Category: P

placement drill: A machine which drills seeds and fertiliser at the same time, placing the fertiliser close to the side of and below the rows of seeds. Helpful content: Placement drills ensure efficient seed and fertiliser placement, promoting healthy plant growth and reducing waste. This precision can lead to higher yields and more efficient use of resources.

pericarp: The part of a fruit that encloses the seed or seeds. Understanding fruit anatomy aids in improving breeding programs and crop quality.

parasitoid: An organism that is a parasite only at one stage in its development. Recognizing parasitoid life cycles helps in biological pest control strategies.

pre-emergent: Before a plant’s leaves appear from the seed in the soil. Helpful content: Pre-emergent herbicides are used to control weeds before they emerge, reducing competition for crops. Proper application timing can significantly improve weed management and crop performance.

plant cover: The percentage of an area occupied by plants. Helpful content: Assessing plant cover is important for managing soil health and preventing erosion. High plant cover can protect soil from wind and water erosion, improve water infiltration, and enhance biodiversity on farms.

pippin pippin pippin: A type of apple that is grown for its flavor rather than for its appearance. Growing and processing pippins provides valuable fruit crops that meet market demand and offer nutritional benefits.

PSS: Abbreviation for porcine stress syndrome. Helpful content: Managing porcine stress syndrome involves selecting animals without the halothane gene and reducing stress factors. Proper handling and management practices can improve animal welfare and productivity.

pinch pinch pinch: To squeeze something tightly between two fingers or other objects. Using proper techniques in handling livestock and crops ensures efficient and safe farm operations.

plain: A large area of flat country with few trees, especially in the middle of North America. Helpful content: Plains are often used for extensive agriculture due to their flat terrain and fertile soil. Understanding the characteristics of plains can help farmers optimize land use and crop selection.

primitive breeds: Old breeds of livestock which have not been bred commercially, but which are the descendants of wild livestock. Helpful content: Preserving primitive breeds helps maintain genetic diversity and resilience in livestock populations. These breeds often have unique traits that can be valuable for sustainable farming and adaptation to changing environments.

parasitology: The scientific study of parasites. Research in parasitology contributes to better pest and disease management in agriculture.

pale persicaria: A weed found in spring-sown crops. Effective weed management reduces competition for nutrients, water, and light, improving crop yields.

progesterone: A female sex hormone produced by the corpus luteum of the ovary to prepare the lining of the womb for a fertilized ovum. Formula: C21H30O2. Helpful content: Understanding the role of progesterone in reproduction helps farmers manage breeding and pregnancy in livestock. Proper hormone management can enhance reproductive success and animal health.

pipping pipping pipping: The process of a bird breaking through its eggshell to hatch. Understanding the hatching process helps in managing poultry production and ensuring healthy chick development.

pit pit pit: A large hole in the ground. Managing pits for waste disposal and storage ensures farm cleanliness and environmental protection.

paddock: A small enclosed field, usually near farm buildings. Paddocks provide controlled environments for livestock, enabling better pasture management and preventing overgrazing.

passport: An official document issued to many types of animals or plants being moved from one country to another, certifying freedom from disease. Issuing animal and plant passports ensures biosecurity and facilitates international trade.

phytotron: A greenhouse or laboratory where conditions such as light, temperature, and humidity can be controlled to study the effects on plant growth. Using phytotrons in research helps in developing effective agricultural practices and improving crop production.

personal injury insurance: Insurance against the risk of accidents or injuries, e.g., to farm workers or animals. Providing personal injury insurance ensures financial protection and support in case of accidents, enhancing farm safety and worker welfare.

phosphor deficiency: A condition in animals caused by a lack of phosphor, leading to decreased growth and fertility. Managing mineral deficiencies in livestock ensures optimal health and productivity.

physiotherapy: The use of physical techniques to treat disease or injury. Providing physiotherapy for injured livestock helps in their recovery and maintains productivity.

permanent wilting point: The soil water content below which plants wilt and are unable to recover. Understanding the permanent wilting point helps in planning irrigation schedules and preventing crop water stress.

proud: Referring to excessive growth or development in crops or livestock. Helpful content: Managing excessive growth through proper nutrition and environmental controls ensures optimal plant and animal health. Farmers can achieve better yields and quality by preventing overgrowth issues.

polyphagous: Referring to an organism that eats more than one type of food. Compare monophagous. Helpful content: Understanding polyphagous pests is important for developing effective management strategies. Farmers can implement integrated pest management practices to control these pests and protect a wide range of crops.

plant genetic resources: The gene pool of plants, especially of plants regarded as of value to humans for food or pharmaceuticals. Helpful content: Conserving plant genetic resources is crucial for maintaining biodiversity and ensuring the availability of beneficial traits for future breeding. Farmers can benefit from a diverse gene pool by having access to a wide range of crops that can adapt to various conditions.

protoplasm: A substance like a jelly which makes up the largest part of each cell. Helpful content: Understanding protoplasm and cell biology is fundamental for plant and animal health. Farmers can improve crop and livestock management by applying this knowledge to enhance growth and development.

potato blight: A fungus disease (Phytophthora infestans) which kills potato foliage and rots the tubers. Helpful content: Early detection and management of potato blight are crucial for preventing significant crop losses. Farmers should implement integrated pest management strategies to control this disease and maintain healthy potato crops.

pollution: The presence of unusually high concentrations of harmful substances or radioactivity in the environment, as a result of human activity or a natural process such as a volcanic eruption. Helpful content: Managing pollution on farms is crucial for protecting ecosystems and ensuring sustainable production. Farmers can implement practices like buffer strips, cover cropping, and proper waste management to reduce environmental impact.

perennial agriculture: A system of agriculture in regions where there is no winter and several crops can be grown on the same land each year. Using perennial agriculture systems improves land use efficiency and provides continuous crop production.

proven sire: A bull, boar, or ram which has been shown to sire progeny that produce milk, meat, or wool of high quality. Helpful content: Using proven sires in breeding programs enhances genetic quality and productivity. Farmers can achieve better offspring performance and overall herd improvement through careful sire selection.

part-time farming: A type of farming where the farmer has a regular occupation other than farming, which is common throughout much of central and Eastern Europe. In the UK, part-time farmers are mainly wealthy people who farm as a hobby or as a second form of business. Part-time farming can provide additional income and sustainable land use.

porcine stress syndrome: A group of conditions associated with the halothane gene that cause rapid respiration, twitching, and sudden death in affected pigs. The condition is usually triggered by stress and can be screened for by exposing the animals to the anesthetic halothane. Abbr PSS. Helpful content: Managing porcine stress syndrome involves selecting animals without the halothane gene and reducing stress factors. Proper handling and management practices can improve animal welfare and productivity.

promotion: The activity of encouraging or enabling something to take place. Helpful content: Effective promotion of farm products through marketing strategies can enhance market access and consumer awareness. Farmers can increase sales and brand recognition by highlighting the unique qualities of their products.

piddling: Referring to an animal passing urine. Managing livestock health includes monitoring and managing urinary health to prevent diseases.

proteolysis: The breaking down of proteins in food by digestive enzymes. Helpful content: Understanding proteolysis is important for optimizing animal nutrition and digestion. Proper feed formulations can enhance protein breakdown and nutrient absorption, supporting animal health and productivity.

protoplasmic: Referring to protoplasm. Helpful content: Knowledge of protoplasmic functions aids in understanding cellular processes. Farmers can use this information to optimize plant growth and animal health through better management practices.

piedmont: A fertile region at the foot of a mountain range. Utilizing piedmont regions for farming can provide fertile land for crop production and support sustainable agriculture.

plant breeding: The practice of producing new forms of ornamental and crop plants by artificial selection. Helpful content: Plant breeding is essential for creating crops that can withstand pests, diseases, and climate change. By selecting the best traits, farmers can cultivate more robust and productive plants, ensuring food security and sustainability.

pungent: With a sharp taste or smell, like, e.g., mustard. Helpful content: Understanding pungent crops and their market demand helps farmers target niche markets. Crops with strong flavors can be used in culinary applications, adding value to farm produce.

ploughland: Arable or cultivated land. Helpful content: Effective management of ploughland involves crop rotation, soil conservation, and proper fertilization. These practices ensure long-term soil health and productivity, supporting sustainable agriculture.

pigworm pigworm pigworm: A parasite of pigs. Managing pigworm infestations ensures pig health and productivity.

pilot light pilot light pilot light: A small flame that ignites a larger flame, e.g., in a furnace. Ensuring proper maintenance of pilot lights improves farm equipment efficiency and safety.

planning department: A section of a local authority that deals with requests for planning permission. Helpful content: The planning department is a valuable resource for farmers seeking to expand or modify their operations. Consulting with this department can provide guidance on obtaining necessary permits and ensure that projects comply with local regulations.

protoplasm: A substance like a jelly which makes up the largest part of each cell. Helpful content: Understanding protoplasm and cell biology is fundamental for plant and animal health. Farmers can improve crop and livestock management by applying this knowledge to enhance growth and development.

plate mill: A type of mill used for grinding grain. The machine is made of two circular plates, one of which is fixed, while the other rotates against it. Helpful content: Plate mills are essential for producing high-quality flour and other grain products. Efficient milling processes can improve product quality and reduce processing time, benefiting both farmers and consumers.

pest-free: Referring to an area where pests do not occur, or to animals or plants which have no pests. Maintaining pest-free areas ensures healthy crop and livestock production, protecting against disease and economic losses.

picotee: Referring to a flower petal with an edge of a different color. Growing picotee flowers can provide ornamental value and meet market demands for unique floral varieties.

pullet: A young female fowl, from hatching until a year old. Helpful content: Proper care and nutrition for pullets are crucial for successful egg production. Farmers can achieve higher yields and healthier flocks by providing optimal conditions during the pullet stage.

producer: 1. A person or company that produces something. 2. An organism that takes energy from outside an ecosystem and channels it into the system, e.g., green plants (primary producers) and herbivores (secondary producers). Helpful content: Producers form the foundation of the food chain. Farmers as primary producers play a critical role in the agricultural ecosystem, converting natural resources into food, fiber, and fuel.

pastern: The thin part of a horse’s leg, between the fetlock and the hoof. Proper care of the pastern can prevent lameness and improve horse performance.