots on a white coat, and is now a rare breed. Raising Gloucester Old Spot pigs can provide high-quality meat and contribute to the conservation of heritage breeds.

goose: A goose is a large heavy bird, raised for meat, especially for Christmas. Understanding the economic value and market demands for geese can help farmers diversify their production and increase profitability.

green currencies: Green currencies, or green rates, are fixed exchange rates for currencies used for agricultural payments in the EU. Understanding green currencies helps farmers navigate international markets and optimize financial transactions.

groundnut cake: Groundnut cake is the residue left after oil extraction from groundnuts, a valuable protein concentrate for livestock. Using groundnut cake in animal feed improves nutrition and farm productivity.

gene: A unit of DNA on a chromosome which governs the synthesis of one protein and may combine with other genes to determine a particular characteristic. Understanding genetics helps in selective breeding for desirable traits in crops and livestock.

gadfly: A fly that bites cattle, such as the horsefly or bot fly, most common from late May onwards and causing considerable trouble to cattle. Awareness and management of gadflies can help reduce cattle stress and potential injuries, leading to better overall herd health and productivity.

growing point: A growing point is a point on the stem of a plant where growth occurs, often at the tip of the stem or branch. Understanding growing points helps farmers optimize pruning and plant management for better yields.

gleying: A set of properties of soil which indicate poor drainage and lack of oxygen. The signs are a blue-grey color, rusty patches, and standing surface water. Identifying gleying helps farmers address drainage issues and improve soil health.

grain drier: A grain drier is a machine that dries moist grain before storage. Using grain driers prevents spoilage and ensures the grain’s quality, improving marketability and storage efficiency.

ground water: Ground water is water that stays in the top layers of soil or in porous rocks and can collect pollution. Managing ground water resources supports sustainable water use and protects crop health.

gut: Gut is another term for the alimentary canal. Understanding animal digestion helps farmers optimize feed and improve livestock health.

glume blotch: A fungal disease of wheat. Recognizing and managing glume blotch can prevent crop losses and improve wheat yield.

globe: A ball-shaped vegetable such as the globe artichoke or a variety of mangel. Growing globe-shaped vegetables can diversify farm products and provide additional income.

General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade: Full form of GATT. Knowing international trade agreements helps farmers access global markets and improve competitiveness.

groom: A groom is a person who looks after horses. Proper grooming ensures horse health and well-being, supporting equestrian activities and farm operations.

gr: Grain. Knowing grain types and their uses helps farmers produce crops that meet market demands and optimize storage and processing methods.

green tea: Green tea is tea where the leaves are heated to prevent fermentation. Cultivating green tea provides a high-value crop, meeting consumer demand for healthy beverages and enhancing farm profitability.

genetics: The study of the way in which the characteristics of an organism are inherited. Understanding genetics allows farmers to implement effective breeding programs, enhancing the quality and productivity of their livestock and crops.

guinea corn: Guinea corn is sorghum, a versatile crop used for food, fodder, and industrial products. Growing guinea corn diversifies farm production and meets market demands for cereals.

grafting: The process of joining two plants together so that they grow as one. Grafting can improve plant health, increase yields, and produce new plant varieties.

gangrene: A condition in which tissues die and decay, as a result of bacterial action, because the animal has lost blood supply to the affected part of the body through injury. Serious rot affecting potato tubers. Caused by fungi, it spreads in storage. Recognizing and managing gangrene can prevent severe losses in livestock and crops.

government agencies: Government agencies provide specialist advice for farmers, such as ADAS in the UK. Utilizing these resources helps farmers adopt best practices, improve efficiency, and comply with regulations.

Galloway: A hardy breed of completely black hornless cattle, mainly reared for beef. The breed’s hardiness makes it suitable for less fertile land, providing a reliable source of beef.

graminicide: Graminicide is a herbicide that kills grasses. Using graminicides effectively controls grass weeds, improving crop yields and farm productivity.

grazing systems: Grazing systems are different methods of pasture management. Implementing effective grazing systems improves pasture utilization, supports livestock health, and enhances farm productivity.

greenfly: Greenfly is a type of aphid that sucks sap from plants and can multiply rapidly. Managing greenfly infestations protects crops from damage, ensuring higher yields and quality produce.

geest: An infertile sandy lowland region of North and East Germany, covered with heath. Knowledge of geest regions is important for understanding soil fertility and managing land use.

gley: A thick rich soil found in waterlogged ground. Knowledge of gley soils is important for managing drainage and improving soil fertility.

graded seed: Graded seed, such as sugar beet, is separated by rubbing to ensure uniform planting. Using graded seed improves crop uniformity and yield, enhancing farm productivity.

grassland: Grassland is land covered mainly by grasses. Managing grasslands sustainably supports livestock production and preserves biodiversity, benefiting both the environment and the farm.

genetic modification: The alteration and recombination of genetic material under laboratory conditions, resulting in transgenic organisms. Abbr: GM. Genetic modification can create crops with enhanced traits such as pest resistance and increased yield, benefiting farmers by reducing crop losses and increasing productivity.

grouse: A grouse is a small game bird, with two main species in Europe: the black grouse and the red grouse. Raising grouse provides income from game bird markets and supports biodiversity.

gangrene: A condition in which tissues die and decay, as a result of bacterial action, because the animal has lost blood supply to the affected part of the body through injury. Serious rot affecting potato tubers. Caused by fungi, it spreads in storage. Recognizing and managing gangrene can prevent severe losses in livestock and crops.

grain weevil: A grain weevil is a reddish-brown weevil that lays eggs in stored grain, with larvae feeding inside the grain. Managing grain weevils protects stored grain from infestation, ensuring quality and preventing economic losses.

genetic engineering: Same as genetic modification. Abbr: GE. Genetic engineering allows for the development of crops with improved yields, resistance to pests, and better nutritional profiles, benefiting farmers by enhancing productivity and reducing losses.

grain: Grain is the seed of cereal crops such as wheat or maize. Understanding grain production and storage helps farmers maximize yields, ensure quality, and meet market demands.

grazing cycle: A grazing cycle is the length of time between the beginning of one grazing period and the next. Managing grazing cycles optimizes pasture use, preventing overgrazing and promoting regrowth.

glasshouse: A large structure made of glass inside which plants are grown, especially commercially or for scientific purposes. Using glasshouses allows farmers to extend the growing season and produce high-value crops out of season.

groundnut: Groundnut, or peanut, is a grain legume used for vegetable oil production, cooking, salad dressings, margarine, and peanut butter. Growing groundnuts provides valuable income sources and meets market demands for oil and protein.

glanders: A serious contagious disease of horses, no longer present in Britain but still found in Asia and Africa. Recognizing and preventing glanders protects livestock health and prevents the spread of disease.

glume: A small leaf or scale enclosing a grass spikelet. Most grasses have two glumes. Understanding glume structure aids in identifying and managing grass crops.

grazing management: Grazing management involves looking at how land is grazed and optimizing its use. This ensures efficient use of pasture, prevents overgrazing, and maintains soil health, supporting long-term farm productivity.

garden: An area of land cultivated as a hobby or for pleasure, rather than to produce an income. Market garden. Maintaining a garden can provide supplemental income and enhance biodiversity on the farm.

grist: Grist is corn for grinding or malt crushed for brewing. Understanding grist processing helps farmers produce high-quality flour or malt, meeting market demands and improving profitability.

gamekeeper: A person working on a private estate who manages it to provide wild birds and animals for shooting and hunting. Employing a gamekeeper can enhance the profitability and ecological balance of farm estates.

guinea: A guinea is a former British coin equivalent to the present £1.08, used in quoting prices at livestock sales. Understanding historical pricing terms helps farmers navigate livestock markets.

gymnosperm: A gymnosperm is a seed-bearing plant with seeds carried naked on cone scales rather than inside a fruit. Understanding plant types helps farmers manage forestry and crop production.

growing season: The growing season is the time of year when a plant grows. Planning growing seasons ensures optimal crop production and efficient use of resources.

Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition: Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC) covers the proper maintenance of soil, pastureland, stone walls, and hedgerows. Abiding by GAEC ensures sustainable farming practices, preserving the land for future use and enhancing farm productivity.