Category: R

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.

royalty: A payment made to plant breeders for the use of seed of registered plant varieties. Understanding royalty payments helps farmers access high-quality seeds and support plant breeding programs.

rainmaking: The attempt to create rain by releasing crystals of salt, carbon dioxide, and other substances into clouds. Although experimental, successful rainmaking can help farmers in drought-prone areas maintain crop yields.

replant disease: A condition affecting apple trees planted in an orchard which has been grubbed out. Managing replant disease is crucial for maintaining healthy orchards and optimizing fruit yields.

Rules of Good Husbandry: An unwritten set of ‘rules’ which, if they are deemed to have been broken by a tenant, can give a landlord the excuse to evict him. Understanding and following the Rules of Good Husbandry ensures sustainable farming practices and positive landlord-tenant relationships.

ragwort: A weed (Senecio jacobea) found in grassland that can cause poisoning of cattle, horses, and sheep. Controlling ragwort is essential for maintaining healthy pastures and preventing livestock poisoning.

riparian: Referring to the bank of a river. Understanding riparian zones helps farmers manage water resources and protect ecosystems.

reed: An aquatic plant growing near the shores of lakes, used to make thatched roofs. Understanding reed growth helps farmers manage wetland areas and utilize reeds for sustainable building materials.

replacement milk: Milk which is used to feed young animals which cannot be fed by their mothers. Proper use of replacement milk ensures young animals receive adequate nutrition, promoting growth and health.

rhizosphere: The soil surrounding the roots of a plant. Managing the rhizosphere supports healthy root development and improves overall crop productivity.

ring-barking: The cutting of a strip of bark from a tree as a means of making the tree more productive. It restricts growth and encourages fruiting. Understanding ring-barking helps farmers manage orchard productivity and improve fruit yields.

roll: A tractor-drawn implement used for breaking clods, firming the soil, pushing stones into the soil, and providing a smooth firm surface for drilling. Using rolls helps farmers prepare seedbeds and improve crop establishment.

reafforestation: The planting of trees in an area which was formerly covered by forest. Reafforestation helps farmers restore ecosystems, improve soil health, and contribute to carbon sequestration.

rural development policy: A set of aims and guidelines issued by an authority, used when planning rural development. Understanding rural development policy helps farmers engage with development initiatives and access support.

Rare Breeds Survival Trust: A trust established in 1973 to foster interest in breeds which have historical importance and may prove useful in the future. The trust supports farmers in preserving rare breeds, ensuring their continued existence and potential future value.

renewable energy: Energy from the Sun, wind, waves, tides, from geothermal deposits or from burning waste. Using renewable energy sources helps farmers reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lower farm operating costs.

reclaim: To make land usable for agricultural or commercial purposes, usually marshy land, a waste site, land which has previously been built on, or land which has never been cultivated. Land reclamation expands arable land and increases farming potential.

runner: A long shoot that grows sideways from a plant such as a strawberry, ending in a tuft of leaves which will take root. Managing runners supports successful plant propagation and crop establishment.

reproductive: Referring to the production of offspring. Understanding reproductive processes helps farmers optimize breeding programs and improve livestock production.

root: A part of a plant which is usually under the ground and absorbs water and nutrients from the surrounding soil; (of a plant) to produce roots. Understanding root systems helps farmers manage soil health and optimize crop production.

rotavirus: A wheel-shaped RNA virus that causes diarrhea in piglets, calves, and foals. Managing rotavirus is crucial for maintaining livestock health and productivity.

RTV: Abbreviation for rough terrain vehicle. Using rough terrain vehicles supports efficient farm operations in challenging environments.

retting: A process used in the preparation of flax, where flax is soaked in water and allowed to rot, so freeing the fibers from the plant stems. Utilizing retting helps farmers produce high-quality flax fibers for textile production.

rotary parlour: The most expensive and complex of the four milking systems, where the cows stand on a rotating platform with the milker in the middle. The operator may work on the inner or outer side of the circle. Using rotary parlours enhances milking efficiency and reduces labor costs.

rumen: The first stomach of ruminating animals such as cows, sheep, or goats, all of which have four stomachs. It is used for storage of food after it has been partly digested and before it passes to the second stomach. Understanding rumen function helps farmers optimize livestock diets and improve productivity.

RIW: Abbreviation for Rural Inspectorate Wales. RIW supports farmers by ensuring compliance with agricultural regulations and promoting best practices in farming.

rapeseed: The seed of the rape plant. Rapeseed is processed into oil and meal, offering farmers a profitable crop option with multiple market applications.

Rural Enterprise Scheme: A system of government support for the adaptation and development of the rural economy, community, heritage, and environment. It is part of the England Rural Development Programme. The Rural Enterprise Scheme provides farmers with opportunities for diversification and economic growth.

redlegs: A common weed (Polygonum persicaria) which affects spring crops and causes problems when harvesting. Also called redshanks. Managing redlegs is essential for protecting crop yields and ensuring efficient harvests.

rumen liquor: A concentrated liquid found in the rumen of an animal, used to test the digestibility of feed or the nutrient balance of an animal’s diet. Using rumen liquor analysis helps farmers optimize livestock nutrition and feed efficiency.

response: The beneficial reaction of a growing crop to the application of fertilizer. Monitoring crop response helps farmers optimize fertilizer use and improve yields.

rural area: An area in the countryside where the main activities are farming or forestry and where relatively few people live. Managing rural areas supports sustainable agriculture and rural livelihoods.

reseed: To reestablish a ley by sowing seed again. Reseeding improves pasture quality and productivity, supporting sustainable livestock grazing.

redshanks: Same as redlegs. Managing redshanks is essential for protecting crop yields and ensuring efficient harvests.

refrigeration: A method of prolonging the life of various foods by storing them at very low temperatures. Effective refrigeration reduces spoilage and waste, enhancing farm profitability.

refine: To process something to remove impurities. Refining agricultural products ensures higher quality and better market value, enhancing farm income.

refrigerate: To cool produce and keep it at a cool temperature. Refrigeration helps farmers preserve produce quality and extend shelf life, reducing waste and increasing marketability.

raspberry beetle: A serious pest (Byturus tomentosus) whose larvae feed on young raspberry fruit. Managing this pest is essential for farmers to protect raspberry crops and ensure high-quality yields.

riddle: A coarse sieve for sieving soil; to grade and sort produce according to size, using a sieve. Using riddles helps farmers manage soil quality and sort produce efficiently.

raceme: An inflorescence in which flowers are borne on individual stalks on a main flower stem. Understanding plant structures like racemes aids farmers in crop management and optimizing yields.

Romney: A hardy breed of sheep found in large numbers on Romney Marsh, which has heavy fine-quality long wool fleece. The Romney half-breed has been developed by crossing Romney ewes with North Country Cheviot rams, and has been widely exported. Also called Kent. Raising Romney sheep provides farmers with high-quality wool and meat, supporting diversified farm income.