Category: T

tetracycline: An antibiotic used against various bacterial diseases. Proper use of tetracycline can help manage and treat bacterial infections in livestock, ensuring animal health and productivity.

target price: The wholesale price within the EU that market management is intended to achieve for certain products such as wheat. Understanding target prices helps farmers make informed marketing and pricing decisions.

tractor: A heavy vehicle with large wheels used for a range of tasks. On farms, it is mainly used for pulling cultivation and spraying equipment. Understanding tractor functions and maintenance can enhance farm operations and productivity.

tree preservation order: An order from a local government department that prevents a tree from being cut down. Abbr TPO. Complying with tree preservation orders supports environmental conservation and sustainable land use.

trailed implements: Implements such as harrows which are pulled behind a tractor. Understanding the use of trailed implements can enhance field operations and improve soil management.

tailbiting: A form of behavior, especially associated with pigs, where an animal bites the tail of another animal. Addressing tailbiting is important for animal welfare and preventing injuries that can lead to infections.

triazine: One of a group of soil-acting herbicides, e.g., Atrazine and Simazine. Maize is tolerant to these substances. Triazines will no longer be approved for use in the UK after December 2007. Understanding herbicide regulations can help farmers choose safe and effective weed control methods.

taproot: The thick main root of a plant which grows straight down into the soil. Understanding taproot systems helps farmers in selecting crops suitable for various soil conditions and improving soil health.

tenant: A person who pays rent for the use of a farm and land owned by a landlord. Tenant farming arrangements can provide access to land and resources for new or expanding farmers.

threadworm: A thin parasitic worm which infests the large intestine. Genus: Enterobius. Proper management of threadworm infections is essential for livestock health and productivity.

tea: The dried leaves of one or more shrubs of the Camellia family. Growing tea can provide an alternative income source and contribute to sustainable agriculture practices.

tunnel cloche: A long continuous covering over rows of plants, usually made of plastic. Implementing tunnel cloches can improve crop protection and growth.

tag: A label attached to an animal to identify it. Proper tagging of animals is vital for tracking health, breeding, and ownership, enhancing farm management and biosecurity.

tendril: A stem, leaf, or petiole of a plant modified into a thin touch-sensitive organ that coils around objects, providing support for climbing plants. Utilizing tendrils can help farmers manage vine crops more effectively, improving growth and yield.

tackroom: A room for storing harness equipment. Keeping tack in damp-free conditions ensures the longevity and functionality of the equipment, aiding in efficient farm operations.

teg: A sheep in its second year. Managing teg sheep effectively can optimize wool and meat production.

trocar: A pointed rod which slides inside a cannula to draw off liquid or to puncture an animal’s stomach to let gas escape, such as in the treatment of bloat. Using trocars can provide effective treatment for livestock health issues, improving animal welfare and productivity.

tare: Same as vetch. Also, the weight of a container or packaging in which goods are wrapped. Properly managing tare can enhance crop rotation and soil fertility, as well as accurate weight measurements for sales.

tined: With tines. Using tined equipment can improve soil aeration and preparation for planting.

Toggenburg: A small Swiss breed of goat, pale brown in color with white markings on the face, legs, and rump. In Britain, it has been developed into a larger, darker animal, which is a good milker with a long lactation period. Raising Toggenburg goats can provide high-quality milk and diversify farm products.

tunnel: A long enclosure, covered with a semicircular roof. Using tunnels can extend the growing season and protect crops from adverse weather.

tolerate: Not to react adversely to something. Cultivating crops and livestock that tolerate specific conditions can enhance farm resilience and productivity.

trailer: A machine used for carrying purposes. Trailers are of the two-wheel or four-wheel types and are used for carrying cereal and root crops and for general use on the farm. Proper use and maintenance of trailers can improve farm logistics and transport efficiency.

Townshend, Viscount (1674–1738): An 18th-century Norfolk landowner. Nicknamed ‘Turnip’ Townshend, he did much to make the Norfolk four-course rotation system popular. Understanding historical agricultural practices like Townshend’s rotation system can provide insights into sustainable farming techniques.

thrive: (Of an animal or plant) to develop and grow strongly. Ensuring conditions that allow plants and animals to thrive can enhance farm productivity and sustainability.

tel quel: Referring to the weight of any type of sugar in tonnes. Understanding tel quel helps in accurate trade and pricing of sugar products.

Tir Gofal: An agri-environmental scheme for Wales, established in 1999. Engaging with agri-environmental schemes like Tir Gofal can support sustainable farming practices and access to funding.

Tir Cymen: An agri-environmental scheme for Wales, closed to new entrants since 1998. Understanding past and current agricultural schemes can provide insights into sustainable practices and funding opportunities.

teat cup: A tube forming part of a milking machine, which fits over the teat of the cow. Ensuring proper use and maintenance of teat cups can improve milking efficiency and cow comfort.

trim: To cut off the end parts of something, e.g., the shoots from a bush or a hedge, usually to give the object a neater shape. Proper trimming practices can improve plant health and appearance, enhancing farm aesthetics and productivity.

tilth: A good light crumbling soil prepared to be suitable for growing plants. Working the soil into a fine tilth before sowing seeds can enhance seedling emergence and crop establishment.

Tull, Jethro: (1674–1740) An 18th-century gentleman farmer. He invented the mechanical seed drill and the horse-drawn hoe. Understanding historical figures like Jethro Tull can provide insights into the development of modern agricultural practices.

terrain: The ground or an area of land in terms of its physical surface features. Understanding the terrain is crucial for farm planning, crop selection, and managing equipment use.

tattoo: A mark made on an animal’s body to identify it. Using tattoos for animal identification supports breeding programs and disease control.

temporary grassland: Arable land sown to ley for a limited period. Utilizing temporary grasslands can improve soil fertility and provide rotational grazing options for livestock.

thornless: Referring to a plant without thorns. Developing thornless varieties can improve safety and ease of handling for farmers.

tripoding: The process of drying hay on a wooden frame in the field. It is rarely practised in the UK, but still common in some parts of Europe. Tripoding is also used as a means of drying out peas. Using tripoding techniques can preserve hay quality and improve drying efficiency.

toxic substance: A substance that is poisonous or harmful to humans, animals, or the environment. Proper handling and disposal of toxic substances can prevent contamination and ensure farm safety.

thornless: Referring to a plant without thorns. Developing thornless varieties can improve safety and ease of handling for farmers.

tallow: A cattle by-product produced by rendering down all the inedible waste, used in the manufacture of soap and formerly incorporated into animal feeds. Utilizing tallow can add value to livestock processing and create additional revenue streams.

thrush: A disease affecting the frog of a horse’s hoof. Recognizing and treating thrush can prevent lameness and improve horse health.

tocopherol: One of a group of fat-soluble chemicals that make up vitamin E. It is particularly abundant in vegetable oils and leafy green vegetables. Ensuring adequate tocopherol in livestock diets can improve reproductive health and prevent deficiencies.

title: The right to hold goods or property. A document proving a right to hold property. Maintaining clear title deeds is essential for legal security and managing farm property.

Thuya: The Latin name for cedar. Thuya species can be valuable for timber production and landscape use.

tender: Soft or susceptible to damage. Referring to a plant which cannot tolerate frost. Understanding plant tenderness helps farmers in selecting appropriate crops and managing growing conditions.

turnip: A brassica plant that has a swollen root, is an important forage crop, and is also used as a vegetable. Turnips can be harvested by machine and stored outdoors in clamps. In milder areas, they can be left growing in the fields and used when needed. Turnips are often grazed off in the field. Growing turnips can provide nutritious forage and food for livestock, improving farm productivity.

threshold price: In the EU, the lowest price at which farm produce imported into the EU can be sold. This is the price in the home market below which the government or its agencies must buy all the produce offered by producers for sale at that price. Knowing about threshold prices can help farmers navigate market regulations and optimize pricing strategies.

thrips: An insect that is a pest of vegetables, operating on the underside of leaves and leaving spots of sap or other liquid which are red or blackish-brown. Typical examples are the onion thrips, grain thrips, and pea thrips. Effective thrips management can protect crops and ensure better yields.

tetanus: An infection caused by Clostridium tetani in the soil, which affects the spinal cord and causes spasms, occurring first in the jaw. Recognizing and preventing tetanus through vaccination and wound management is crucial for livestock health and farmer safety.

tail tail: The tail of a pig, which may be docked to prevent injury. Understanding animal management practices like tail docking ensures pig health and welfare.