Category: L

Leader: A leader is an animal which goes first, leading the flock or herd. Understanding animal behavior and leadership dynamics can improve herd management.

Lavender: Lavender is a shrub (Lavandula officinalis) with small lilac-colored flowers and narrow leaves, cultivated for perfume. Growing lavender can provide farmers with high-value essential oils and aromatic products.

Land Use Classification: Land use classification is the classification of land according to the way it is used. Knowing land use classification assists farmers in optimizing land use and adhering to agricultural policies.

Lyophilise: To lyophilise or lyophilize means to preserve food by freezing it rapidly and drying in a vacuum. Utilizing lyophilization can improve food preservation and extend the shelf life of agricultural products.

LEAF: LEAF is an independent organization that promotes better understanding of farming by the public and helps farmers improve the environment by combining the best traditional farming methods with modern technology. Full form Linking Environment and Farming. Partnering with LEAF can enhance sustainable farming practices and public engagement.

Leghorn: Leghorn is an excellent laying breed of hen. It is a hardy bird, colored black, brown, and white. Leghorns produce good-sized white eggs. Raising Leghorn chickens can enhance egg production efficiency and farm profitability.

Local Air Quality Management: Local air quality management is the process of taking steps to improve the air quality in an area where it does not meet accepted standards. Abbr LAQM. Implementing local air quality management practices can enhance the health and well-being of farm workers and livestock.

Ley Farming: Ley farming is a farming system in which fields are left to pasture in rotation. Strictly speaking, ley farming is a system where a farm or group of fields is cropped completely with leys which are reseeded at regular intervals; alternatively, any cropping system which involves the use of leys is called ley farming. Ley farming is an essential part of organic farming. Pasture land is fertilized by the animals which graze on it, and then is ploughed for crop growing. When the land has been exhausted by the crops, it is put back to pasture to recover. Implementing ley farming can enhance soil fertility and support sustainable agriculture.

Landscape Manager: A landscape manager is somebody such as a farmer or landowner who is responsible for the way land is used and looked after. Many farmers find themselves as landscape managers, required to maintain the countryside in an aesthetically and environmentally pleasing condition for the predominantly urban population to enjoy. Managing landscapes effectively enhances environmental sustainability and public enjoyment.

Lambing Percentage: Lambing percentage refers to the number of live lambs born per hundred ewes. Monitoring lambing percentage helps farmers assess the productivity of their flock and make informed breeding decisions.

Lucerne: Lucerne is a perennial, drought-resistant, leguminous plant that is rich in protein. It is mainly used either for green feed for animals or for hay or silage. Latin name: Medicago sativa. The US name is alfalfa. Growing lucerne can provide farmers with a nutritious and resilient crop for animal feed.

Lungworm: Lungworm is a parasitic worm which infests the lungs. Infestation can be cured with anthelmintics. Also called hoose. Managing lungworm infestations through proper treatment and prevention measures can protect livestock health and productivity.

Locus: A locus is the position of a gene on a chromosome. Understanding loci can aid in genetic research and breeding programs.

Lamb’s Foot: Lamb’s foot is another name for parsley piert. Understanding different plant names helps farmers manage their crops and pastures effectively.

Leaching: Leaching is the process by which a substance is washed out of the soil by water passing through it. Preventing leaching through soil management practices can preserve soil nutrients and protect water quality.

Limousin: Limousin is a relatively hardy French breed of beef cattle, developed on the uplands around Limoges in central France. The cattle are red, with large bodies. Limousin bulls are used on dairy cattle producing a good crossbred calf. Raising Limousin cattle can provide farmers with high-quality beef and enhance farm profitability.

Landowner: A landowner is a person who owns land freehold, and may let it to a tenant or farm it himself. Owning land provides farmers with the opportunity to implement long-term agricultural strategies.

Land: Land refers to the solid part of the Earth’s surface. Back to the land is encouragement given to people who once lived in the country and moved to urban areas to return to the countryside. Land is also a section of a field, divided from other sections by a shallow furrow, a term used in systematic ploughing. Proper land management is crucial for sustainable agriculture and maximizing farm productivity.

Land Management: Land management is the use and maintenance of land according to a set of principles for a particular purpose such as the cultivation of crops or recreational activities. Effective land management ensures sustainable and profitable use of agricultural resources.

Liner: A liner is the rubber inner tube of a teat cup in a milking machine. Using liners can improve milking efficiency and hygiene in dairy operations.

Lea: A lea is open ground left fallow or under grass. Using leas as part of crop rotation can improve soil health and fertility.

Low: Low is the same as depression. A series of lows are crossing the North Atlantic towards Ireland. Low also refers to a sound made by a cow. To low means (of a cow) to make a sound. Comparing low with other animal sounds can aid in understanding livestock behavior and communication.

Light Soil: Light soil is soil consisting mainly of large particles which are loosely held together because of the relatively large pore space. Light soil is usually easier to cultivate than heavy soil, but may dry out too quickly. Understanding soil types and their properties can help farmers choose appropriate crops and cultivation methods.

Liquid: Liquid means having a consistency like that of water. Liquid oxygen is stored in cylinders. A liquid is a substance with a consistency like water. Water is a liquid, ice is a solid. Understanding the properties of liquids can aid in effective farm management and product storage.

Long-Day Plant: Long-day plant is a plant that flowers as the days get longer in the spring. Comparing long-day plants with short-day plants can help farmers choose appropriate crops for their climate and growing conditions.

Loose Silky Bent: Loose silky bent is a plant with thin green or purple stems which affects winter cereals (Apera spica-venti). Managing loose silky bent through weed control measures can protect cereal crops and improve yields.

Leptospirosis: Leptospirosis is a disease of cattle caused by bacteria, which causes abortions and low milk yields. It can be carried by sheep or in running water. Managing leptospirosis through vaccination and biosecurity measures can protect livestock health and farm productivity.

landrace: A local variety of a domesticated animal or plant species that has adapted to the natural and cultural environment in which it lives. Preserving landraces helps maintain genetic diversity and resilience in agriculture.

Lean Meat: Lean meat is meat with very little fat. Animals are bred to produce lean meat. Producing lean meat can meet consumer demand for healthier meat options and increase marketability.

Layer’s Cramp: Layer’s cramp is a condition found in pullets after the first few weeks of their laying life. The bird appears weak, but the trouble usually disappears after a few days. Monitoring and managing layer’s cramp can ensure the health and productivity of laying hens.

Land Capability: Land capability is an estimate of the potential of land for agriculture, made on purely physical environmental factors such as climate and soil. In 2004 the total area of agricultural land in the UK was 18,436,000 hectares occupying more than 70% of the total land area. On average only 16.1% of this is Grade 1 or 2. Understanding land capability helps farmers plan appropriate crops and farming techniques for different types of land.

Lesion: A lesion is an open wound on the surface of a plant or on the skin of an animal, caused by disease or physical damage. Properly managing lesions through prompt treatment can prevent infection and promote healing in livestock and crops.

Lantra: Lantra is an organization which works with employers in the agriculture and land industries to ensure that workers in those industries have the necessary skills and training. Partnering with Lantra can help farmers access training and workforce development resources.

Landscape: Landscape refers to the scenery, general shape, structure, and features of the surface of an area of land. Understanding landscape helps farmers manage land aesthetics and environmental impact.

LSULSU: LSULSU stands for livestock unit. Managing livestock units effectively can enhance farm productivity and animal welfare.

Landfill: Landfill refers to the disposal of waste by putting it into holes in the ground and covering it with earth. It also refers to the site where this occurs. The council has decided to use the old gravel pits as a landfill site. Landfill sites can leak pollutants into the groundwater. Properly constructed landfill sites can be used to provide gas for fuel. Managing landfills responsibly prevents environmental contamination and can generate renewable energy.

Liveweight: Liveweight is the weight of a live animal. Comparing liveweight with deadweight can help farmers assess animal growth and market value.

Laxative: A laxative is a substance that encourages movements of the bowel. Succulent food such as root crops have a laxative effect. Understanding the effects of different crops on livestock health can help farmers manage animal nutrition.

Loose Smut: Loose smut is a fungus (Ustilago nuda) affecting wheat and barley. Masses of black spores collect on the diseased heads; the spores are dispersed in the wind, and only a bare stalk is left. Managing loose smut through disease prevention and control measures can protect wheat and barley crops and improve yields.

Leaseback: Leaseback is an arrangement where property is sold and then taken back by the former owner on a lease. Leaseback arrangements can provide farmers with liquidity while retaining use of essential assets.

Lifestyle Farmland Buyer: A lifestyle farmland buyer is somebody who purchases farmland for leisure or investment purposes rather than as a working farmer. Understanding the motivations of lifestyle farmland buyers can help farmers and real estate agents cater to diverse market needs.

Less Favoured Area: Less favoured area is a former name for land in mountainous and hilly areas, which is capable of improvement and use as breeding and rearing land for sheep and cattle. It is now called Disadvantaged or Severely Disadvantaged Areas. The EU now recognizes such areas and gives financial help to farmers in them. Abbr LFA. Understanding and utilizing support schemes for less favoured areas can enhance agricultural development in challenging terrains.

Latex: Latex is 1. a white fluid from a plant such as poppy, dandelion, or rubber tree, and 2. a thick white fluid from a rubber tree, which is treated and processed to make rubber. Understanding latex sources and uses can help farmers diversify crop production.

Leucine: Leucine is an essential amino acid. Understanding amino acids like leucine can help farmers formulate balanced animal feeds.

Leicester Longwool: Leicester Longwool is a breed of large hornless white-faced sheep, used a lot by Robert Bakewell, but now rare. Understanding and preserving rare breeds like Leicester Longwool can enhance genetic diversity and resilience in sheep farming.

Landscape Gardener: A landscape gardener is a gardener who creates a new appearance for a garden. Employing landscape gardeners can enhance the visual appeal and functionality of farm gardens.

Locomotor Disorder: Locomotor disorder is a disease caused by skeletal growth not keeping pace with the rate of muscle development. Managing locomotor disorders through proper nutrition and care can ensure healthy growth in livestock.

Lemon: Lemon is a yellow edible fruit of an evergreen citrus tree (Citrus limon). Lemons have a very tart flavor and are used in flavoring and in making drinks. Growing lemons can provide farmers with a high-value crop for culinary and beverage markets.

Lift: To lift means to harvest root crops such as potatoes by digging them out of the ground. Potatoes can be lifted from the soil and, using a spinner or an elevator digger, left in rows for hand-picking. Efficient lifting techniques can improve harvest efficiency and crop quality.

Link: A link is a measurement, forming one loop of a chain (one-hundredth of a surveying chain, or 7.92 inches). To link means to be related to or associated with something. Health is linked to diet or Health and diet are linked. Understanding measurements and associations can aid in precise farm planning and management.