Category: H

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.

HDC: Abbreviation for Horticultural Development Council. Engaging with HDC can provide farmers with valuable research and support for horticultural practices.

Higher Level Stewardship: One of the categories under the Environmental Stewardship scheme, where farmers can apply for funding in return for implementing complex environmental management schemes on their land. Abbr HLS. Utilizing HLS can provide financial incentives for sustainable farming practices.

Hosier system: A system of dairy cattle management, where the milking of cows is done in the field using a milking pail. Implementing the Hosier system can improve milking efficiency and cow comfort.

herb: A plant that is used to add flavor in cooking or has medicinal properties. Growing herbs can diversify farm products and provide additional income streams.

headland: An uncultivated area of soil at the edge of a field, where a tractor turns when ploughing. Managing headlands effectively can improve field operations and reduce soil compaction.

hatchery: A place where eggs are kept warm artificially until the animal inside becomes mature enough to break out. Running a hatchery efficiently can provide farmers with a steady supply of healthy chicks, improving poultry production.

hereditary: Referring to a genetically controlled characteristic that is passed from parent to offspring. Understanding hereditary traits helps farmers select for desirable characteristics in breeding programs.

hedgecutter: An implement attached to a tractor, used to trim hedges. Using hedgecutters ensures efficient and safe hedge maintenance, promoting healthy growth and clear field boundaries.

Hampshire: An American breed of black-haired pig with white markings. It is similar to the British Saddleback which has black skin and a white saddle. Raising Hampshire pigs can provide farmers with a robust breed known for its meat quality and adaptability.

harvest: The time when a crop is gathered. Effective harvesting techniques help maximize crop yield and quality, leading to better profitability for farmers.

hammer mill: A machine used in the preparation of animal feed by grinding cereals into meal. Using a hammer mill helps farmers produce consistent and high-quality animal feed, improving livestock nutrition and productivity.

hay rake: An implement used for raking hay prior to collection or baling. Using a hay rake improves the efficiency of haymaking, saving time and labor.

home farm: A farm on a large estate, usually farmed by the owner. Properly managing home farms supports farm productivity and sustainability.

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.

haystack: A heap of hay, built in the open air and protected by thatching. Building haystacks can provide long-term storage for hay, ensuring a steady feed supply for livestock.

HFCS: Abbreviation for high fructose corn syrup. Producing HFCS can add value to corn crops and provide an additional revenue stream for farmers.

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.