Category: H

horsebox: A closed vehicle used for transporting horses. Using horseboxes ensures the safe and efficient transport of horses.

haylage: Hay for silage, cut and compressed in plastic bags so that it stays green without any fungus being able to spread. Producing haylage provides a high-quality feed source that retains more nutrients than traditional hay, benefiting livestock nutrition.

high-performance: Designed to operate very efficiently. Utilizing high-performance equipment and practices can maximize farm productivity and efficiency.

Hagberg: Hagberg test, a test used to determine the milling quality of wheat. Using the Hagberg test, farmers can ensure their wheat meets quality standards, leading to better market prices and higher profitability.

horse bean: A broad bean used as a fodder. Growing horse beans provides a nutritious feed source for livestock.

hybrid vigour: Same as heterosis. Using hybrid vigour in breeding programs can improve livestock and crop performance.

hen in lay: A bird which is laying eggs. Ensuring the health and proper nutrition of hens in lay maximizes egg production and quality.

hide: The skin of an animal, which is important commercially both in its raw state and as leather. Properly managing and processing hides can provide additional income for farmers.

HTST method: Abbreviation for high temperature short time method. Using HTST pasteurization ensures milk safety and quality, protecting consumer health.

homogenized milk: Milk which is made more digestible by breaking up the fat droplets into smaller particles which are evenly distributed through the liquid. Using homogenized milk processes ensures milk quality and consumer satisfaction.

hypomagnesaemia: A condition caused by a lack of magnesium in the bloodstream that makes animals shiver and stagger. Cattle may be affected shortly after being turned out onto spring pastures after having wintered indoors. Also called grass staggers. Preventing and managing hypomagnesaemia ensures the health and productivity of livestock.

hyphae: Long thin filaments which make up a typical fungus. Understanding hyphae supports effective fungal management and soil health.

highland: Referring to a hilly or mountainous area. Highland vegetation is mainly grass, heather, and herbs. Managing highland areas effectively supports grazing livestock and biodiversity.

header: A machine which removes the seed heads from plants. Using a header improves harvesting efficiency and crop quality.

hornbeam: A tree which produces very hard wood, formerly used in making wheels for farm carts. Growing hornbeam provides farmers with valuable timber and supports biodiversity.

horticulturist: A person who specializes in horticulture. Skilled horticulturists support farm productivity and sustainability through specialized knowledge and practices.

hygiene: The state or practice of being clean and keeping healthy conditions. Maintaining good hygiene practices ensures the health and productivity of livestock and farm workers.

horticultural: Referring to horticulture. Developing horticultural skills and practices supports farm productivity and sustainability.

hardjo: Leptospira hardjo. Monitoring and managing Leptospira hardjo infections in livestock helps prevent economic losses and ensures the health of the herd.

haunch: The hind leg of an animal, especially a deer. Understanding the anatomy of animals like deer helps farmers manage and process meat more effectively.

haulm silage: Silage made from the stems and leaves of peas and beans left after harvest. Producing haulm silage can provide a valuable feed source for livestock, improving farm sustainability.

habitat restoration: Activity carried out to return an area to a former more favorable condition for wildlife. Restoring habitats can enhance farm productivity by improving pollination and pest control through natural processes.

habitat: The type of environment in which a specific organism lives. Knowing the habitat needs of crops and livestock ensures they are grown or raised in optimal conditions, leading to healthier and more productive farming.

hogget: A sheep roughly six to twelve months old. Raising hoggets provides farmers with a valuable source of meat and wool.

herbicide: A chemical that kills plants, especially used to control weeds. Proper use of herbicides helps farmers manage weeds effectively, ensuring healthy crop growth and higher yields.

hide-bound: A condition where dehydration makes it difficult for the animal’s skin to move over the underlying tissues. Preventing hide-bound conditions ensures the health and well-being of livestock.

harden off: To make plants which have been raised in a greenhouse become gradually more used to the natural temperature outdoors. Hardening off plants ensures they can withstand outdoor conditions, leading to better survival and growth rates.

hyperphosphate: A soft rock phosphate obtained from North America. Using hyperphosphate improves soil fertility and supports healthy crop growth.

hindquarters: The back part of an animal, including the haunches and hind legs. Managing the hindquarters of livestock effectively ensures proper meat processing and quality.

hydrocarbon: A compound formed of hydrogen and carbon. Understanding hydrocarbons supports environmental health and sustainability on the farm.

horseshoe: An iron shoe nailed to the hard part of a horse’s hoof. Properly fitting horseshoes ensures the health and mobility of horses.

hitch: The mechanism for connecting implements to tractors. Properly using hitches ensures the safe and efficient operation of farm equipment.

heavy soils: Soils with a high clay content, which need more tractor power when ploughing and cultivating. Managing heavy soils effectively improves crop growth and soil health.

honeycomb: A construction of wax, made by bees for storing honey. Maintaining healthy honeycombs ensures efficient honey production and supports bee colony health.

health and welfare plan: A written report made by a farmer in consultation with a vet, describing how livestock will be cared for. Creating a health and welfare plan ensures the well-being of livestock and compliance with animal welfare standards.

half-standard: A type of fruit tree with a trunk shorter than that of a full standard, about 1.2m from the ground to the first branches. Planting half-standard fruit trees can make harvesting easier and more efficient for farmers.

head corn: The largest grains in a sample of cereal. Selecting head corn for planting can improve crop yields and quality.

Hisex Brown/Hisex White: A hybrid breed of laying fowl. Raising Hisex breeds provides farmers with efficient egg production and resilient poultry.

hen: A female of the common domestic fowl. Raising healthy hens ensures a steady supply of eggs and poultry meat for the farm.

humus: The fibrous organic matter in soil, formed from decomposed plants and animal remains, which makes the soil dark and binds it together. Using humus improves soil fertility and supports healthy crop growth.

honeycomb: A construction of wax, made by bees for storing honey. Maintaining healthy honeycombs ensures efficient honey production and supports bee colony health.

hygrometer: An instrument used for the measurement of humidity. Using hygrometers supports proper growing conditions for crops and livestock.

hl: Abbreviation for hectolitre. Understanding hectolitre measurements helps farmers manage liquid volumes effectively.

heterosis: An increase in size or rate of growth, fertility or resistance to disease found in offspring of a cross between organisms with different genotypes. Also called hybrid vigour. Using heterosis in breeding programs can improve livestock and crop performance.

hundredweight: A measure of weight of dry goods such as grain. Abbreviated after numbers to cwt: 5cwt. The British hundredweight is equivalent to 50.8kg, and the US hundredweight is equivalent to 45.4kg. Understanding hundredweight measurements helps farmers manage crop yields and storage.

hydrophobia: Same as rabies. Preventing and managing hydrophobia ensures the health and safety of livestock.

hybridise: To produce hybrids by crossing varieties of plants or animals. Practicing hybridisation improves crop and livestock performance and productivity.

hay fever: Same as pollinosis. Managing hay fever effectively can improve the health and productivity of farm workers during peak haymaking seasons.

heart: A muscular organ that pumps blood round an animal’s body. Ensuring the health of livestock hearts through proper nutrition and care improves their overall productivity.

herbage: The green plants, especially grass, eaten by grazing animals. Maintaining healthy herbage ensures nutritious feed for livestock and supports their growth and productivity.