Category: R

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.

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.