Category: P

protein equivalent: A measure of the digestible nitrogen of an animal feedingstuff in terms of protein. Helpful content: Understanding protein equivalents aids in formulating balanced diets for livestock. Farmers can ensure that feed provides sufficient protein for growth, milk production, and overall health.

Potash Development Association: An organization that provides industry information for those working in fertilizer sales. Abbr PDA. Helpful content: The Potash Development Association offers valuable resources and guidance on potash use in agriculture. Farmers can benefit from their research and recommendations to optimize fertilizer application and improve crop performance.

parkland: Grazed grassland or heathland with large individual trees or small groups of large trees, usually part of a designed and managed landscape. Proper management of parklands can enhance biodiversity and provide sustainable grazing.

Pekin: A breed of table duck. It has buff-colored feathers and bright orange feet, legs, and bill. Raising breeds like Pekin can provide high-quality meat and eggs, meeting market demands.

piped pipe piped: Referring to water or other fluids being transported through pipes. Using piped systems in irrigation and drainage improves water management and supports sustainable agriculture.

pigmeat: The meat from a pig, including bacon, ham, pork, and sausage. Ensuring high-quality pigmeat production meets market demand and provides valuable food products.

pasteurise: To kill bacteria in food by heating it. Using pasteurization methods ensures food safety and compliance with health regulations.

pillbox pillbox pillbox: A small fortified structure with loopholes for firing weapons. Ensuring farm security includes using structures like pillboxes to protect resources and prevent theft.

post hole digger: An implement driven by a tractor, shaped like a very large screw which bores holes in the ground in which posts are placed. Helpful content: Using a post hole digger can save time and labor for farmers when installing fences and other structures. This tool ensures consistent and efficient hole digging, improving farm infrastructure projects.

pollen analysis: Same as palynology. Helpful content: Pollen analysis helps farmers study past vegetation and climate conditions, informing decisions on crop selection and land management. This knowledge can improve agricultural resilience and adaptation strategies.

production entitlement guarantee: A proposed alternative to current agricultural subsidy schemes, in which each farmer’s subsidy payment is limited to a fixed proportion of their historical output, with market forces determining any payment on top of this. Abbr PEG. Helpful content: Understanding subsidy schemes and production entitlements can help farmers navigate financial planning and ensure stable income despite market fluctuations.

pulp: 1. The soft inside of a fruit or vegetable. 2. A thick soft substance made by crushing. Helpful content: Understanding the pulp of fruits and vegetables is important for processing and product development. Farmers can add value by creating pulp-based products such as juices, purees, and sauces.

pharmaceutical industry: The industry which produces medicines. Collaborating with the pharmaceutical industry ensures access to effective treatments for livestock diseases.

physiological, physiologic: Referring to the science of how plants, animals, and the human body function. Understanding physiological processes aids in improving animal and plant health, leading to better farm productivity.

peptone: A substance produced by the action of pepsins on proteins in food. Using peptones in animal feeds ensures better digestion and nutrient absorption.

plateau: An area of high flat land. Helpful content: Understanding the geography of plateaus can help farmers optimize land use and select appropriate crops that thrive in such environments. Plateaus often have unique soil and climate conditions that can be advantageous for certain types of farming.

pore space: The space in the soil not filled by soil particles, but which may be filled with water or air. Helpful content: Managing pore space in soil is essential for optimal crop growth. Practices like tillage, cover cropping, and organic matter addition can enhance soil structure and improve water retention and aeration.

pupal: Referring to a pupa. Helpful content: Understanding the pupal stage of insects is important for managing pest life cycles. Farmers can time interventions to target vulnerable stages and reduce pest populations effectively.

permaculture: A system of permanent agriculture, which involves carefully designing human habitats and food production systems. Implementing permaculture principles ensures sustainable land use and enhances biodiversity.

picket fence: A fence made of upright wooden stakes (pickets) joined together by horizontal rails. Using picket fences can improve farm aesthetics and provide secure enclosures for livestock and crops.

pot: To put a plant into a pot. Helpful content: Potting is essential for growing seedlings and managing plants in controlled environments. Proper potting techniques ensure healthy root development and facilitate the growth of strong and productive plants.

pheasant: A game bird with long tail feathers, found in the wild or reared for shooting. Raising pheasants can provide additional income through game farming and hunting activities.

pulpy kidney disease: A disease caused by a strain of the same bacteria which cause lamb dysentery. It occurs in older lambs and can be fatal. Helpful content: Managing pulpy kidney disease involves vaccination, proper nutrition, and hygiene practices. Early detection and treatment can reduce mortality rates and improve lamb health.

profusion: A very large number or quantity of something. Helpful content: A profusion of crops or livestock on a farm indicates high productivity. Farmers can manage this abundance through efficient harvest, storage, and marketing strategies to maximize profitability.

pedigree selection: The selection of animals for breeding based on the records of their ancestors. Using pedigree selection improves the genetic quality and productivity of livestock.

pea: An important grain legume. Peas are grown for pulses and for their immature seeds which are eaten fresh as a green vegetable and are also often frozen. The young pods are also occasionally eaten as mangetouts. Peas are also grown for forage and may be used for hay and silage. They are often grown following a cereal crop in rotation, and enrich the soil with nitrogen. Most peas are harvested, transported, and processed on the same day, and the majority are taken for freezing and canning. Vining peas are Britain’s most important contract vegetable crop. Growing peas improves soil fertility and provides a valuable food source.

parsnip: A plant (Pastinaca sativa) whose long white root is eaten as a vegetable. Growing vegetables like parsnips can improve farm profitability and provide healthy food options.

pasture topper: A piece of machinery that is attached to the back of a tractor and used to keep grassy areas such as pastures free from weeds and coarse grasses. Using pasture toppers helps maintain healthy pastures by controlling weed growth.

pocket: A large sack of dry hops. Helpful content: Proper storage of hops in pockets ensures their quality and longevity. This is crucial for farmers producing hops for the brewing industry, as high-quality hops command better prices and marketability.

pedigree market: The market for animals sold for breeding rather than for slaughter. Compare commercial market. Participating in the pedigree market can provide additional income and improve the quality of breeding stock.

perennial ryegrass: A grass (Lolium perenne) which forms the basis of the majority of long leys in the UK. It is the most important grass in good permanent pasture and is often sown mixed with other grasses and clover (NOTE: Perennial ryegrass has a long growing season, is quick to become established, and responds well to fertilizers. It is best suited to grazing and is highly palatable for animals.) Using perennial ryegrass in pastures ensures high-quality forage and sustainable grazing for livestock.

pumpkin: A large round yellow vegetable, eaten both as a vegetable and in pies as a dessert. Helpful content: Pumpkins are versatile crops with multiple market opportunities. Farmers can maximize profitability by exploring diverse uses, including fresh market sales, processing, and value-added products.

pasteurellosis: A clostridial disease mainly affecting young lambs, adult sheep, and store lambs. It may be caused by contaminated food or water. Symptoms are high temperature and difficult breathing, and death may follow a few days after the symptoms become apparent. Preventing and managing pasteurellosis is vital for livestock health and farm profitability.

precision chop forage harvester: A type of harvester which cuts the crop with flails, chops it into precise lengths, and blows it into a trailer. It may be self-propelled, off-set trailed, or mounted. It is used for harvesting green material for making silage. Helpful content: Precision chop forage harvesters improve silage quality by ensuring consistent chop lengths. This enhances fermentation and feed efficiency, supporting better livestock nutrition and farm profitability.

pig: An animal of the family Suidae, a farm animal reared for its meat. Domestic pigs are thought to be descended from the European wild boar. Managing pig farming efficiently provides valuable meat products and ensures animal welfare.

potato planter: A machine for planting potatoes. Helpful content: Potato planters ensure precise and consistent planting, leading to uniform crop establishment. Farmers can benefit from improved planting efficiency and better crop management using these machines.

pig-producer, pig producer: A person or company that raises pigs for meat. Supporting pig producers ensures a stable supply of pigmeat and contributes to the agricultural economy.

pathology: The study of diseases and the changes in structure and function which diseases can cause. Research in pathology contributes to better disease diagnosis and management in crops and livestock.

PRRS: Abbreviation for porcine reproductive respiratory syndrome. Helpful content: Managing PRRS involves implementing strict biosecurity measures and vaccination programs. Early detection and intervention can reduce the spread of the disease and improve herd productivity.

parasitic: Referring to animal or plant parasites. Controlling parasitic infestations can improve crop and livestock health and productivity.

pathogenic organism: An organism responsible for causing a disease. Identifying pathogenic organisms is crucial for effective disease management in agriculture.

ped: An aggregate of soil particles. Understanding soil structure and the formation of peds helps in improving soil management and crop production.

pomology: The study of fruit cultivation. Helpful content: Knowledge of pomology helps farmers improve fruit production through better orchard management, pest control, and cultivar selection. This expertise can lead to higher yields, better fruit quality, and increased profitability.

piglet: A young pig. Ensuring proper care and nutrition for piglets improves their growth and health, leading to better productivity.

pollinator: 1. An organism which helps pollinate a plant, e.g., a bee or bird. 2. A plant from which pollen is transferred by bees to pollinate another plant, especially a fruit tree that is not self-fertile. Helpful content: Promoting pollinator health and habitat is crucial for sustainable agriculture. Farmers can enhance crop yields by supporting pollinator populations through habitat conservation and integrated pest management.

Plant Variety Rights Office: The certifying authority for agricultural and horticultural seeds in England and Wales, based in Cambridge. Abbr PVRO. 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.

plot: A small area of cultivated land, which has been clearly defined. Helpful content: Managing small plots effectively can allow farmers to experiment with different crops and techniques. Small-scale farming on plots can be highly productive and sustainable, providing diverse produce for local markets.

prick out: To transplant seedlings from trays or pans into pots or flowerbeds. Helpful content: Pricking out is essential for thinning seedlings and promoting strong, healthy growth. Properly spaced seedlings develop better root systems and are more resilient when transplanted into the field.

Penistone: Same as White-faced Woodland. Knowing different breeds and their characteristics helps in selecting suitable livestock for specific farming conditions.

polyculture: The rearing or growing of more than one species of plant or animal on the same area of land at the same time. Helpful content: Polyculture systems can increase biodiversity, improve soil health, and reduce pest and disease pressure. Farmers can benefit from diversified production, leading to more resilient and sustainable farming practices.