Category: R

regenerative: Allowing new growth to replace damaged tissue. Regenerative practices support sustainable farming by promoting soil health and resilience.

riverine: Referring to a river. Understanding riverine environments helps farmers manage water resources and protect aquatic ecosystems.

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.

resist: To fight off or not be subject to the effects of something. Developing resistant crop varieties helps farmers manage pests and diseases, ensuring stable yields and reduced losses.

rainfall: The amount of water that falls as rain on an area over a period of time. Understanding rainfall patterns helps farmers plan irrigation and manage water resources effectively.

rotavator: A trademark for a type of rotary cultivator. Using rotavators supports efficient soil preparation and crop establishment.

ripper: A heavy cultivator consisting of a strong frame with long tines attached to it. It is used to break up compacted soil to allow free passage of air and water. Also called subsoiler. Using rippers helps farmers improve soil structure and enhance crop growth.

refection: Consumption by an animal of its own feces. Understanding animal behavior like refection helps farmers manage livestock health and nutrition.

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.

runt: A small individual animal, one that is smaller than average for its kind; the smallest animal in a litter. Managing runts ensures they receive adequate nutrition and care, promoting healthy growth and development.

Rouge de l’Ouest: A breed of sheep originating in France. Also called Red. Raising Rouge de l’Ouest sheep provides farmers with high-quality meat and wool, supporting diversified farm income.

regulator: Something or someone controlling a process or activity. Using regulators helps farmers manage farm operations efficiently and ensure compliance with industry standards.

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.

rootlet: A little root which grows from a main root. Understanding rootlet development supports successful plant propagation and growth.

rut: A period of intense sexual activity that occurs in males of various mammals such as cattle, sheep, and particularly deer. Understanding rutting behavior helps farmers manage breeding programs and livestock health.

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.

replant: To grow plants in an area again; to put a plant in the ground again. Replanting helps farmers maintain continuous crop production and manage soil health.

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.

resistant: Referring to something which is unaffected by a disease, stress factor, process, or treatment. Developing resistant crop and livestock varieties enhances farm resilience and productivity.

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.

RSPB: Abbreviation for Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. The RSPB supports farmers by promoting sustainable land management practices that protect bird habitats.

Rouen: A breed of table duck. The drake has a green head and neck, rich claret-colored breast, and grey-black body. The female is mostly brown. Raising Rouen ducks provides farmers with a reliable source of high-quality meat and eggs.

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.

regrowth: The growth that occurs after a cut or harvest, or after accidental damage or fire. Managing regrowth helps farmers maintain productive fields and pastures, supporting sustainable farming practices.

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.

rush: A common weed (Juncus) growing near water, in moors and marshes, of little nutritional value. Managing rushes supports pasture health and productivity.

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.

RSPCA: Abbreviation for Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The RSPCA supports farmers by promoting animal welfare and ensuring compliance with animal protection laws.

rural tourism: Holiday and leisure activities carried out in the countryside. Promoting rural tourism supports agritourism and enhances farm income.

runholder: A farmer who owns a sheep run. Understanding run management supports effective livestock production and grazing practices.

resinous: Like resin, or producing resin. Understanding resinous properties helps farmers manage tree health and utilize forest products effectively.

RCGM: Abbreviation for rectified concentrated grape must. This product is used in winemaking, providing farmers with an additional market for surplus grapes and improving wine quality.

Royal Agricultural Society of England: An organization whose main task is running the annual Royal Show held at The National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh, Kenilworth, Warwickshire. Abbreviation: RASE. The RASE promotes agricultural innovation and best practices, benefiting farmers through resources and knowledge sharing.

radish: A small plant with red or white roots used mainly in salads. Provides farmers with a quick-growing crop that can be sold fresh or used to diversify their produce offerings.

rib grass: A palatable deep-rooting herb with a high mineral content, which may benefit pasture. Incorporating rib grass into pastures improves forage quality and supports livestock health.

right of access: The right of someone to be able to get to land by passing over someone else’s property; the right of the public to walk in areas of the countryside, providing they do not harm crops or farm animals. Understanding right of access helps farmers manage land use and protect crops and livestock.

rootstock: A plant with roots onto which a piece of another plant is grafted. Using rootstock supports successful grafting and improves crop quality and productivity.

rural affairs: The activities and concerns of rural communities. Understanding rural affairs helps farmers engage with community issues and promote rural development.

red corpuscle: A red blood cell which contains haemoglobin and carries oxygen to the tissues. Understanding blood components is important for diagnosing and treating livestock health issues.

RQ: Abbreviation for respiratory quotient. Monitoring respiratory quotient helps farmers assess livestock health and optimize feeding strategies.

rookery: A breeding place for a colony of rooks. Managing rookeries helps farmers protect crops and manage bird populations.

range management: The practice of managing rangelands for sustainable livestock grazing and ecosystem health. Proper range management balances animal needs with environmental conservation.

rear: To look after young animals until they are old enough to look after themselves. Proper rearing practices ensure the health and productivity of livestock.

rural development agency: An official body set up to develop policies and oversee rural development. Rural development agencies support farmers by providing resources and implementing development projects.

rendzina: Soil developed on chalk and limestone rocks characterized by its shallowness and lack of true subsoil. Managing rendzina soil helps farmers optimize crop production on challenging soil types.

rack: A frame of wooden or metal bars which holds fodder, and from which animals can eat. Helps farmers efficiently feed livestock, reducing waste and ensuring animals have constant access to food.

renewable resource: A natural resource that replaces itself unless overused, e.g. animal or plant life, fresh water, or wind energy. Managing renewable resources sustainably ensures long-term farm productivity and environmental health.