Category: H

hand hoe: A garden implement with a small sharp blade, used to break up the surface of the soil or to cut off weeds. Using a hand hoe allows for precise weeding and soil management, which is essential for maintaining healthy crops.

Hill Farm Allowance: A support payment available for owners of hill farms to help with running costs. Abbr HFA. Utilizing HFA can provide financial support for farmers managing hill and upland farms.

Hordeum: The Latin name for barley. Growing Hordeum provides farmers with a valuable cereal crop for food and feed.

hand: A measure used to show the height of a horse. One hand is 10.16cm, and the measurement is taken from the ground to the withers of the horse. Understanding measurements like ‘hand’ helps farmers and breeders accurately describe and assess horse height.

hayloader: An implement for loading hay from the field into a trailer. Using a hayloader improves the efficiency of hay collection and transport, reducing labor costs and time.

HACCP: A process for identifying and controlling hazards within a process, e.g., in the food industry. Full form Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points. Implementing HACCP ensures food safety, which is crucial for maintaining consumer trust and meeting regulatory standards.

habit: The characteristic way in which a specific plant grows. Understanding plant habits helps farmers select appropriate plants for their environment, ensuring better crop success.

hill farm: A farm in mountainous country, with 95% or more of its land classified as rough grazing, mainly for breeding ewe flocks. Managing hill farms effectively supports sustainable grazing and livestock production.

heterozygous: Relating to a cell or organism that has two or more variant forms (alleles) of at least one of its genes. Understanding heterozygosity helps in developing effective breeding strategies.

humidify: To add water vapor to air to make it more humid. Using humidifiers supports proper growing conditions for crops and livestock.

hopper: A container with a hole at the bottom, for holding seed or fertilizer granules. Using hoppers ensures efficient and accurate distribution of seeds and fertilizers.

high-tech: Technologically advanced (informal). Adopting high-tech solutions can improve farm management, productivity, and sustainability.

hothouse: A heated greenhouse. Using hothouses extends the growing season and improves crop yields.

HTA: Abbreviation for Horticultural Trades Association. Engaging with HTA can provide farmers with valuable support and resources for horticultural practices.

herd: A number of animals such as cattle kept together on a farm or looked after by a farmer. Properly managing a herd ensures the health and productivity of livestock.

hand feeding: Hand rearing, the process of bringing up orphaned animals by feeding them with a bottle. Hand feeding orphaned animals ensures their survival and can contribute to the genetic diversity and productivity of the herd or flock.

hedgebank: A raised strip of earth on which a hedge is planted. Managing hedgebanks can enhance field boundaries and provide habitats for wildlife.

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.