Category: R

respiratory quotient: The ratio of the amount of carbon dioxide passed from the blood into the lungs to the amount of oxygen absorbed into the blood from the air. Abbreviation: RQ. Monitoring respiratory quotient helps farmers assess livestock health and optimize feeding strategies.

rumination: The process by which food taken to the stomach of a ruminant is returned to the mouth, chewed again, and then swallowed. Understanding rumination supports effective livestock feeding and health management.

rhubarb: A perennial plant (Rheum rhaponticum), of which the leaf stalks are cooked and eaten as dessert. It has a high oxalate content and the leaves are toxic. Growing rhubarb diversifies farm produce offerings and meets consumer demand for fresh and processed rhubarb products.

rural recreation: Same as countryside recreation. Promoting rural recreation supports agritourism and enhances farm income.

Regional Development Agency: An organization which promotes the social and economic benefits of living in a region and undertakes projects to bring new industries and jobs to the region. Abbreviation: RDA. RDAs support rural development and economic growth, benefiting farmers through improved infrastructure and market access.

refrigerator: A device for cooling produce and keeping it cool. Using refrigerators helps farmers maintain the quality and freshness of their products.

REACH: Abbreviation for Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restrictions of Chemicals. This regulation ensures that chemicals used in agriculture are safe, protecting farmworkers, consumers, and the environment.

ruddle: A red coloring material on a harness worn by rams so that ewes which have been mated will be marked and identified. Using ruddle helps farmers manage breeding programs and track mated ewes.

root crop: A plant that stores edible material in a root, corm, or tuber and is grown as food. Root crops include carrots, parsnips, swedes, and turnips. Starchy root crops include potatoes, cassavas, and yams. Growing root crops diversifies farm production and provides a stable source of nutrition.

rotational grazing: The movement of livestock around a number of fields or paddocks in an ordered sequence. Also called on-off grazing. Rotational grazing supports pasture health and productivity, improving livestock performance and reducing overgrazing.

residual herbicide: A herbicide applied to the surface of the soil which acts through the roots of existing plants and also new plants as they germinate. Using residual herbicides helps farmers control weeds effectively and protect crop yields.

rounds: Circular walls built to protect sheep from snow drifts. Using rounds helps farmers protect livestock from harsh weather conditions and ensure their safety.

ranching: An agricultural system based on commercial grazing on ranches; the raising of cattle on large grassland farms. Ranching supports sustainable livestock production and helps maintain open grasslands.

rotary sprinkler: A machine used for irrigation purposes. Sprinklers can be fitted with fine spray nozzles for protection of fruit crops and potatoes against frost damage. Using rotary sprinklers supports efficient irrigation and crop protection.

raise: To make plants germinate and nurture them as seedlings; to breed and keep livestock. Effective raising of crops and livestock ensures farm productivity and sustainability.

rotation of crops: Same as crop rotation. Rotating crops supports soil health, reduces pest and disease pressure, and improves overall farm productivity.

rainwater harvesting: The collection and storage of rainwater for agricultural use. Rainwater harvesting helps farmers manage water resources and reduce dependence on external water supplies.

rennet: An extract from the stomach of a calf; it contains the enzyme rennin, which clots milk. It is used in the production of certain milk products such as cheese. Using rennet allows farmers to produce high-quality dairy products, enhancing farm income.

rhizomania: A notifiable virus disease affecting sugar beet, in which hairs grow on the roots and the leaves turn yellow. Managing rhizomania is essential for maintaining healthy sugar beet crops and maximizing yields.

red clover: A short-lived deep-rooting species of clover (Trifolium pratense). Red clover improves soil fertility through nitrogen fixation and provides nutritious forage for livestock.

rickets: A disease of young animals due to deficiency of Vitamin D. Bones fail to ossify and joints become swollen. Preventing rickets ensures healthy growth and development in livestock.

retinol: A vitamin that is soluble in fat and can be formed in the body but is mainly found in food such as liver, vegetables, eggs, and cod liver oil. Also called vitamin A. Ensuring adequate retinol intake supports livestock health and growth.

ring bone: A growth of bony tissue in the joints of a horse’s foot. Managing ring bone is crucial for maintaining horse health and performance.

rooster: A cock, a male domestic fowl (especially US). Raising roosters is essential for breeding programs and ensuring flock health.

Royal Horticultural Society: A national society which organizes the Chelsea Flower Show and has permanent gardens at Wisley in Surrey. Abbreviation: RHS. The RHS provides resources and support for farmers and gardeners, promoting best practices in horticulture.

rough stalked meadow grass: A type of grass, highly palatable but low in production compared to ryegrass; common in lowland pastures on rich moist soils. When found in cereal crops it is treated as a weed. Managing rough stalked meadow grass supports pasture health and productivity.

rectum: The last part of the large intestine, where waste material accumulates before leaving the body through the anus. Understanding animal anatomy helps farmers manage livestock health and address digestive issues.

Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: A UK charity that runs centers to take care of animals in distress and lobbies the government on animal welfare legislation. Abbreviation: RSPCA. The RSPCA supports farmers by promoting animal welfare and ensuring compliance with animal protection laws.

ridger: A type of plough used to form ridges for earthing up crops such as potatoes. Using ridgers helps farmers manage soil structure and optimize crop production.

russet: A type of dessert apple with a rough brown skin. Growing russet apples provides farmers with a high-value fruit crop that meets consumer demand.

reticulum: The second stomach compartment of ruminants such as cows and sheep. Understanding ruminant digestion helps farmers optimize livestock diets and improve productivity.

rhizome: A plant stem that lies on or under the ground and has leaf buds, adventitious roots, and sometimes branches. Understanding rhizomes helps farmers manage perennial crops and optimize plant propagation.

resin: A sticky oil secreted by some conifers or other trees, especially when they are cut. Utilizing resin can provide farmers with additional income streams from forest products.

refrigerated lorry: A special lorry which carries produce under refrigeration. Using refrigerated lorries allows farmers to transport perishable goods over long distances while maintaining quality.

roundworm: A type of worm with a round body, some of which are parasites of animals, others of roots of plants. Managing roundworms is crucial for protecting livestock and crop health.

retard: To make something happen later. Understanding how to retard processes like spoilage helps farmers preserve produce quality and extend shelf life.

reproduction: The production of offspring. Managing reproduction ensures livestock health and productivity, supporting sustainable farm operations.

rook: A crow-like bird which causes much damage to crops. Effective rook management is crucial for protecting crop yields and minimizing losses.

RDA: Abbreviation for Recommended Daily Amount. Knowing RDAs helps farmers formulate balanced diets for livestock, ensuring they meet nutritional needs and maintain health.

ration formulation: The process of putting together different types of feedstuff to provide the amount of nutrients required by a particular animal or type of animal. Formulating rations helps farmers optimize livestock diets, enhancing growth rates and overall health.

runner bean: A garden bean (Phaseolus coccineus) grown exclusively for the fresh trade. Growing runner beans provides farmers with a high-value vegetable crop that meets consumer demand.

rabi: Alternative name for kohlrabi. Offers farmers a versatile crop option for diversification and potentially higher market value, contributing to farm income stability.

regulation: A rule made by a government or official body; a rule made by the Council of Ministers or the Commission of the EU, which has legal force in all member countries. Understanding regulations helps farmers comply with legal requirements and maintain farm productivity and market access.

rotary cultivator: A mounted or trailed machine with a shaft bearing a number of L-shaped blades. Rotary cultivators are used for stubble-clearing, seedbed work, and general land reclamation and cleaning. Using rotary cultivators improves soil preparation and crop establishment.

red deadnettle: A weed (Lamium purpureum) which is common in gardens and now affects cereals and oilseed rape. Also called French nettle. Effective weed management is crucial for protecting crop yields and quality.

Ribes: The Latin name for blackcurrant. Understanding plant taxonomy helps farmers communicate effectively about specific crops and improve management practices.

rake: An implement with a handle, a crossbar with several prongs, used for pulling hay together or for smoothing loose soil to form a seedbed. Rakes help farmers manage hay and prepare seedbeds efficiently.

row crops: Crops planted in rows, such as corn, soybeans, and cotton. Managing row crops effectively includes proper spacing, irrigation, and pest control.

race: A group of individuals within a species that are distinct physiologically or ecologically; also an improvised wooden way along which animals are made to walk. Knowledge of different races assists farmers in selective breeding programs and improves animal handling during transportation.

rural planning: Same as country planning. Effective rural planning supports sustainable agricultural development and land use.