Category: P

pecking order: The order of social dominance in a group of birds, and also animals (NOTE: The equivalent in cattle is the ‘bunt order’). Understanding social hierarchies in livestock helps in managing animal behavior and welfare.

process: To treat produce in a way that will make it keep longer or become more palatable. Helpful content: Processing farm produce adds value and extends shelf life, providing new market opportunities. Techniques such as drying, canning, and fermenting can enhance product diversity and farm income.

provender: A general term used to describe dry feeds for livestock. Helpful content: Providing high-quality provender ensures that livestock receive adequate nutrition. Farmers can enhance animal health and productivity by selecting the best dry feeds available.

productive: Producing a lot of something that can be used or sold. Helpful content: Implementing productive farming techniques, such as crop rotation and precision farming, can increase output and profitability. Farmers can achieve sustainable growth by optimizing resource use and adopting best practices.

poultry: A general term for domestic birds kept for meat and egg production. Chickens are the most common. Helpful content: Raising poultry can be a profitable enterprise for farmers. Understanding poultry management, nutrition, and health care is essential for maximizing egg and meat production while maintaining animal welfare.

planning inquiry: A hearing before a government inspector relating to a decision of a local authority in planning matters. Helpful content: Participating in planning inquiries can help farmers advocate for their projects and address any concerns raised by the community or authorities. This process can lead to better-informed decisions that support agricultural development.

phased return to work: 1. The gradual return of a sick person to work in stages, e.g., working only part-time at first 2. A reduction in workload towards the end of a worker’s career. Implementing phased return to work practices supports worker well-being and maintains farm productivity.

pathogenesis: The origin, production, or development of a disease. Understanding pathogenesis helps in developing effective disease management strategies in agriculture.

phytoplasma: A type of bacterium that affects plants. Managing phytoplasma infections is crucial for maintaining healthy crops and preventing economic losses.

plant protection: The activity of protecting plants from disease by biocontrol, cultivation practices, and especially by the application of pesticides. Helpful content: Effective plant protection strategies are crucial for preventing crop damage and losses due to pests and diseases. Integrated pest management (IPM) combines various methods to minimize pesticide use and enhance sustainability.

parathion: An organophosphorus insecticide no longer approved for use in the UK. Understanding the history and regulation of pesticides helps in making informed decisions about pest control.

physical: 1. Referring to the body rather than the mind or the spirit 2. Referring to the characteristics of a substance or object rather than its chemical composition. Understanding physical characteristics of soil, water, and crops aids in effective farm management and production.

potassium nitrate: A white crystalline salt, used as a fertilizer and meat preservative and in fireworks, explosives, and matches. Formula: KNO3. Helpful content: Potassium nitrate provides essential nutrients for plants and can improve crop yields. Its dual role as a fertilizer and preservative makes it valuable for integrated farm management.

pollinosis: Inflammation of the nose and eyes caused by an allergic reaction to pollen, fungal spores, or dust in the atmosphere. Also called hay fever. Helpful content: Understanding pollinosis helps farmers implement practices to reduce allergen exposure for workers and livestock. Managing pollen sources and using protective measures can improve health and productivity on the farm.

pathogen: An agent, usually a microorganism, that causes a disease. Identifying and managing pathogens is essential for preventing disease outbreaks in crops and livestock.

pink-root pink-root pink-root: A disease of onions caused by the fungus Phoma terrestris, which turns the roots pink and later rots them. Managing plant diseases like pink-root ensures healthy crops and high yields.

poacher: A person who catches animals, birds, or fish illegally on someone else’s land. Helpful content: Addressing poaching issues helps protect wildlife and maintain biodiversity on farms. Farmers can work with local authorities to enforce regulations and promote conservation efforts.

pest management: The management of pests by physical, chemical, or biological means. Using integrated pest management strategies improves pest control and reduces reliance on chemical pesticides.

pruning knife: A special knife with a curved blade used for pruning fruit trees. Helpful content: Pruning knives are ideal for making accurate cuts on trees. Proper pruning techniques with the right tools can enhance tree health and fruit production.

plant protection product: A general term for a chemical such as a pesticide or fungicide that is used to keep plants free from disease and pests. Helpful content: Using plant protection products judiciously can help farmers maintain healthy crops while reducing the environmental impact. Proper application and timing are essential for effective pest and disease control.

preservation: The process of protecting something from damage or decay. Helpful content: Food preservation techniques, such as drying, canning, and refrigeration, are essential for extending the shelf life of farm produce. Effective preservation reduces waste, enhances food security, and provides additional revenue opportunities.

piebald: Referring to an animal that has irregular patches of white and black or white and brown on its body, e.g., a piebald pony. Understanding livestock color patterns helps in selecting animals for breeding and meeting market preferences.

pink pink pink: A color between red and white. Using color coding in farm management improves organization and efficiency.

productive agriculture: Same as intensive agriculture. Helpful content: Intensive agriculture focuses on maximizing yields from a given area of land. By using advanced technologies, improved crop varieties, and efficient management practices, farmers can increase production while maintaining environmental sustainability.

phosphatide: A fat that contains phosphorus, found in seeds. Understanding the nutritional composition of seeds helps in formulating balanced animal feeds.

potassium sulphate: A fertilizer made from the muriate of potash. It contains about 50% potash and is used by potato growers and market gardeners. Formula: K2SO4. Also called sulphate of potash. Helpful content: Potassium sulphate is particularly beneficial for crops sensitive to chloride, such as potatoes. Its use can enhance crop quality and yield, supporting efficient and sustainable farming practices.

physiological disorder: A non-infectious condition in plants caused by environmental factors such as nutrient deficiency, water stress, or temperature extremes. Managing physiological disorders in crops ensures healthy growth and high yields.

PCV2: A virus which is thought to be a key cause of PMWS in pigs. Full form porcine coronavirus type 2. Preventing and managing PCV2 infections is essential for maintaining pig health and productivity.

pollutant: 1. A substance that causes pollution. 2. Noise, smell, or another unwanted occurrence that affects a person’s surroundings unfavorably. Helpful content: Identifying and managing pollutants is essential for maintaining a healthy farm environment. Farmers can adopt practices to minimize pollution, protect natural resources, and ensure sustainable production.

parasite: A plant or animal which lives on or inside another organism, the host, and derives its nourishment and other needs from it. Managing parasites is crucial for maintaining livestock health and preventing disease outbreaks.

phosphatic: Containing phosphate. Phosphatic fertilizers are essential for promoting healthy plant growth and improving soil fertility.

plant ecology: The study of the relationship between plants and their environment. Helpful content: Understanding plant ecology helps farmers make informed decisions about crop placement, soil management, and biodiversity conservation. This knowledge can lead to more sustainable farming practices and improved ecosystem health.

pillar pillar pillar: A vertical support structure. Using pillars in construction improves farm infrastructure and supports sustainable development.

pesticide tolerance: The amount of a pesticide residue which is permitted on crops under regulations. Understanding pesticide tolerance levels ensures compliance with regulations and protects consumer health.

Pyrus: The Latin name for the pear. Helpful content: Understanding pear cultivation and management helps farmers produce high-quality fruit. Knowledge of Pyrus species and their requirements can enhance orchard productivity and fruit marketability.

protein: A nitrogen compound formed by the condensation of amino acids that is present in and is an essential part of living cells. Helpful content: Proteins are vital for the growth and repair of body tissues. Farmers should ensure that livestock diets are rich in high-quality proteins to support health and productivity.

placental mammal: Same as eutherian. Helpful content: Farmers can benefit from understanding the reproductive systems of placental mammals for better breeding and care practices. This knowledge can improve breeding success rates and the health of newborn animals.

pepper: 1. A spice, either black or white, made from the berry-like fruit of the pepper vine. 2. The fruit of the Capsicum, either red, yellow, or green. Growing and processing peppers provides valuable spice and vegetable crops that meet market demand.

predation: The killing and eating of other animals. Helpful content: Understanding predation dynamics is important for managing wildlife and protecting livestock. Farmers can implement measures such as fencing and guardian animals to reduce predation risks and safeguard their animals.

polysaprobic: Referring to organisms that can survive in heavily polluted water. Helpful content: Recognizing the presence of polysaprobic organisms can indicate water quality issues. Farmers can adopt practices to improve water management and reduce pollution, supporting healthier aquatic ecosystems.

peri-urban: On the edge of a built-up area. Managing peri-urban areas can provide opportunities for urban agriculture and enhance food security in cities.

polytunnel: A cover for growing plants, like a large greenhouse, made of a rounded plastic roof attached to semi-circular supports. Helpful content: Polytunnels extend the growing season, protect crops from adverse weather, and improve plant growth conditions. Farmers can use polytunnels to increase yield and quality of produce, especially in regions with challenging climates.

proximate analysis: A method of chemical analysis used on animal feedingstuffs, which measures the amounts of ash, crude fibre, crude protein, ether extract, moisture content, and nitrogen-free extract. Helpful content: Proximate analysis provides valuable information on feed composition. Farmers can use this data to formulate balanced diets and improve feed efficiency for livestock.

parrot mouth: A malformation of the upper jaw of horses, preventing proper mastication. The condition prevents the horse from grazing. Early detection and management of congenital issues like parrot mouth improve animal welfare and productivity.

pecan: A North American tree (Carya illinoensis) which produces sweet nuts that are eaten as dessert nuts and used in many forms of confectionery. Growing pecans provides a valuable nut crop that meets market demand and can be sold fresh or processed.

pasture: Grass or other plants grown for feeding grazing animals. Managing pastures effectively ensures adequate nutrition for livestock and maintains soil health.

porcine somatotropin: A hormone administered to feeder pigs, which has been shown to increase feed efficiency, the ratio of lean meat to carcass weight, and market weight. Abbr PST. Helpful content: Using porcine somatotropin can enhance growth rates and feed conversion efficiency in pigs, leading to higher production yields and improved profitability for pig farmers.

plum pox: A viral disease affecting plums, damsons, and peaches. The fruit has dark blotches, ripens prematurely, and is often sour. Helpful content: Early detection and management of plum pox are crucial to prevent crop losses. Farmers should implement integrated pest management strategies to control the spread of this disease and maintain orchard productivity.

perpetual-flowering: Referring to a variety of plant which bears flowers more or less all year round. Growing perpetual-flowering plants ensures continuous flower production, meeting market demands for ornamental plants.

pinion pinion pinion: The outer part of a bird’s wing. Understanding animal anatomy aids in managing livestock health and preventing injuries.