Category: H

headfly: A parasitic insect Hydrotaea irritans which mainly affects sheep and can transmit summer mastitis. Managing headfly infestations helps maintain sheep health and productivity.

Herdwick: A mountain breed of sheep, native to the Lake District, which are able to survive in bitter winter conditions. The rams have horns. Raising Herdwick sheep provides farmers with hardy livestock suited to harsh climates.

hack: 1. A riding horse 2. A horse let out to hire. To ride a horse, especially to ride a horse to a show, as opposed to taking the horse in a box. Horses used for hacking can be a source of income for farmers through rentals or participation in local shows and events.

ham: 1. The thigh of the back leg of a pig 2. Meat from this part of the pig, usually cured in brine and dried in smoke. Producing high-quality ham can be a valuable product for farmers to market and sell.

hormonal: Referring to hormones. Properly managing hormonal health in livestock ensures their growth and productivity.

heat: 1. To sow lettuces under heat to sow lettuce seed in a heated greenhouse 2. The period when a female animal will allow mating. Properly managing heat periods in livestock ensures successful breeding and optimal productivity.

humate: A salt that is derived from humus. Using humates improves soil fertility and supports healthy crop growth.

hedgelaying: A traditional method of cultivating hedges, where tall saplings are cut through halfway and then bent over so that they lie horizontally and make a thick barrier. Practicing hedgelaying maintains dense, effective hedges that support wildlife and prevent livestock escape.

holly: An evergreen tree (Ilex aquifolium) producing hard white timber. Growing holly can provide valuable timber and ornamental products for farmers.

homologous pair: A pair of chromosomes in a diploid organism that are structurally similar and have the same arrangement of genes, although they may carry different alleles. Understanding homologous pairs aids in genetic research and breeding programs.

Hampshire Down: A short stocky early-maturing sheep, originating from Berkshire ewe flocks and Southdown rams. Raising Hampshire Down sheep offers farmers a breed known for early maturity and good meat quality.

high-yielding: Producing a large crop. Growing high-yielding varieties of crops can maximize farm profitability and food production.

herdmark: A unique marker assigned to each herd of pigs by Defra and used to identify the animals when being moved from the farm. Using herdmarks ensures traceability and compliance with animal movement regulations.

hop: A climbing plant that has long thin groups of green flowers which are used dried in brewing to add flavor to beer. Growing hops provides farmers with a valuable crop for the brewing industry.

heterotroph: An organism that requires carbon in organic form and cannot manufacture it. Animals, fungi, and some algae and bacteria are heterotrophs. Managing heterotrophic organisms ensures balanced ecosystems and efficient nutrient cycles on the farm.

hydraulic conductivity: The rate at which water can move through soil, used as a factor in soil management. Understanding hydraulic conductivity supports proper soil and water management.

haycock: Formerly, a conical heap of raked hay. Understanding traditional hay storage methods like haycocks can provide insights into sustainable practices and historical agricultural techniques.

hank: Wool which has been spun into a thread and coiled into a loop for convenience. A hank is 560 yards long. Using wool hanks helps in the efficient storage and handling of spun wool, making it easier for farmers to process and sell.

HGHG: Abbreviation for heavy grains. Growing heavy grains can provide valuable food and feed resources for farmers.

heartwood: The hard dead wood in the centre of a tree trunk which helps support the tree. Utilizing heartwood from trees can provide valuable timber for various uses.

herbage consumed: The mass of herbage once it has been consumed by grazing animals. Monitoring herbage consumption ensures proper feed management and prevents overgrazing.

Home Grown Cereals Authority: Full form of HGCA. Engaging with HGCA can provide farmers with valuable support and resources for cereal production.

housing: A series of buildings for livestock. Providing proper housing for livestock supports their health and productivity.

hemp nettle: A common weed which affects spring cereals and vegetables. Managing hemp nettle through proper weed control methods ensures healthy crop growth and prevents yield loss.

hungry soil: Soil which lacks nutrients, and so needs large amounts of fertilizer to produce good crops. Managing hungry soil ensures healthy crop growth and high yields.

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.

hemp: A plant used to make rope and that also produces an addictive drug. Growing hemp can provide farmers with valuable fiber for industrial use and contribute to diversified farm income.

humidity: A measurement of how much water vapor is contained in the air. Monitoring humidity supports proper growing conditions for crops and livestock.

home-saved seed: Same as farm-saved seed. Using home-saved seed helps farmers reduce costs and maintain seed quality.

hind: Referring to the back part of an animal. Managing the hindquarters of livestock effectively ensures proper meat processing and quality.

hind legs: The back legs of an animal. Ensuring the health and strength of hind legs in livestock supports their overall mobility and productivity.

hydromorphic soil: Waterlogged soil found in bogs and marshes. Managing hydromorphic soil supports healthy crop growth and prevents waterlogging.

heading date: The average date by which a certain percentage of a crop has formed seed heads. Using heading date information helps farmers plan their planting and harvesting schedules for optimal yields.

hay rack: A wooden frame containing hay, which is placed where livestock can feed from it. Using hay racks helps manage feed distribution efficiently and reduces waste.

hill grazing: Grassland used for sheep and cattle grazing in hilly and mountainous areas. Managing hill grazing effectively supports livestock health and pasture sustainability.

heavy cropper: A tree or plant that produces a large crop of fruit. Selecting heavy croppers can improve fruit yield and profitability for farmers.

heel in: To place plants in a trench and cover with soil until needed for permanent planting. Heeling in plants ensures they remain healthy until they can be properly planted, improving survival rates.

Hb: Abbreviation for haemoglobin. Monitoring haemoglobin levels in livestock can help farmers detect and treat health issues, ensuring animal welfare and productivity.

hive: A box in which bees are kept. Maintaining hives ensures healthy bee colonies, supporting pollination and honey production.

Half long: A sheep produced by crossing a Cheviot ram with a Blackface ewe. Crossbred sheep like the Half long can combine traits of both breeds, leading to better adaptability and productivity.

histidine: An amino acid which is considered essential in infants and children. Ensuring proper nutrition for livestock supports their growth and productivity.

Hg: Symbol for mercury. Understanding mercury levels is important for maintaining environmental and animal health on the farm.

holdover: A situation where a tenant farmer uses buildings and crops on a farm, after leaving the farm at the end of a tenancy. Managing holdover situations ensures smooth transitions and continued farm productivity.

hatch: To become mature and break out of the egg. Managing the hatching process effectively ensures the healthy growth of poultry, increasing flock productivity.

honey fungus: A fungus which primarily attacks trees and shrubs. Managing honey fungus ensures healthy tree and shrub growth on the farm.

high mortality rate: A high percentage of animals in a group which die. Managing animal health and welfare effectively reduces mortality rates and ensures a productive livestock operation.

hybridisation: The production of hybrids. Practicing hybridisation improves crop and livestock performance and productivity.

hand pulling: The act of pulling weeds or plants out of the ground by hand. Hand pulling weeds helps maintain crop health and reduces the need for chemical herbicides, promoting sustainable farming practices.

hydropower: Same as hydroelectric power. Utilizing hydropower provides a renewable energy source for farm operations.

high tunnel: A type of greenhouse that extends the growing season for crops. Using high tunnels can increase crop production and protect plants from adverse weather conditions.