Category: L

Land Agent: A land agent is a person employed to run a farm or an estate on behalf of the owner. Land agents can provide expertise in managing farm operations, improving efficiency and profitability.

Light Leaf Spot: Light leaf spot is a disease (Pyrenopeziza brassicae) which affects oilseed rape, causing light green or pale areas to appear on the leaves. Managing light leaf spot through disease prevention and control measures can protect oilseed rape crops and improve yields.

Laxton’s Superb: Laxton’s Superb is a variety of dessert apple formerly grown commercially in the UK. Growing heritage apple varieties like Laxton’s Superb can attract niche markets and enhance farm diversity.

Ladybird: Ladybird is a beetle of the Coccinellidae family, which is useful to the farmer because it feeds on aphids which would damage plants if they were not destroyed. (NOTE: The US term is ladybug.) Encouraging ladybirds can be a natural pest control method, reducing the need for chemical pesticides.

Land Clearance: Land clearance is the removal of trees or undergrowth in preparation for ploughing or building. Effective land clearance allows farmers to prepare land for cultivation or construction, enhancing farm development.

Laying: Laying is the action of producing eggs. Efficient laying practices can maximize egg production and farm profitability.

Loganberry: Loganberry is a soft fruit, a cross between a raspberry and a blackberry. Growing loganberries can provide farmers with a nutritious and marketable crop.

Larch: Larch is a deciduous European softwood tree that has cones. It is fast-growing and used as a timber crop. Genus: Larix. Growing larch trees can provide farmers with a sustainable source of timber.

Lynchet: Lynchet is 1. a strip of land formed as the result of a movement of soil down a slope as a result of cultivation. Negative lynchets form at the top of the slope and positive lynchets at the bottom. 2. an unploughed strip of land forming a temporary boundary between fields. Lynchets on former prehistoric fields can still be seen in the form of steps on the sides of hills. Understanding lynchets and their formation can aid in effective land management and erosion control.

LaMIS: LaMIS is an abbreviation for Land Management Information Service. Utilizing LaMIS can help farmers access valuable data for better land management decisions.

Labourer: A labourer is a person who does heavy work. Employing labourers can help farmers manage demanding physical tasks, improving efficiency and productivity on the farm.

Laying Period: The laying period is the period during which a hen will continue to lay eggs. This begins at 18 weeks of age and normally lasts for 50 weeks. Understanding the laying period helps farmers plan for continuous egg production.

Laurics: Laurics or lauric oils are oils from palm seed and coconut. Producing lauric oils can add value to palm and coconut farming.

Land Suitability: Land suitability is the suitability of land for a certain agricultural purpose. Land suitability is similar to land capability but defines its usefulness for a particular purpose. Suitability tends to emphasize the positive value of land, while capability emphasizes its limitations. Assessing land suitability helps farmers choose appropriate crops and farming methods.

Lignin: Lignin is the material in plant cell walls that makes plants woody and gives them rigidity and strength. Understanding lignin can help farmers manage plant growth and crop quality.

Ley: A ley is 1. a field in which crops are grown in rotation with periods when the field is sown with grass for pasture. Leys are an essential part of organic farming. 2. land which has been sown to grass for a time. Utilizing leys in crop rotation can improve soil health and fertility.

Lush: Lush refers to vegetation which is thick and green. The cattle were put to graze on the lush grass by the river. Lush tropical vegetation rapidly covered the clearing. Managing lush vegetation can enhance pasture quality and livestock nutrition.

Limb: A limb is the leg of an animal. Proper limb care and management can enhance livestock health and productivity.

Leach: To leach means to be washed out of the soil by water. Excess chemical fertilizers on the surface of the soil leach into rivers and cause pollution. Nitrates have leached into groundwater and contaminated the water supply. Managing leaching through proper fertilizer application can protect water quality and soil health.

LFALFA: LFALFA stands for less favoured area. Understanding less favoured areas can help farmers access support and resources for agricultural development.

Lockjaw: Lockjaw is the same as tetanus. Preventing lockjaw through vaccination and proper hygiene can protect livestock health and productivity.

Layering: Layering is 1. a method of propagation where the stem of a plant is bent until it touches the soil, and is fixed down on the soil surface until roots form, and 2. a process by which the half-cut stems of hedge plants are bent over and woven around stakes set in the ground to form a new hedge. Utilizing layering techniques can enhance plant propagation and hedge formation.

LPGLPG: LPGLPG stands for liquefied petroleum gas. Utilizing liquefied petroleum gas can provide farmers with a clean and efficient energy source.

Leguminosae: Leguminosae is a family of plants including peas and beans that produce seeds in pods. Growing leguminous plants can improve soil fertility and provide nutritious crops for market sales.

Land Consolidation: Land consolidation is joining small plots of land together to form larger farms or large fields. Consolidating land can improve farm efficiency and scalability, making it easier to manage and cultivate.

Licence: A licence is an official document which allows someone to do something. Understanding licensing requirements can help farmers comply with regulations and operate legally.

Lambing Tunnel: A lambing tunnel is a covered enclosure for ewes and lambs. Lambing tunnels provide protection from harsh weather, ensuring the safety and well-being of ewes and lambs during the vulnerable lambing period.

Louse Disease: Louse disease is an external parasitic disease of cattle. Severe infection leads to loss of condition, wasting, and anemia. Managing louse disease through proper treatment and prevention measures can protect cattle health and productivity.

Lysine: Lysine is an essential amino acid in protein foodstuffs, essential for animal growth. Understanding amino acids like lysine can help farmers formulate balanced animal feeds and manage livestock nutrition.

Liver: Liver is a large gland in the upper part of the abdomen, the main organ for removing harmful substances from the blood. Understanding liver function can aid in managing livestock health and nutrition.

Limestone: Limestone is a common sedimentary rock, formed of calcium minerals and often containing fossilized shells of sea animals. It is porous in its natural state and may form large caves by being weathered by water. It is used in agriculture and building. Limestone is formed of calcium minerals and often contains fossilized shells of sea animals. It is an important source of various types of lime. Utilizing limestone can improve soil health and fertility, supporting crop growth.

Liquid Manure: Liquid manure is a manure consisting of dung and urine in a liquid form. Manure in semi-liquid form is slurry. Properly managing liquid manure can enhance soil fertility and support sustainable agriculture.

Lovage: Lovage is a herb used as a vegetable and for making herbal teas. Growing lovage can provide farmers with a versatile and marketable crop for culinary and medicinal uses.

Longwool: Longwool or longwoolled sheep refers to several breeds of sheep with long wool. Raising longwool sheep can provide farmers with high-quality wool and enhance farm profitability.

Levy: A levy is money which is demanded and collected by a government. Understanding agricultural levies can help farmers comply with regulations and manage financial planning.

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.

Layers’ Ailments: Layers’ ailments are disorders of fowls in lay, especially birds that are in heavy production. These disorders include egg binding, internal laying, and layer’s cramp. Managing layers’ ailments through proper nutrition and care can improve poultry health and egg production.

Landside: Landside is the part of the plough which takes the sideways thrust as the furrow is turned. Understanding plough mechanics helps farmers improve soil cultivation practices.

Louping-Ill: Louping-ill is an infective parasitic disease of sheep (Ixodes ricinus), carried by ticks in hill pastures. Animals suffer acute fever and nervous twitch and staggers. Also called staggers, twitch, trembles. Managing louping-ill through proper treatment and prevention measures can protect sheep health and productivity.

Lim: Lim is an abbreviation for Limousin (informal). Raising Limousin cattle can provide farmers with high-quality beef and enhance farm profitability.

Listeria: Listeria is a bacterium found in human and animal feces, one species of which can cause meningitis if ingested in contaminated food. Genus: Listeria. Understanding and preventing listeria contamination can protect food safety and public health.

Lignin: Lignin is the material in plant cell walls that makes plants woody and gives them rigidity and strength. Understanding lignin can help farmers manage plant growth and crop quality.

Long Ton: Long ton is the same as ton. Understanding measurements like long tons can aid in precise farm planning and product management.

Longhorn: Longhorn is a dual-purpose hardy breed of cattle, with long down-curving horns. The animals are usually red or brown in color, with white markings. The breed is now rare. Raising rare breeds like Longhorn can enhance genetic diversity and resilience in cattle farming.

Lima Bean: Lima bean is the same as butter bean. Growing lima beans can provide farmers with a nutritious and marketable crop.