Category: R

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.

rabbit: A common furry herbivorous rodent (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Raised for meat and fur. Wild rabbits can be pests. Provides farmers with additional income sources from meat and fur production, though they need to manage wild populations to protect crops.

red fescue: A species of grass (Festuca rubra), used on hill and marginal land and in fine-leaved lawns. Red fescue is valuable for pasture management and soil erosion control.

rotating flails: Parts used on manure spreaders to distribute materials and on machines for cutting crops or grass verges. Using rotating flails supports efficient material distribution and vegetation management.

RASE: Abbreviation for Royal Agricultural Society of England. This society promotes agricultural innovation and best practices, benefiting farmers through resources and knowledge sharing.

refrigerated processed foods of extended durability: Prepared and chilled food such as ready meals, which can be kept for longer than fresh food. Abbreviation: REPFEDs. Producing REPFEDs allows farmers to add value to their products and reach broader markets.

roller table: A machine, consisting of a horizontal line of rotating rollers, used for removing stones and clods from a crop such as potatoes. Using roller tables ensures clean and high-quality produce.

runoff: The flow of rainwater or melted snow from the surface of land into streams and rivers; the flow of excess fertilizer or pesticide from farmland into rivers. Nitrate runoff causes pollution of lakes and rivers. Fish are extremely susceptible to runoff of organophosphates; the portion of rainfall which finally reaches a stream. Managing runoff helps farmers protect water quality and ensure sustainable land use.

recumbent: Referring to animals which are lying down, as in the case of cows after illness or injury. Managing recumbent animals is crucial for farm animal welfare and recovery from illness or injury.

Rural Stewardship Scheme: In Scotland, a scheme of payments to encourage farmers to be involved in the protection and enhancement of the environment, to support sustainable rural development, and to maintain the prosperity of rural communities. The Rural Stewardship Scheme provides farmers with financial incentives for sustainable land management practices.

ram: A male sheep or goat that has not been castrated. Rams are essential for breeding programs, ensuring the production of healthy offspring and maintaining flock quality.

rodent: A mammal that has sharp teeth for gnawing, e.g. a rat or mouse. Effective rodent control is crucial for protecting farm produce and livestock health.

receptacle: The top part of a flower stalk that supports the flower. In some plants, such as strawberries, it develops into the fruit. Knowledge of plant anatomy helps farmers improve crop yields and quality.

Red: The English name for the Rouge de l’Ouest breed of sheep. This breed offers farmers a valuable source of high-quality meat and wool, contributing to farm income.

RAAW: An independent section of the Transport and General Workers Union representing the interests of farmworkers in negotiating terms and conditions of their employment. Ensures fair working conditions and wages for farmworkers, promoting better labor relations and productivity on farms.

ruminant: An animal that has a stomach with several chambers, e.g. a cow. Understanding ruminant digestion helps farmers manage livestock diets and improve productivity.

rat: A rodent of the genus Rattus with a long tail, similar to but larger than a mouse, which can be very destructive of growing and stored crops and also carry disease to cattle and pigs. Effective rodent control is crucial for protecting farm produce and livestock health.

rotenone: The active ingredient of the insecticide derris. Using rotenone supports effective pest management in organic farming systems.

rural development: A program of activities undertaken to ensure that rural areas remain economically and socially sustainable. Promoting rural development supports agricultural growth and improves rural livelihoods.

round baler: A tractor-drawn machine which straddles the swath with a pickup cylinder. The crop is passed over a system of belts to form a round bale; when the bale is complete, twine is wrapped around it and it is thrown out of the machine. Using round balers supports efficient forage harvesting and storage.

regulate: To change or maintain something by law; to control the growth of a plant. Effective regulation ensures sustainable farming practices and compliance with agricultural standards.

refrigerator ship: A ship which carries produce under refrigerated conditions. Utilizing refrigerator ships enables farmers to export perishable goods to international markets while preserving quality.

reaping hook: A short-handled semicircular implement with a sharp blade, formerly used for cutting corn by hand. Understanding traditional tools like the reaping hook provides historical context for modern agricultural practices.

red grouse: A species of grouse native to the British Isles. Maintaining populations of red grouse can enhance biodiversity and support sustainable hunting practices.

ryegrass: A term for a most important group of grasses. Many varieties of hybrid ryegrass are now used. They are crosses between perennial and Italian ryegrasses, and often also tetraploids. Growing ryegrass supports pasture health and livestock nutrition.

ray fungus: A bacterium which affects grasses and cereals, and can cause actinomycosis in cattle. Managing this bacterium helps protect crop and livestock health, ensuring stable farm productivity.