Category: H

herdsman: Someone who looks after a herd of animals. Skilled herdsmen are essential for maintaining the health and productivity of livestock.

hawthorn: A small tree (Crataegus monogyna) with spiny shoots, used for hedges around grazing areas. Planting hawthorn hedges can provide natural barriers, improve biodiversity, and offer forage for wildlife.

hydroelectric power: The electricity produced by using a flow of water to drive turbines. Also called hydropower. Utilizing hydroelectric power provides a renewable energy source for farm operations.

hatchery waste: Surplus chicks or embryos produced in a hatchery. Proper management of hatchery waste ensures compliance with animal welfare standards and reduces environmental impact.

hay baler: A machine which gathers cut hay and makes it into bales. Using a hay baler increases efficiency in haymaking, saving time and labor while producing consistent bales.

husk: The dry outer covering of cereal grains, which has little food value, and which is removed during threshing. Properly managing husks ensures efficient processing and use of cereal grains.

hackles: The long feathers on the neck of a domestic cock. Understanding poultry anatomy, such as hackles, helps in the breeding and care of chickens for improved egg and meat production.

herdsperson: A farm worker who looks after a herd of livestock. Herdspersons play a crucial role in daily livestock management and welfare.

herbage mass: The weight of herbage produced in a specified area. Measuring herbage mass helps farmers assess pasture productivity and plan grazing rotations.

herbaceous: Referring to plants with soft non-woody tissue that die down above ground to survive through the winter. Understanding herbaceous plants helps farmers select appropriate species for seasonal growth and landscaping.

host: A plant or animal on which a parasite lives. Managing host species effectively prevents parasite infestations and supports farm health.

hold: To conceive after artificial insemination. Managing breeding programs effectively ensures successful conception and herd growth.

homograft: Same as allograft. Understanding homografts supports research and veterinary practices.

haymaking: The cutting of grass in fields to make hay. Effective haymaking ensures a high-quality feed source for livestock, promoting their health and productivity.

hay net: A coarse meshed net bag which is filled with hay and hung up for horses to feed from. Using hay nets can help manage feed distribution and reduce waste in horse feeding.

HSA: Abbreviation for Humane Slaughter Association. Supporting HSA initiatives ensures the humane treatment of livestock and compliance with animal welfare standards.

hoof: A horny casing of the foot of a horse, a cow, or other animals. Ensuring the health of hooves in livestock supports their overall mobility and productivity.

human-caused: Referring to a disaster or event which has been brought about by human beings. Understanding and preventing human-caused disasters supports farm safety and sustainability.

hill: An area of ground higher than the surrounding areas but not as high as a mountain. Managing hill areas effectively supports grazing livestock and prevents soil erosion.

hydrated: Referring to a chemical compound in which water is bound. Properly managing hydration in livestock and crops ensures their health and productivity.

herbarium: A collection of preserved plant or fungal specimens, especially one that is used for scientific study and classification. Creating and maintaining a herbarium can support research and education in plant sciences.

husband: To use a resource carefully. Practicing husbandry supports sustainable farm management and resource conservation.

horsetail: A poisonous weed found in grassland. Managing horsetail on farmland ensures healthy pasture and crop growth.

hay quality: The nutritional value of hay, which can depend on the weather conditions and the time taken to dry. Ensuring high hay quality provides better nutrition for livestock, improving their health and productivity.

Hybu Cig Cymru: The red meat promotion board for Wales. Abbr HCC. Supporting HCC initiatives can help farmers improve their meat production practices and market reach.

HLS: Abbreviation for Higher Level Stewardship. Utilizing HLS can provide financial incentives for sustainable farming practices.

hydrostatic pressure: The pressure of water that is not moving. Understanding hydrostatic pressure supports proper water management and infrastructure on the farm.

hydrology: The study of water, its composition and properties, and in particular the place of water in the environment. Understanding hydrology supports proper water management and sustainability on the farm.

harvester: A machine which harvests a crop. Using modern harvesters improves efficiency and reduces labor costs, enhancing overall farm productivity.

hogg: A young sheep before the first shearing. Properly managing hoggs ensures healthy growth and productivity of the flock.

haemoglobin: A red protein in red blood cells that combines reversibly with oxygen and transports it round the body. Abbr Hb. Monitoring haemoglobin levels in livestock can help farmers detect and treat health issues, ensuring animal welfare and productivity.

hypocalcaemia: Same as milk fever. Preventing and managing hypocalcaemia ensures the health and productivity of dairy livestock.

hinge: Soil which is left uncut by a plough when it has failed to cut a full furrow. Understanding and managing hinge soil ensures proper ploughing and field preparation.

half-breed: An animal of mixed breed, mainly applied to crossbred sheep. Crossbreeding can produce animals with desirable traits such as disease resistance and improved productivity.

honey bee: A common hive-bee. Raising honey bees supports pollination and provides farmers with honey and other bee products.

hydrophyte: A plant that lives in water or in marshy conditions. Growing hydrophytes supports farm biodiversity and wetland management.

hookworm: A parasitic worm in the intestine which holds onto the wall of the intestine with its teeth and lives on the blood and protein of the carrier. Managing hookworm infestations ensures the health and productivity of livestock.

herd book: The record of animals kept by breeding societies in which only the offspring of registered animals can be recorded. Maintaining a herd book helps farmers track pedigrees and improve breeding programs.

hedge: A row of bushes planted to provide a barrier around a field or garden. Planting and maintaining hedges can provide natural windbreaks, improve biodiversity, and prevent soil erosion.

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

honey: A sweet yellow fluid collected by bees from nectar in flowers, and stored in a beehive. Producing honey provides farmers with a valuable product and supports pollination.

HAP: Abbreviation for habitat action plan. Creating and implementing a habitat action plan helps farmers conserve biodiversity and improve the ecological balance on their farms.

horizon: A layer of soil which is of a different color or texture from the rest. Understanding soil horizons helps farmers manage soil health and fertility.

hydrostatic pressure: The pressure of water that is not moving. Understanding hydrostatic pressure supports proper water management and infrastructure on the farm.

hand collection: Hand picking of fruit such as bananas or peaches. Hand collection ensures gentle handling of delicate fruits, reducing damage and increasing marketable yield.

hackney: A type of horse used both for riding and as a draught animal. Hackney horses can be versatile assets on farms, useful for both transportation and work purposes.

herd register: An official record of a herd’s movements, medical history, and birth and death figures. Keeping a herd register helps farmers manage livestock effectively and comply with regulatory requirements.

hay: Grass mowed and dried before it has flowered, used for feeding animals. Producing high-quality hay ensures a nutritious feed source for livestock, contributing to their health and productivity.

hilum: The point where a seed is attached to a pod. When the seed is ripe and has been separated from the pod, a black scar can be seen on the seed. Understanding seed anatomy helps farmers in planting and breeding programs.

homestead: A farmhouse with dependent buildings and the land which surrounds it. Properly managing homesteads supports farm productivity and sustainability.