Category: H

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.

hydrogen: A gaseous chemical element that combines with oxygen to form water, with other elements to form acids, and is present in all animal tissue. Understanding hydrogen supports environmental health and sustainability on the farm.

hard wheat: Wheat with a hard grain rich in gluten. Growing hard wheat varieties can provide farmers with high-quality grain suitable for bread making, increasing their market options.

harrow: A piece of equipment with teeth or discs, used for breaking up soil or leveling the surface of ploughed soil. Using a harrow helps farmers prepare seedbeds efficiently, ensuring better seed germination and crop establishment.

herbivore: An animal that feeds only on plants. Managing herbivores in a farm setting ensures balanced diets and healthy growth for livestock.

hoose: A popular name for a lungworm. Preventing and managing hoose ensures the respiratory health of livestock.

HASSOP: HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points). Implementing HASSOP ensures food safety and quality, which is crucial for maintaining consumer trust and meeting regulatory standards.

hare: A long-eared furry animal, similar to but larger than a rabbit, with hind legs longer than forelegs. Managing hare populations on farmland can help prevent crop damage and maintain ecological balance.

high fructose corn syrup: A sweetener used in the soft drinks industry, extracted from maize. Abbr HFCS. Also called isoglucose. Producing HFCS can add value to corn crops and provide an additional revenue stream for farmers.

hydroponics: The practice of growing plants in a nutrient liquid with or without sand, vermiculite, or other granular material. Using hydroponics improves crop yields and supports sustainable farming practices.

high-input farming: Intensive agriculture which uses fertilizer, pesticides, and modern machinery to guarantee a large crop output. Comparing low-input farming. Understanding high-input farming techniques can maximize crop yields and profitability.

hirsel: A heft of sheep. A piece of ground and flock looked after by one shepherd. Managing hirsels effectively supports traditional grazing practices and sustainable land use.

heath: An area of acid soil where low shrubs such as heather and gorse grow and which are treeless as a result of grazing by animals. Managing heath areas can provide valuable grazing land for livestock.

horsefly: A general name for many bloodsucking Tabanid flies. Managing horsefly infestations ensures the health and well-being of livestock.

holyrope: Same as hemp nettle. Managing holyrope on farmland ensures healthy crop growth and prevents yield loss.

heaves: A condition of horses, where spores from mouldy hay block the animals’ lungs, making breathing difficult. Preventing mould in hay ensures the health and productivity of horses.

hoe: An implement pulled by a tractor to turn the soil between rows of crops, and so to control weeds. Using hoes effectively manages weeds and promotes healthy crop growth.

hardy: Referring to a plant able to tolerate cold weather, especially below 5°C. Selecting hardy plants helps farmers ensure crop survival and productivity in colder climates.

HRI: Abbreviation for Horticulture Research International. Engaging with HRI can provide farmers with valuable research and support for horticultural practices.

hill drainage: Small open channels about ten to sixty meters apart, dug to drain hilly grazing areas. Implementing hill drainage improves pasture conditions and prevents waterlogging.

hake bar: An attachment which links a trailed plough to the tractor. Using appropriate attachments like hake bars improves the efficiency of ploughing, saving time and labor costs.

henhouse: A small wooden building for keeping hens. Properly maintaining a henhouse provides a safe and comfortable environment for hens, improving their health and productivity.

HYV: Abbreviation for high-yielding variety. Growing high-yielding varieties of crops can maximize farm profitability and food production.

hardpan: A hard cement-like layer in the soil or subsoil, which can be very harmful as it prevents good drainage and stops root development. Identifying and managing hardpan layers in soil improves drainage and root growth, enhancing crop yields.

hoof and horn meal: A fertilizer made from animal hooves and horns. Using hoof and horn meal improves soil fertility and supports healthy crop growth.

haulm: The stalks and stems of peas, beans, and potatoes. Utilizing haulm effectively, such as for composting, can enhance soil fertility and reduce waste.

herbage allowance: The weight of herbage per unit of live weight at a point in time. Calculating herbage allowance helps farmers manage grazing efficiently and maintain pasture health.

Holstein: Friesian cattle imported into Canada from Holland at the end of the 19th century, now a breed of dairy cattle, black and white in color. Raising Holstein cattle provides farmers with high milk production and adaptable livestock.

herd tester: A person who tests a dairy herd for butterfat content. Using herd testers ensures the quality of milk produced and helps in maintaining high dairy standards.

hardwood: A slow-growing broad-leaved tree, e.g., oak, teak, or mahogany. Planting hardwood trees can be a long-term investment for farmers, providing valuable timber and contributing to sustainability.

hydrocool: To cool fresh fruit to prevent it from deteriorating during transport to the retail shop or market. Using hydrocooling ensures the quality and freshness of harvested fruit.