Category: I

inter-: Prefix between. Helps farmers understand terminology related to interactions.

in utero: In the womb. Helps farmers understand reproductive biology.

ion: An atom or a group of atoms that has obtained an electric charge by gaining or losing one or more electrons. Helps farmers understand chemical properties and soil science.

intensive beef production: The production of a young lean beef animal in a period of less than a year. Helps farmers achieve quick beef production.

intensive: Achieving maximum production from land or animals. Helps farmers increase productivity.

intrinsic factor: A protein produced in the gastric glands which reacts with vitamin B12 controls the absorption of extrinsic factor, and which, if lacking, causes pernicious anemia. Helps farmers manage livestock nutrition.

inorganic fertiliser: An artificially synthesized fertilizer. Helps farmers use inorganic fertilizers to enhance soil fertility and crop production.

ICO: 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. Provides market stability for coffee farmers.

indefinite inflorescence: A type of inflorescence in which the stems bearing the flowers continue to grow. Compare definite inflorescence. Helps farmers understand plant growth patterns.

immunise: To make a person or other animal immune to a specific microorganism by inoculating them. Helps farmers maintain herd immunity and health.

International Cocoa Agreement: An agreement between countries to stabilize the price of cocoa. Abbr ICCA. Ensures fair trade practices and stable income for cocoa farmers.

Institute of Terrestrial Ecology: A former ecological research organization, now merged with the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology. Abbr ITE. Helps farmers access ecological research for better land management.

implementation: The process of carrying out a plan. Helps farmers execute agricultural strategies effectively.

intestinal diseases: Diseases and conditions which affect the intestines of animals, e.g. anthrax, dysentery, parasites, enteritis or swine fever. Helps farmers identify and manage digestive health in livestock.

insectivorous: Referring to an animal or plant that feeds mainly on insects. Pitcher plants and sundews are insectivorous. Helps farmers understand beneficial insectivorous species.

inactivity: The state of not being active. Helps farmers recognize periods of inactivity in crops or livestock and take appropriate action.

irradiation: The use of rays to kill bacteria in food. Helps farmers understand and apply food irradiation techniques.

Italian ryegrass: A short lived ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) which is sown in spring and is very quick to establish. It produces good growth in its seeding year and early graze the following year, and is commonly used for short duration leys. Helps farmers choose suitable grass varieties for grazing.

International Sugar Organization: An international organization formed of sugar-exporting countries. Abbr ISO. Helps sugar farmers understand and navigate the international sugar market.

infectious: Referring to a disease that is caused by microorganisms and can be transmitted to other individuals by direct means. This strain of flu is highly infectious. Compare contagious. Helps farmers understand and prevent the spread of diseases.

International Cocoa Organization: An international organization set up to stabilize the international market in cocoa by holding buffer stocks to offset seasonal differences in production quantities. Abbr ICCO. Supports cocoa farmers’ livelihoods.

indehiscent: Referring to seed pods, fruit or capsules that do not open to release seeds when ripe. Compare dehiscent. Helps farmers manage seed dispersal and crop harvest.

Institute of Food Research: A not-for-profit scientific institute which advises on food safety, diet and health. Abbr IFR. Ensures farmers have access to the latest research on food safety and nutrition.

inorganic pesticide: A pesticide made from inorganic substances such as sulfur. Helps farmers control pests using inorganic pesticides.

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

Institute for Animal Health: A major center for research into infectious diseases in livestock. Abbr IAH. Helps farmers stay informed about and manage livestock health issues.

inwintering: The practice of housing cattle and sheep during the winter months rather than keeping them outdoors. Helps farmers manage livestock housing and health during winter.

intervention price: Same as support price. The intervention price is the price at which the national intervention agencies are obliged to buy up agricultural commodities offered to them. Helps farmers understand price support mechanisms.

iso-: Prefix equal. Helps farmers understand terminology related to equality in scientific terms.

inactivate: To make something unable to act. The ultraviolet component of sunlight inactivates some herbicides. Helps farmers manage chemical usage in agriculture.

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.