Rustle
rustle: To steal livestock, especially cows and horses. Preventing rustling protects farm assets and ensures livestock security.
Agricultural Terms and Helpful Expert Insight
Rural Land Register: A digitized map of all registered land parcels in the UK, kept by the Rural Payments Agency. Abbreviation: RLR. The RLR provides farmers with accurate land data, supporting efficient farm management and compliance with regulatory requirements.
roller mill: A piece of equipment used in the preparation of flour and animal feed. It has two smooth steel rollers which crush the grain. Using roller mills improves feed processing efficiency and product quality.
respiratory: Referring to respiration. Managing respiratory health in livestock ensures their well-being and productivity.
right of way: A legal right to go across someone elses property. Managing right of way ensures safe and efficient access to farmland.
runoff rate: The amount of excess fertilizer or pesticide from farmland that flows into rivers in a specific period. Monitoring runoff rates helps farmers minimize environmental impact and comply with regulations.
regenerative: Allowing new growth to replace damaged tissue. Regenerative practices support sustainable farming by promoting soil health and resilience.
response curve: A graph showing the yield (or some associated factor) against fertilizer input, level of feed, antibiotics, etc. Using response curves helps farmers make data-driven decisions to optimize inputs and maximize productivity.
rotating tines: Spikes used on machines such as rotavators and power harrows for cultivation purposes. Using rotating tines supports efficient soil preparation and crop establishment.
replacement rate: The rate of introduction of heifers into a dairy herd to replace aging cows or cows with low milk yields. Managing replacement rates helps farmers maintain productive dairy herds and optimize milk production.
Rouge de lOuest: A breed of sheep originating in France. Also called Red. Raising Rouge de lOuest sheep provides farmers with high-quality meat and wool, supporting diversified farm income.
Recommended Daily Amount: The amount of a substance, e.g. a vitamin or mineral, that should be consumed each day for a person or animal to be healthy. Abbreviation: RDA. Understanding RDAs helps farmers ensure their livestock receive proper nutrition, enhancing growth and productivity.
rooting depth: The depth of soil from which plant roots take up water, or the depth of soil to which roots reach. Understanding rooting depth helps farmers manage irrigation and optimize crop growth.
Red Data Book: A catalogue formerly published by the IUCN, listing species which are rare or in danger of becoming extinct. The information is now available in a searchable database. The Red Data Book helps farmers and conservationists identify and protect endangered species, promoting biodiversity.
Rural, Agricultural and Allied Workers: Full form of RAAW. RAAW supports farmworkers by ensuring fair working conditions and promoting labor rights.
regeneration: The process of vegetation growing back on land which has been cleared or burnt. Supporting regeneration helps farmers restore soil fertility and biodiversity, improving long-term farm productivity.
redistribution of land: The practice of taking land from large landowners and splitting it into smaller plots for many people to own. Land redistribution can support smallholder farmers, increasing agricultural productivity and rural development.
root harvester: A machine for lifting root crops out of the ground, e.g. a sugar beet harvester. Using root harvesters improves harvesting efficiency and protects crop quality.
Rothamsted: The site of the Agricultural Experimental station, established in 1843 by John Bennett Lawes. The station specialized in research into plant nutrition and demonstrated the importance of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to plants. Today it is important for its research into biotechnology and is to a large extent sponsored by the BBRSC. Rothamsted research supports agricultural innovation and best practices, benefiting farmers through improved crop and soil management techniques.
respiration: The action of breathing. Understanding respiration is crucial for managing livestock health and addressing respiratory issues.