Category: I

IFA: Irish Farmers Association – a group representing Irish farmers’ interests. Provides support and advocacy for Irish farmers.

ins: A term used to describe the points where the plough enters the ground when leaving the headland. Helps farmers understand plowing techniques.

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. Abbr IACS. Helps farmers comply with regulations and secure necessary subsidies.

Institute of Arable Crops Research: A research group based in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, which investigates techniques in crop growing. Abbr IACR. Helps farmers benefit from the latest research and advancements in arable crop management.

inocula: Plural of inoculum. Helps farmers understand and apply inoculation practices.

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

International Laboratory for Research on Animal Diseases: An organization established at Nairobi, Kenya in 1974. Abbr ILRAD. Farmers benefit from research on animal diseases.

incorporation: The process of introducing chopped straw, green manure, etc., into the soil as it is being ploughed. Helps farmers improve soil structure and fertility.

impoverish: To reduce the quality of something. To impoverish the soil to make soil less fertile. Overcultivation has impoverished the soil. Helps farmers adopt sustainable practices to maintain soil health.

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.

inorganic herbicide: A herbicide made from inorganic substances such as sulfur. Helps farmers manage weeds using inorganic herbicides.

in-going payment: A sum of money paid by a new tenant for the value of the improvements made by the former tenant of a holding. Helps farmers understand tenancy agreements and land improvements.

import quotas: Limits set to the amount of a type of produce which can be imported. Helps farmers understand trade restrictions and market opportunities.

introduce: To bring something into being or start to use something new. The lab introduced a new rapid method of testing. Helps farmers adopt new technologies and practices.

isolation: The process of keeping infected animals away from others. Helps farmers manage disease control in livestock.

intensively: Using intensive farming methods. Helps farmers adopt intensive farming techniques.

inactive: 1. Not doing anything. 2. (of a chemical) Not reacting with other substances. 3. (of a disease) Not producing symptoms. 4. Biologically inert. Helps farmers understand different states of chemicals and diseases.

isoleucine: An essential amino acid. Helps farmers understand animal nutrition.

itch: A form of mange. Helps farmers identify and treat skin conditions in livestock.

illuviation: The movement of particles and chemicals from the topsoil into the subsoil. Understanding illuviation helps farmers manage soil fertility and health.

internal laying: A condition in hens caused by a fault in the oviduct, which results in the yolks not being passed along the oviduct for covering with membranes and shell. Helps farmers identify and manage reproductive issues in poultry.

Interorganisation Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals: A plan administered by seven participating international organizations, including WHO, to promote the safe use of chemicals. Abbr IOMC. Helps farmers understand and comply with chemical safety standards.

IWC: 1. International Wheat Council. 2. International Whaling Commission. Helps farmers understand agricultural and marine resource regulations.

insect: A small animal with six legs and a body in three parts. Helps farmers identify and manage insect pests.

International Institute of Tropical Agriculture: An organization established at Ibadan, Nigeria in 1965. Abbr IITA. Supports farmers in tropical regions with research and technology.

immature: Referring to an organism or part that is still developing. Helps farmers manage livestock and crop development stages.

immune: Referring to a person, other animal or plant that is not affected by a specific microorganism. This barley strain is not immune to the virus. Helps farmers select disease-resistant crops.

inoculate: To introduce vaccine into a body in order to stimulate the production of antibodies to a particular organism, giving rise to immunity to the disease. The baby was inoculated against diphtheria. Helps farmers protect livestock from diseases.

inhibit: To prevent or limit the effect of something. Cloud cover inhibits cooling of the Earth’s surface at night. Helps farmers understand and manage environmental factors affecting agriculture.

implement: 1. The process of carrying out a plan. 2. A piece of equipment used for a certain job. Helps farmers use the right tools and techniques for agricultural tasks.

industrial crop: A crop grown for purposes other than food, e.g. flax grown for fibre. Helps farmers diversify their production and income sources.

itch mite: An arachnid (Sarcoptes scabiei) which burrows into the animal’s skin, causing itching. Helps farmers identify and control mite infestations.

indigestible: Referring to food which cannot be digested, e.g. roughage. Helps farmers understand animal nutrition and feed composition.

international: Referring to more than one country. Helps farmers understand global agricultural practices and markets.

irrigator: A device for irrigating, e.g. the Baars irrigator. Helps farmers manage irrigation equipment.

infectious bovine rhinotracheitis: Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis – a virus disease of cattle which affects the reproductive, nervous, respiratory or digestive systems. Milk yield is depressed as adults run a high fever. Abbr IBR. Helps farmers manage and prevent this specific cattle disease.

interculture: The practice of mixed cropping, where two or more different crops are grown together on the same area of land. Helps farmers manage crop diversity and soil health.

insect-borne: Referring to infection which is carried and transmitted by insects. Insect-borne viruses. Malaria is an insect-borne disease. Helps farmers manage and prevent insect-borne diseases.

intensive cultivation: Intensive farming. Helps farmers maximize crop production.

intensify: To use intensive farming methods. Helps farmers achieve higher productivity.

import levy: A tax on farm produce which is imported into the EU. Helps farmers understand trade regulations and costs.

integrated farm management: An approach to farming that combines the best of traditional methods with modern technology, to achieve high productivity with a low environmental impact. Helps farmers adopt sustainable farming practices.

intercropping: The growing of crops with different characteristics and requirements on the same area of land at the same time. Helps farmers optimize land use and manage crop diversity.

International Whaling Commission: An international body set up under an agreement signed in 1946 to control the commercial killing of whales. Abbr IWC. Helps farmers understand regulations on marine resources.

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.

Ile de France: A large French breed of sheep, the rams of which are kept to provide crossbred lambs for meat production. Knowledge of sheep breeds helps farmers improve meat production.

introduction: The process of bringing something into being or using something new. The introduction of a new rapid testing method. Helps farmers understand and implement new agricultural innovations.

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

irradiate: To subject something to radiation. Helps farmers use radiation for food preservation and pest control.

inspector: An official whose job is to examine animals, soil, buildings, etc., to see if they conform to government regulations. Helps farmers comply with regulations.