Category: P

phase: A particular stage in a process. Managing different phases of crop and livestock production ensures efficient and successful farming practices.

pony-trekking: A recreational activity where people hire ponies to ride along country paths, now sometimes organized from farms as a form of diversification. Helpful content: Offering pony-trekking can diversify farm income and attract tourists. This activity promotes rural tourism, provides additional revenue streams, and allows farmers to showcase their landscapes and agricultural practices.

packhouse: A building used for grading, cleaning, and packing produce on a farm before it is sent to the customer. Ensuring produce is properly graded, cleaned, and packed helps farmers maintain high standards and reduce waste, leading to better market prices and customer satisfaction.

phlebitis: An inflammation of the veins. Managing health conditions like phlebitis ensures the well-being of livestock and prevents complications.

permeability: 1. The ability of a rock to allow water to pass through it 2. The ability of a membrane to allow fluid or chemical substances to pass through it. Knowing soil permeability aids in planning drainage and irrigation systems, improving water management.

produce: To make something using materials contained within itself or taken from the outside world. Helpful content: Producing high-quality agricultural products involves understanding plant and animal biology, soil health, and market demands. Farmers can optimize their production processes to achieve better yields and higher quality outputs.

primary industry: An industry dealing with raw materials such as coal, food, farm produce, or wood. Helpful content: The primary industry forms the backbone of agricultural economies. Farmers engaged in primary production need to adopt efficient practices and innovations to remain competitive and sustainable.

post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome: Full form of PMWS. Helpful content: Managing PMWS involves implementing biosecurity measures and providing supportive care to affected pigs. Early detection and proper management can reduce the impact of this disease on pig herds.

Parthenais: A breed of cattle originating in France. It produces calves for a suckler herd and is known for easy calving and high growth rate. Selecting cattle breeds like Parthenais improves herd productivity and reduces calving complications.

progeny test: The evaluation of the breeding value of an animal or plant variety by examining the performance of its progeny. Helpful content: Progeny testing provides valuable insights into genetic traits and breeding potential. Farmers can use this information to make informed decisions about breeding programs and improve herd or crop quality.

pupate: To move from the larval to the pupal stage. Helpful content: Monitoring insect pupation helps farmers predict pest emergence and plan control measures. This knowledge is crucial for integrated pest management and minimizing crop damage.

plough to plate: Same as farm to fork. Helpful content: The plough to plate concept emphasizes the importance of every step in the food production chain, from cultivation to consumption. Understanding this process helps farmers ensure food safety, quality, and traceability, meeting consumer expectations.

poll: The top of an animal’s head. Helpful content: Understanding animal anatomy, such as the poll, is important for livestock handling and care. Proper handling techniques can reduce stress and injury, leading to healthier animals and better productivity.

peat-free: Referring to material such as compost that does not contain peat. Using peat-free materials supports sustainable horticulture and reduces the impact on peat bog ecosystems.

poach: 1. To catch animals, birds, or fish illegally on someone else’s property. 2. To trample the ground in wet weather. Heavy soils such as clays are particularly susceptible to poaching. Helpful content: Preventing poaching and managing soil compaction are important for sustainable farm management. Implementing proper land use practices can protect wildlife and maintain soil health.

ploughman: A man who ploughs. Helpful content: Skilled ploughmen are essential for successful soil preparation. Their expertise in operating ploughs and managing fields can significantly impact crop establishment and yield.

physiological age: The stage of development of an animal or plant, as compared to its actual chronological age. Monitoring physiological age helps in making informed decisions about breeding, feeding, and management practices.

PVRO: Abbreviation for Plant Variety Rights Office. Helpful content: The Plant Variety Rights Office helps protect the intellectual property of plant breeders, encouraging innovation and the development of new plant varieties. Farmers benefit from access to improved seeds that enhance productivity and sustainability.

phosphorylation: The addition of a phosphate to a molecule. Understanding biochemical processes like phosphorylation aids in improving animal and plant health through better nutrition and disease management.

phytotoxin: A substance that is toxic to plants. Managing phytotoxins helps in protecting crops and ensuring healthy growth.

particle: A very small piece of a substance. Soil particles. Particles of volcanic ash were carried into the upper atmosphere. Understanding soil particle size and distribution aids in soil management and crop production.

parent material rock: The unweathered base rock which breaks down to form a constituent part of the surface soil. Knowing the parent material helps in soil fertility and management practices.

pest: An organism which attacks a plant or animal, causing damage and reducing the value of the crop or animal. Managing pests effectively prevents economic losses and ensures healthy crop and livestock production.

parthenocarpy: The production of seedless fruits without fertilization having taken place. Producing seedless fruits can meet market demands and reduce the need for pollination management.

polyethylene: Same as polythene. Helpful content: Polyethylene is widely used in agriculture for applications such as mulching, greenhouse covers, and irrigation tubing. Its durability and flexibility make it a valuable material for enhancing crop protection and water management.

peat: The accumulated partly decayed mosses and other plants which form the soil of a bog, often forming a deep layer. COMMENT: Acid peats are formed in waterlogged areas where marsh plants grow, and where the decay of dead material is slow. Black fen soils found in East Anglia are very fertile. These soils contain silts and calcium carbonate in addition to the remains of vegetation. Peat can be cut and dried in blocks, which can then be used as fuel. It is also widely used in horticulture, after drying and sterilizing. Peat was used as a fuel in some areas and was widely used in gardens to improve the texture of the soil or mixed with soil or other materials to grow plants in pots. These practices are now discouraged in order to prevent the overuse of peat bogs. Understanding peat and its uses helps in making informed decisions about sustainable soil management and conservation practices.

primitive: Referring to an early stage in an organism’s development. Helpful content: Understanding primitive traits in plants and animals can provide insights into their evolution and adaptation. This knowledge can inform breeding programs and conservation efforts on farms.

paddock grazing: A rotational grazing system that uses paddocks of equal area for grazing, followed by a rest period. This system improves pasture quality and productivity by preventing overgrazing and allowing for pasture recovery.

pollination: The action of pollinating a flower. Helpful content: Understanding pollination processes helps farmers optimize crop production. Ensuring effective pollination can lead to higher yields, better fruit set, and improved overall plant health.

pig iron: An impure iron produced in a blast furnace and used to produce steel. Understanding industrial processes like pig iron production aids in making informed decisions about farm equipment and infrastructure.

protoplast: A basic cell unit in a plant formed of a nucleus and protoplasm. Helpful content: Protoplasts are essential for plant growth and development. Farmers can utilize this knowledge in plant breeding and genetic research to improve crop varieties.

pikedressing pikedressing pikedressing: The practice of applying lime to soil. Using lime in soil management improves fertility and crop yields.

primary producer: A farmer who produces basic raw materials, e.g., wood, milk, or fish. Helpful content: Primary producers play a key role in the food supply chain. Understanding market trends, adopting sustainable practices, and improving production efficiency can enhance their economic viability and environmental impact.

persimmon: A native tree (Diospyros kaki) of Japan and China, which produces reddish-orange fruit, similar in appearance to tomatoes. The fruits are eaten either as dessert or may be cooked; they are very rich in vitamins. Growing persimmons provides a valuable fruit crop that meets market demand and offers nutritional benefits.

penicillin: An antibiotic, originally produced from a fungus, that controls bacterial and fungal infections (NOTE: Penicillin and the related family of drugs have names ending in -cillin: amoxycillin). COMMENT: Penicillin is effective against many microbial diseases, such as mastitis in cattle. Using antibiotics like penicillin helps in treating infections and maintaining livestock health.

Portland: A rare breed of sheep. Both sexes are horned, with brown or tan faces and legs. Helpful content: Portland sheep are known for their hardiness and adaptability to various environments. Farmers can benefit from raising this rare breed due to its resilience and the unique qualities of its wool and meat.

partial drought: In the UK, a period of at least 29 consecutive days when the mean rainfall does not exceed 2.54mm. Monitoring and managing drought conditions helps in planning irrigation and ensuring crop survival.

pigment: A natural substance that gives color to an animal or plant. Understanding pigments helps in breeding plants and animals with desirable traits and improving product quality.

pastoralist: A farmer who keeps grazing animals on pasture. The people most affected by the drought in the Sahara are nomadic pastoralists. Supporting pastoralists helps maintain traditional farming practices and livelihoods.

producer-retailer: A person who produces a commodity for sale directly to the public, as through a farm shop or by milk delivery. Helpful content: Producer-retailers can benefit from direct sales to consumers, allowing for better profit margins and stronger customer relationships. This approach can also provide consumers with fresher and more traceable products.

picloram: A systemic herbicide. Understanding herbicides like picloram aids in effective weed management and protecting crop yields.

Percheron: A heavy breed of horse, developed in Normandy. It is grey in color. Raising breeds like Percheron can provide valuable workhorses for farm tasks and meet market demands for horse-related activities.

porcine: Referring to pigs. Helpful content: Understanding porcine biology and management is crucial for pig farmers. Knowledge of pig health, nutrition, and behavior helps optimize production, improve animal welfare, and enhance farm profitability.

prune: A black-skinned dried plum. To remove pieces of a plant in order to keep it in shape or to reduce its vigor. Helpful content: Pruning is essential for maintaining plant health and productivity. Proper techniques promote better air circulation, light penetration, and overall growth, leading to higher yields and quality fruit.

plant growth regulator: A chemical treatment that slows the growth of plants, used in low-maintenance areas such as roadside verges. Abbr PGR. Helpful content: Plant growth regulators can help farmers manage crop growth, reduce the need for frequent mowing or pruning, and maintain the desired plant size. This can lead to labor and cost savings in landscape management.

passive immunity: Immunity received in the womb from the mother. Antibodies produced by her immune system to resist diseases that she has experienced or been vaccinated against are transferred to the embryo. Ensuring proper colostrum management and vaccination can enhance passive immunity in newborn livestock.

pork: Fresh meat from pigs, as opposed to cured meat, which is bacon or ham. Helpful content: Producing high-quality pork involves proper animal husbandry, nutrition, and health management. Farmers can benefit from understanding market demands and implementing best practices to ensure the consistent production of safe and nutritious pork.

peel: 1. The outer layer of a fruit. Oranges have a thick peel. Lemon peel is used as flavoring. 2. The skin of a potato. Verb to remove the peel from a fruit or potato. Using peels in composting can improve soil fertility and reduce waste.

plum: A stone fruit (Prunus domestica). Helpful content: Growing plums can be profitable for farmers, especially with varieties that are popular in local and export markets. Proper orchard management, including pest control and pruning, can lead to high yields and quality fruit.

pasturage: A place where animals are pastured. Managing pasturage efficiently can improve livestock health and productivity by providing quality forage.