Category: H

haricot bean: The dry ripe seed of the French bean. Growing haricot beans can provide a nutritious and marketable crop for farmers, contributing to dietary diversity and income.

Hereford: A breed of large, hardy cattle that are deep red in color, with a white head and chest. Herefords are an early-maturing breed, and are important for beef production. Raising Hereford cattle provides farmers with high-quality beef and adaptable livestock.

heat treatment: The use of high temperatures, typically 45°C, to disinfest storage areas or containers. Using heat treatment helps prevent pest infestations and maintain the quality of stored crops.

heft: A group of mountain sheep which graze the same area in which they were born, although not kept in by fences. Managing hefted sheep helps maintain traditional grazing practices and supports sustainable land use.

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

Horticulture Research International: The horticultural research department of the University of Warwick. Abbr HRI. Engaging with HRI can provide farmers with valuable research and support for horticultural practices.

hornless: Without horns. Raising hornless breeds can reduce handling risks and improve livestock management.

holding: Land and buildings held by a freehold or leasehold occupier. Properly managing holdings supports farm productivity and sustainability.

high temperature short time method: The usual method of pasteurizing milk, where the milk is heated to 72°C for 15 seconds and then rapidly cooled. Abbr HTST. Using HTST pasteurization ensures milk safety and quality, protecting consumer health.

halomorphic soil: Soil that contains large amounts of salt. Recognizing and managing halomorphic soils helps farmers prevent crop damage and maintain soil health.

hop mildew: A fungal disease of hops. Preventing and managing hop mildew ensures healthy hop growth and high yields.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise: A business and community development association for the Scottish Highlands. Abbr HIE. Engaging with HIE can provide farmers with support for business and community development in the Scottish Highlands.

heavy grains: Cereal crops such as maize, rye and wheat. Abbr HG. Growing heavy grains can provide valuable food and feed resources for farmers.

hydrochloric acid: An inorganic acid which forms in the stomach and is part of the gastric juices. Properly managing hydrochloric acid levels supports livestock health and digestion.

hybrid: A new form of plant or animal resulting from a cross between organisms that have different genotypes. Growing hybrids can improve crop and livestock performance and productivity.

hay seed: Grass seed obtained from hay. Utilizing hay seed can help farmers establish new pastures and improve soil quality.

hog: A castrated male pig. In the US, any pig. Properly managing hogs ensures healthy and productive livestock operations.

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

haulm roller: A roller found on potato harvesters and grading machinery. Using a haulm roller helps in the efficient separation of haulm from the crop, improving the quality of harvested produce.

handle: A term used to describe the texture or feel of wool. Understanding the handle of wool helps farmers and breeders evaluate the quality of wool, ensuring better pricing and marketability.

heathland: A wide area of heath. Maintaining heathland can provide valuable grazing and support biodiversity.

Health and Safety Executive: A UK government organization responsible for checking people’s working environment. Abbr HSE. Engaging with HSE guidelines helps farmers maintain a safe working environment for themselves and their workers.

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

hull: The outer covering of a cereal seed. Hulls form bran. Properly managing hulls ensures efficient processing and use of cereal grains.

Humane Slaughter Association: A charity which campaigns for animal suffering to be minimized during the slaughter process. Abbr HSA. Supporting HSA initiatives ensures the humane treatment of livestock and compliance with animal welfare standards.

highlands: An area of mountains. Farmers in the highlands mostly raise sheep. Managing highland areas effectively supports grazing livestock and biodiversity.

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.

hedging: The skill of cultivating hedges. Developing hedging skills can help farmers create and maintain effective field boundaries and support local wildlife.

husbandry system: A written plan for looking after a group of farm animals, looking at considerations such as their habitat, diet, medical care, production rates, and general welfare. Developing a husbandry system supports effective livestock management and productivity.

haulm silage: Silage made from the stems and leaves of peas and beans left after harvest. Producing haulm silage can provide a valuable feed source for livestock, improving farm sustainability.

halo-: Prefix salt. Understanding plant adaptations like halophytes (salt-tolerant plants) can help farmers cultivate crops in saline soils.

huller: A kind of threshing machine which removes seeds from their husks. Using hullers ensures efficient seed processing and quality.

husbanding: The activity of using a resource carefully. Practicing husbandry supports sustainable farm management and resource conservation.

hay-sweep: An implement used to collect hay from swaths and carry it to a stack. Using a hay-sweep improves the efficiency of hay collection, reducing labor costs and time.

humification: The breakdown of rotting organic waste to form humus. Practicing humification improves soil fertility and supports healthy crop growth.

Hevea: The Latin name for the rubber tree. Cultivating Hevea can provide farmers with a valuable source of natural rubber.

horsebreaker: A person who trains a horse. Skilled horsebreakers ensure the proper training and handling of horses.

HCC: Abbreviation for Hybu Cig Cymru. Supporting HCC initiatives can help farmers improve their meat production practices and market reach.

hay bale: Hay which has been compressed into a square, rectangular or round bale, so that it can be handled and stored more easily. Using hay bales improves storage efficiency and ease of handling, making it easier to manage livestock feed supplies.

heterotrophic: Referring to a heterotroph. Proper management of heterotrophic organisms supports healthy soil and plant growth.

headage: The number of animals of a specified type, such as cattle, used as a basis for calculating subsidy payments. Understanding headage calculations helps farmers manage their livestock numbers effectively and maximize subsidy benefits.

HGCA: An organization established to improve the production and marketing of UK cereal crops and oilseeds, and to promote research. Full form Home Grown Cereals Authority. Engaging with HGCA can provide farmers with valuable support and resources for cereal production.

horticulture: The cultivation of flowers, fruit, and vegetables in gardens, nurseries, or glasshouses, as a science, occupation, or leisure activity. Practicing horticulture diversifies farm products and provides additional income streams.

hump: The rounded flesh on the back or shoulders of an animal, such as a camel, or certain breeds of cattle. Managing humps in livestock supports their health and well-being.

hydroelectricity: The electricity produced by water power. Utilizing hydroelectricity provides a renewable energy source for farm operations.

HFA: Abbreviation for Hill Farm Allowance. Utilizing HFA can provide financial support for farmers managing hill and upland farms.

headrail: A rail across the front of a cubicle, to which a halter can be attached. Using headrails ensures the safe and secure management of livestock in cubicles.

horn: A hard growth which is formed on the tops of the heads of animals such as cattle, deer, goats, and sheep. Managing horn health in livestock ensures their well-being and productivity.

hop bine: The new shoot of a hop plant, which has to be made to coil round climbing strings. Properly managing hop bines ensures healthy growth and high yields.

humid: Relating to air that contains moisture vapor. Decomposition of organic matter is rapid in hot and humid conditions. Managing humidity ensures proper crop and livestock conditions.