Category: L

Livestock Unit: A livestock unit is the part of a farm where livestock are reared. Managing livestock units effectively can enhance farm productivity and animal welfare.

Label: Label is a piece of paper attached to produce, showing the price and other details. It can also be a verb to identify something by using a label. Government regulations cover the labelling of food; it should show not only the price and weight, but also where it comes from, the quality grade, and a sell-by date. Proper labelling ensures that farmers’ products meet regulatory standards and consumer expectations, promoting transparency and trust in the marketplace.

Lactose: Lactose is a sugar found in milk. Understanding lactose is crucial for farmers and dairy producers, especially when catering to markets with lactose-intolerant consumers.

Low-Intensity Land: Low-intensity land is land on which crops are not intensively cultivated. Managing low-intensity land can enhance biodiversity and soil health.

Lop Ears: Lop ears are long ears which hang down on either side of the animal’s head. Understanding animal anatomy, such as lop ears, can aid in livestock management and breeding.

Loghtan: Loghtan refers to Manx Loghtan. Understanding and preserving rare breeds like Loghtan can enhance genetic diversity and resilience in sheep farming.

Let-Down: Let-down refers to the let-down of milk, the release of milk from the mammary gland. The hormone oxytoxin activates the release of milk. The let-down lasts between seven and ten minutes, when the extraction of milk from the udder is easiest. Understanding the let-down process helps dairy farmers optimize milking efficiency.

Leaf Stripe: Leaf stripe is a disease of barley and oats (Pyrenophora graminea) where the young leaves show pale stripes and seedlings often die. Managing leaf stripe through disease prevention and control measures can protect barley and oat crops and improve yields.

Light Sussex: Light Sussex is a dual-purpose breed of poultry, one of the several varieties of the Sussex breed. The birds are white, with black stripes to the feathers of the neck and black feathers on the wings and tail. Raising Light Sussex chickens can enhance poultry production and farm profitability.

Linkage: Linkage is the process of two or more genes situated close together on a chromosome being inherited together. Understanding genetic linkage can help farmers make informed breeding decisions.

Lion Quality: Lion Quality is the symbol used on eggs in the UK to show that they come from a British Egg Industry Council-approved supplier. Adhering to quality standards like Lion Quality can enhance product marketability and consumer trust.

Leptospira Hardjo: Leptospira Hardjo is a bacterium which infects cattle and humans, causing leptospirosis and Weil’s disease. Abbr LH, lep hardjo. Understanding and preventing leptospirosis can protect livestock health and prevent zoonotic diseases.

Lifetime: Lifetime refers to 1. the time during which an organism is alive, and 2. the approximate time it would take for the part of an atmospheric pollutant concentration created by humans to return to its natural level assuming emissions cease. Average lifetimes range from about a week for products such as sulphate aerosols to more than a century for CFCs and carbon dioxide. Also called atmospheric lifetime. Understanding the lifetime of agricultural products and pollutants can help farmers make sustainable decisions.

Leaf Joint: A leaf joint is a point on the stem of a plant where a new shoot may grow. Understanding plant growth points can aid in effective pruning and plant management.

Laying Cage: A laying cage is a specially built cage for laying hens. The cages are arranged in tiers and each cage should allow the birds to stand comfortably, allow the eggs to roll forward, and permit access to food and water, easy cleaning, and easy handling of the birds. Properly designed laying cages can improve poultry welfare and egg collection efficiency.

Linum: Linum is the Latin name for flax. Growing flax can provide farmers with valuable fiber and oil crops.

Landlord: A landlord is the owner of land or a building who lets it to a tenant for an agreed rent. Understanding landlord-tenant relationships helps farmers secure land for agricultural use.

Lazy-Bed: A lazy-bed is a small arable plot used for growing potatoes, cereals, and other crops, found in the West Highlands of Scotland. If the soil is thin, seed potatoes are placed on the surface of the soil and covered with turf. Utilizing lazy-bed farming can optimize crop growth in challenging soil conditions.

Level: Level means having a flat, smooth horizontal surface. It also refers to a relative amount, intensity, or concentration, such as an unsafe level of contamination or reduced noise levels. A level is also a flat low-lying area of usually marshy land, often reclaimed by artificial drainage in parts of Fen Country in Eastern England round the Wash. Maintaining level land can improve water management and crop growth.

Liquefied Petroleum Gas: Liquefied petroleum gas is propane or butane or a combination of both produced by refining crude petroleum oil. Abbr LPG. Liquefied petroleum gas is used for domestic heating and cooking and for powering vehicles. Utilizing liquefied petroleum gas can provide farmers with a clean and efficient energy source.

Laying Hen: A laying hen is a female domestic fowl which is kept primarily for egg production. Raising laying hens can provide a steady source of income from egg sales.

Lupin: Lupin is a leguminous plant (Lupinus polyphyllus) grown as a crop for protein and seed oil. Lupins were originally grown in the UK as green manure on acid sandy soils, and for some sheep folding. They are now grown for grain production. The seeds of lupin contain 30–40% protein and 10–12% edible oil. The white lupin is an early-ripening sweet type but is difficult to harvest and must be combined carefully. Growing lupins can provide farmers with a nutritious and marketable crop for animal feed and oil production.

Larval: Larval refers to the stage of an insect or other animal before it becomes an adult. Proper pest control during the larval stage can prevent crop damage.

Leucocyte: A leucocyte is a white blood cell. Understanding leucocytes and their role in the immune system can aid in managing livestock health.

Land Tenure: Land tenure is the way in which land is owned and possessed. This may be by an individual owning the freehold, by a tenancy agreement between freeholder and tenant, or by a form of community ownership. Understanding land tenure arrangements is essential for securing land rights and planning long-term agricultural investments.

Long-Grain Rice: Long-grain rice is varieties of rice with long grains, grown in tropical climates such as India. Understanding rice varieties like long-grain rice can aid in crop selection and market targeting.

Lactic Acid: Lactic acid is a sugar which forms in cells and tissue, and is also present in sour milk, cheese, and yoghurt. Lactic acid is important for preserving dairy products and adding flavor, helping farmers and producers to create a variety of dairy goods.

Liftings: Liftings refers to crops which have been lifted. Properly managing liftings can improve post-harvest handling and storage.

Line: To line means to cover the inside of a container to prevent the contents from escaping. Landfill sites may be lined with nylon to prevent leaks of dangerous liquids. Properly lining containers can prevent contamination and ensure safe storage of agricultural products.

Lasso: A lasso is a rope with a noose at the end, used to catch cattle. To lasso means to catch cattle using a lasso. Using a lasso is a traditional and effective method for managing livestock.

Lomé Convention: Lomé Convention is an agreement reached in 1975 between the European Community and 66 developing nations (the ACP states). It gives entry into the EU for certain agricultural produce without duty, with sections on guaranteed prices. Cotonou Agreement. Understanding trade agreements like the Lomé Convention can help farmers access new markets and enhance agricultural trade.

Loamy: Loamy refers to soil that is dark, crumbly, and fertile. Managing loamy soil can enhance crop productivity and farm sustainability.

Lamb: Lamb refers to 1. a young sheep under six months of age, and 2. meat from a lamb. To lamb means to give birth to lambs. Most ewes lamb without difficulty, but some may need help. Proper lambing management ensures the health of both ewes and lambs, leading to higher survival rates and better meat production.

Loader: A loader is a machine used to load crops, manure, etc., into trailers or spreaders. The front-end tractor-mounted loader is the most common. Using loaders can enhance farm efficiency and reduce manual labor.

Linuron: Linuron is a residual herbicide which acts in the soil. Managing herbicides like linuron can help farmers control weeds and protect crops.

lactation: The period during which a female mammal produces milk following birth. Managing lactation is crucial for optimizing milk production and ensuring the health of both mother and offspring.

Linch Pin: A linch pin is a pin used to lock an implement onto the three-point linkage at the rear of a tractor. Using linch pins can enhance the safety and efficiency of attaching implements to tractors.

Land Classification: Land classification is the classification of land into categories, according to its value for a broad land use type. In England and Wales, the Defra classification map has five main grades, between Grade 1 (completely suitable for agriculture) and Grade 5 (land with severe limitations, because of its soil, relief, or climate). Knowing land classification assists farmers in optimizing land use and adhering to agricultural policies.

Lambing Sickness: Lambing sickness is a bacterial disease of sheep picked up from the soil, which can cause rapid death. Managing lambing sickness through vaccination and proper hygiene can prevent significant losses in sheep flocks.

Linnaean System: Linnaean system is the scientific system of naming organisms devised by the Swedish scientist Carolus Linnaeus (1707–78). Carl von Linné is another form of his name. The Linnaean system (or binomial classification) gives each organism a name made up of two main parts. The first is a generic name referring to the genus to which the organism belongs, and the second is a specific name which refers to the particular species. Organisms are usually identified by using both their generic and specific names, e.g., Homo sapiens (man) and Felix catus (domestic cat). The generic name is written or printed with a capital letter. Both names are usually given in italics, or are underlined if written or typed. Utilizing the Linnaean system can aid in accurate identification and classification of plants and animals on the farm.

Livestock: Livestock refers to cattle and other farm animals which are reared to produce meat, milk, or other products. Livestock production has increased by 5%. Managing livestock effectively can enhance farm productivity and profitability.

Leather: Leather is the skin of an animal, tanned and prepared for use. Utilizing leather from livestock can add value to animal products and diversify farm income.

Lime: Lime is 1. calcium oxide made from burnt limestone, used to spread on soil to reduce acidity and add calcium, 2. a hardwood tree. Genus: Tilia, and 3. a citrus fruit tree, with green fruit similar to, but smaller than, lemons. Latin name: Citrus aurantifolia. To lime means to treat acid soil by spreading lime on it. Utilizing lime can improve soil health and fertility, supporting crop growth.

Leader-Follower System: The leader-follower system is a system of grazing where priority is given to a group of animals (the leaders) and the crop is later grazed by a second group of animals (the followers). So first-year heifers might be followed by second-year heifers. Implementing the leader-follower system can optimize pasture use and improve livestock health.

Lagoon: A lagoon is a pool of water or other liquid. Slurry can be stored in lagoons. Proper management of lagoons can help farmers handle waste products efficiently and prevent environmental contamination.

Lambing Pen: A lambing pen is a pen in which a ewe is kept when giving birth to lambs. Using lambing pens can provide a safe and controlled environment for ewes during lambing, improving outcomes for both mothers and offspring.

Leaf Spot: Leaf spot is a fungal disease of brassicas, where the leaves develop brown and black patches. Managing leaf spot through disease prevention and control measures can protect brassica crops and improve yields.

Low-Input Farming: Low-input farming or lower input farming is a system of farming based on restricted use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. Implementing low-input farming practices can support sustainable agriculture and reduce environmental impact.

Lifting Unit: A lifting unit is a pair of wheels or a triangular-shaped share, used on a harvester to lift the roots and pass them to the main elevator. Also called lifter. The roots are lifted by being squeezed out of the ground in between the two wheels. The distance between the two wheels or shares can be adjusted to suit the size of the crop. The wheels should be set quite close together at the bottom when harvesting small roots. The wheels run at an angle to each other so that their rims lie close together when in the soil and farther apart at the top. Using lifting units can enhance the efficiency of harvesting root crops.

Lateral: A lateral is a shoot which branches off from the leader or main branch of a tree or shrub. Managing lateral growth helps farmers optimize fruit and nut tree productivity.