Category: P

pitfall pitfall pitfall: A hidden danger or difficulty. Identifying and managing pitfalls in farming practices ensures successful and sustainable operations.

peck: A measure of capacity of dry goods, equal to a quarter of a bushel or two gallons. Pecks are used as a measure of grain. verb to pick up food with the beak. Using traditional measures like pecks helps in understanding historical agricultural practices and trade.

piledriver piledriver piledriver: A machine that drives piles into the ground. Using piledrivers in construction improves farm infrastructure and supports sustainable development.

plough up: To plough a pasture, usually to use it for growing crops. Helpful content: Ploughing up pastures can be a strategic decision to diversify farm production. Properly managed, this practice can enhance soil fertility and allow for the cultivation of high-value crops.

pulling peas: Peas harvested by removing the pods when fresh and sold as young peas in pods. Helpful content: Harvesting pulling peas at the right time ensures maximum freshness and quality. Farmers can benefit from understanding market preferences and optimizing harvest techniques.

prong: One of the long pointed pieces of metal which make up the end of a fork. Helpful content: Using tools with prongs, such as pitchforks, helps farmers manage tasks like turning compost or handling hay. Proper tool maintenance ensures efficiency and safety in farm operations.

performance test: A record of the growth rate in an individual animal over a given period of time, when fed on a standard ration. Performance testing gives the breeder a better chance of identifying genetically superior animals. Conducting performance tests helps in selecting high-performing livestock, improving herd productivity and profitability.

permanent grassland, permanent pasture: Land that remains as grassland for a long time and is not ploughed. Maintaining permanent grasslands provides sustainable grazing areas and improves soil health through natural vegetation.

purebred: Referring to an animal which is the offspring of parents which are themselves the offspring of parents of the same breed. Helpful content: Raising purebred animals can enhance genetic consistency and performance in livestock. Farmers can benefit from breed-specific traits that improve productivity and market value.

primed seed: Seed which has been moistened to start the germination process before sowing. Helpful content: Using primed seeds can improve germination rates and early plant growth, leading to better crop establishment and yields. This technique is particularly beneficial in challenging growing conditions.

pileup pileup pileup: A large number of vehicles or animals that have come to a stop or are blocking a road or path. Managing farm traffic efficiently ensures smooth operations and prevents accidents.

plant senescence: The final stage in the life cycle of a plant, leading to the death of part or all of the plant. Helpful content: Knowledge of plant senescence is important for farmers as it determines when they should harvest a crop in order to ensure it is of the highest possible quality. Timely harvesting can maximize yield and maintain produce quality.

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.