Category: I

I symbol: Iodine – a chemical element essential to the body, especially to the functioning of the thyroid gland, and is found in seaweed. Knowledge of iodine is important for farmers to ensure the health of livestock and prevent deficiencies.

inspection: A careful check to see if something is in the correct condition or if there are problems. Animal welfare codes lay down rules on how closely animals such as laying hens should be inspected in order to ensure that they are healthy. Helps farmers maintain health and safety standards.

immunoassay: A technique for measuring the amount of antigens and antibodies in tissue. Helps farmers and researchers monitor and manage animal and plant health.

International Coffee Agreement: An agreement between countries to stabilize the price of coffee. Abbr ICA. Helps coffee farmers by providing market stability.

integrated pest management (IPM): A pest control strategy that uses a combination of techniques to minimize pest damage while reducing the use of chemical pesticides. Implementing IPM can improve crop health and sustainability.

IGER: Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research – a research organization in the field of land use and conservation. Helps farmers adopt sustainable grassland management practices.

ITE: Institute of Terrestrial Ecology. Helps farmers access ecological research for better land management.

importer: A person or company which imports produce. A grain importer. Helps farmers understand the supply chain and market dynamics.

insecticide: A substance which is used to kill insects. Helps farmers control insect pests.

invertebrate pests: Pests such as grain mites and storage insects such as saw-toothed beetles and the grain weevil, which cause considerable damage to crops in tropical or warm temperate areas. Helps farmers identify and control invertebrate pests.

inject: To put a liquid into an animal’s body under pressure, by using a hollow needle inserted into the tissues. The cow was injected with antibiotics. Helps farmers administer medications and vaccinations to livestock.

intestine: The digestive canal between the stomach and the anus or cloaca in which food is digested and absorbed. Helps farmers understand animal digestive systems and nutrition.

ICM: Integrated crop management – an approach to growing crops that combines traditional good farm husbandry with reduction in the use of agrochemicals and considers the impact of farming practices on the environment. Benefits farmers by promoting sustainable practices.

indigenous: Native to a place. There are six indigenous species of monkey on the island. Bluebells are indigenous to the British Isles. Helps farmers select crops and livestock suited to the local environment.

in-: Prefix used to refer to a pregnant female animal. In-calf, in-pig, in-foal – a cow, sow or mare which is going to have young. Helps farmers understand and manage animal pregnancy.

immunoglobulin: A protein produced by specific white blood cells that acts as an antibody in immune responses. Abbr Ig. Important for livestock health and disease management.

in-milk: Lactation period of a cow. Helps farmers manage dairy production.

IPPC: Integrated pollution prevention and control. Helps farmers manage environmental impact of farming practices.

infection: 1. The process of a microorganism entering a host organism and causing disease. 2. A disease caused by a microorganism. She is susceptible to minor infections. West Nile fever is a virus infection transmitted by mosquitoes. Helps farmers manage and treat infections in crops and livestock.

iron: A metallic element that is essential to biological life and is an essential part of human diet. Iron is found in liver, eggs, etc. Helps farmers manage livestock and human nutrition.

in-ground valuation: The value of tillages or cultivations including direct costs of seed, fertilizer and spray. Helps farmers assess the value of agricultural practices.

injection: 1. The forcing of fluid into something. Power output can be boosted to a value over 100% maximum power, by the injection of a water methanol mixture at the compressor inlet or at the combustion chamber inlet. 2. The act of injecting a liquid into a body using a syringe. 3. A preventative measure against a particular disease. A TB injection. 4. The introduction of something new or stimulating. Helps farmers understand different applications of injections in agriculture.

intensive animal breeding: A system of raising animals in which livestock are kept indoors and fed on concentrated foodstuffs, with frequent use of drugs to control the diseases which tend to occur under these conditions. Helps farmers manage intensive livestock production.

isoproturon: A herbicide used on cereals that is found as a contaminant of surface water. Helps farmers understand herbicide use and environmental impact.

intensification: The use of intensive farming methods. Intensification of farming has contributed to soil erosion. Compare extensification. Helps farmers understand the impact of intensive farming on the environment.

International Coffee Organization: An international organization set up to stabilize the international market in coffee by holding buffer stocks to offset seasonal differences in production quantities. Abbr ICO. Provides market stability for coffee farmers.

IUCN – The World Conservation Union: A union of 140 countries that generates scientific knowledge, advice and standards on environmental subjects and monitors the status of species, publishing findings in its Red Lists. Helps farmers understand global conservation efforts.

infected area: A place where animals must be kept in isolation as a result of a notice issued by the Animals Inspector when an animal is suspected or known to have a notifiable disease. Helps farmers implement biosecurity measures.

intensive livestock production: A specialized system of livestock production where the livestock are housed indoors. This system can be started up at any time of the year. Disease hazards are those related to diet and permanent housing for the whole of the animal’s life. Helps farmers manage indoor livestock production.

imbalance: 1. A situation where the balance between a set of things is unequal. Lack of vitamins A and E creates hormonal imbalances in farm animals. 2. A situation where one species is dominant. Helps farmers manage animal health and biodiversity.

infectivity: The state of being infective. Helps farmers understand and control the spread of infectious diseases.

intermuscular: Referring to something which is between muscles. Helps farmers understand animal anatomy and meat quality.

IPU: Isoproturon. A herbicide used on cereals that is found as a contaminant of surface water. Helps farmers understand herbicide use and environmental impact.

inorganic acid: An acid which comes from a mineral. Helps farmers understand chemical properties and applications.

intensive farming: A farming system that uses high levels of inputs, such as labor, fertilizers, and capital, to achieve high yields. Intensive farming can increase productivity but requires careful management to avoid environmental degradation.

intensity: The degree to which land is used. Helps farmers optimize land use.

import: 1. To introduce new things from elsewhere. 2. To buy crops or produce in foreign countries and bring them back into the home country. They import dates from North Africa. Knowledge of imports helps farmers diversify their produce and meet market demands.

insemination: The introduction of sperm into the vagina. Helps farmers understand and apply artificial insemination techniques.

integrated pollution control: An approach which looks at all inputs and outputs from a process that is likely to cause pollution and regulates other factors as well as emissions. Abbr IPC, IPPC. Helps farmers manage environmental impact of farming practices.

infest: (of pests) To be present somewhere in large numbers. Pine forests are infested with these beetles. Plants that have been infested should be dug up and burnt. Helps farmers manage pest infestations.

inseminate: To impregnate, by introducing male spermatozoa into the female’s body so that they link with the female’s ova. Helps farmers manage breeding programs.

International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics: An organization established in 1972 at Hyderabad, India. Abbr ICRISAT. Farmers benefit from research on crops suited to semi-arid conditions.

IPC: Integrated pollution control. Helps farmers manage environmental impact of farming practices.

intramuscular: Referring to something which is inside the muscle, as intramuscular fat in meat. Helps farmers understand animal anatomy and meat quality. Compare intermuscular.

IACS: Integrated Administration and Control System – measures intended to combat fraud in aid applications and ensure fair competition in Europe, part of the CAP reforms of 1992. Helps farmers comply with regulations and secure necessary subsidies.

incompatible: Unable to cross-fertilize and produce offspring. Helps farmers understand breeding limitations and compatibility.

invertebrate: An animal that has no backbone. Helps farmers understand the role of invertebrates in agriculture. Compare vertebrate.

irrigate: To supply water to land to allow plants to grow, by channels, pipes, sprays or other means. Helps farmers manage irrigation practices.

IACR: Institute of Arable Crops Research – a research group based in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, which investigates techniques in crop growing. Farmers can benefit from the latest research and advancements in arable crop management.

infect: 1. (of an organism) To enter a host organism and cause disease. The new strain has infected many people, and the disease is spreading fast. All these plants have been infected by a virus. 2. To contaminate something with a microorganism that causes disease. Helps farmers manage disease prevention and control in crops and livestock.