Category: O

out-of-season: Referring to a plant which is grown or sold at a time when it is not naturally available from outdoor cultivation. Growing out-of-season crops can provide farmers with premium prices and market opportunities. Farmers can benefit from using greenhouses and other technologies to produce out-of-season crops, ensuring a steady income throughout the year.

ovulate: To release an ovum from the mature ovarian follicle into the fallopian tube. Understanding ovulation is crucial for effective livestock breeding. Farmers can benefit from monitoring and managing ovulation cycles to improve reproductive success and increase herd productivity.

optimum: Referring to the point at which the condition or amount of something is the best. Understanding optimum conditions for crop and livestock production can enhance yields and quality. Farmers can benefit from precise management of environmental factors, inputs, and practices to achieve optimal results.

OTMS: Over Thirty Month Scheme. A scheme supporting farmers by providing payment and support for the disposal of cattle born or reared in the United Kingdom before August 1996. This helps farmers manage older cattle, comply with regulations, and maintain a healthy and productive herd.

Organic Entry Level Stewardship: One of the categories under the Environmental Stewardship scheme, under which organic farmers can apply for funding in return for implementing certain environmental management schemes on their land. Abbr OELS. The OELS offers financial incentives for farmers to implement environmental management practices on their land. Participating in OELS can help farmers adopt sustainable practices, enhance biodiversity, and improve soil and water quality, while also receiving financial support.

OECD: Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. The OECD provides valuable economic data and policy recommendations that can help farmers stay informed about global market trends and make strategic decisions. Engaging with OECD resources can support farm business planning and improve competitiveness.

outstation: In New Zealand and Australia, a sheep station separate from the main station. Managing outstations effectively can enhance livestock production and resource use. Farmers can benefit from optimizing outstation management to improve animal welfare and productivity.

overexploitation: The uncontrolled use of natural resources until there is very little left. Overexploitation can lead to resource depletion and environmental damage. Farmers can benefit from adopting sustainable resource management practices to ensure long-term productivity and ecological balance.

OM: Organic matter. Organic matter is crucial for soil health, improving water retention, nutrient availability, and soil structure. Farmers can benefit from incorporating organic matter through composting, cover cropping, and reduced tillage to enhance soil fertility and sustainability.

outfields: In hill farms, the fields furthest from the homestead, cropped only from time to time and allowed to lie fallow for long periods. Managing outfields effectively can improve soil health and pasture quality. Farmers can benefit from rotational grazing and crop rotation practices to enhance the productivity and sustainability of outfields.

outline planning permission: Permission in principle to build a property on a piece of land, but not the final approval because further details must be submitted. Understanding outline planning permission can help farmers with land development and compliance. Farmers can benefit from securing outline planning permission to enhance the value and utility of their land.

open furrow: A furrow shaped like a V, with the furrow slices laid in opposite directions to each other. Using open furrows can improve water infiltration and soil aeration. Farmers can benefit from proper plowing techniques to enhance soil health and crop growth.

overcropping: The practice of growing too many crops on poor soil, which has the effect of greatly reducing soil fertility. Avoiding overcropping is crucial for maintaining soil health and long-term productivity. Farmers can benefit from implementing sustainable farming practices, such as crop rotation and cover cropping, to prevent soil degradation.

off-going crop: A crop sown by a tenant farmer before leaving the farm at the end of their tenancy. They are permitted to return and harvest the crop and remove it. Understanding off-going crop rights can help farmers manage transitions and ensure fair agreements during changes in farm tenancy.

Oryza: The Latin name for rice. Rice cultivation can provide farmers with a staple crop that has high market demand. Farmers can benefit from understanding best practices for rice farming, including water management, pest control, and harvesting techniques, to maximize yields and profitability.

OS: Ordnance Survey. Access to accurate mapping data can help farmers with land planning, management, and compliance. Farmers can benefit from using Ordnance Survey maps for precision agriculture, resource management, and infrastructure development.

oestrus: One of the periods of the oestrous cycle that occurs in mature female mammals that are not pregnant. In this period ovulation normally occurs and the female is ready to mate. Recognizing oestrus signs helps farmers time breeding for optimal success, improving reproductive efficiency and herd productivity.

old wood: Growth made during previous years. Managing old wood through pruning and renewal practices is essential for maintaining healthy and productive orchards and vineyards. Farmers can benefit from proper old wood management to enhance fruit quality and yields.

oviduct: A tube that transports eggs from the ovary to the uterus in mammals or in birds and reptiles secretes the eggshell and conveys the egg to the outside. Understanding reproductive anatomy is crucial for optimizing breeding programs and reproductive efficiency in livestock. Farmers can benefit from applying knowledge of reproductive biology to improve fertility and productivity.

oil: A liquid compound which does not mix with water, occurring as vegetable or animal oils, essential volatile oils, and mineral oils. Oils are important in both crop and livestock production. Farmers can benefit from producing and utilizing oils for food, feed, and industrial purposes, enhancing farm profitability.

oxygen: A colorless, odorless gas, essential to human life, constituting 21% by volume of the Earth’s atmosphere. Ensuring adequate oxygen levels in livestock barns and storage facilities helps maintain animal health and food quality, preventing respiratory issues and spoilage of stored products. Oxygen is vital for respiration in all living organisms.

onion set: A seed onion, a small onion grown from seed, which has been dried, and which is planted the following year so that it will root and grow on to maturity. Using onion sets can enhance planting efficiency and crop establishment. Farmers can benefit from understanding proper storage and planting techniques to optimize onion production.

overlying: The crushing of piglets by the sow which lies on top of them. Managing farrowing environments to prevent overlying is crucial for piglet survival and welfare. Farmers can benefit from using farrowing crates and proper monitoring to protect piglets and enhance productivity.

on-off grazing: A rotational grazing system. Implementing on-off grazing can improve pasture health and livestock nutrition. Farmers can benefit from understanding and applying rotational grazing practices to enhance forage availability, reduce soil erosion, and improve animal performance.

opening bid: The first bid at an auction. Understanding auction dynamics and setting competitive opening bids can help farmers maximize returns on livestock and produce sales. Farmers can benefit from participating in auctions to access broader markets and achieve better prices.

oatmeal: A type of feeding stuff produced when the husk is removed from the oats kernel by a rolling process. Oatmeal is particularly good for horses and valuable for cattle and sheep, but not as suitable for pigs because of its high fiber content. Farmers can benefit from producing oatmeal as a nutritious feed option, enhancing livestock nutrition and health.

organophosphate: A synthetic insecticide that attacks the nervous system, such as chlorpyrifos. Organophosphates are effective but highly toxic. Farmers can benefit from using integrated pest management practices to reduce reliance on organophosphates and minimize health and environmental risks.

oat: A hardy cereal crop grown in most types of soil in cool wet northern temperate regions. Oats are environmentally friendly as they require fewer inputs than other cereals. Farmers can benefit from growing oats due to their versatility as both a food and feed crop, providing a reliable source of income and improving soil health through crop rotation.

orfor: A virus disease affecting sheep, cattle, and goats, and easily passed on to humans. The disease causes scabs and ulcers which affect the mouth, nose, and eyes. Managing orfor is crucial for animal and human health. Farmers can benefit from implementing biosecurity measures, regular health monitoring, and prompt treatment to prevent and control outbreaks.

outbreeding: Breeding between individuals that are not related. Outbreeding can enhance genetic diversity and improve livestock health and productivity. Farmers can benefit from implementing outbreeding strategies to strengthen their herds and flocks.

O: Represents oxygen, an essential element for respiration in all living organisms. In the EUROP carcass classification system, ‘O’ indicates below-average quality. Ensuring adequate oxygen levels in livestock barns and storage facilities helps maintain animal health and food quality, preventing respiratory issues and spoilage of stored products.