IGER
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.
Agricultural Terms and Helpful Expert Insight
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 animals life. Helps farmers manage indoor livestock production.
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.
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.
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.
inseminate: To impregnate, by introducing male spermatozoa into the females body so that they link with the females 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.
intramuscular: Referring to something which is inside the muscle, as intramuscular fat in meat. Helps farmers understand animal anatomy and meat quality. Compare intermuscular.
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.
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.
interrelay cropping: A cropping system in which the crops are grown in quick succession, so that the succeeding crop is sown in the standing one, some time before it is harvested. Helps farmers optimize crop production and land use.
insect bite: A sting caused by an insect which punctures the skin and in so doing introduces irritants. Helps farmers understand and treat insect bites in livestock.