Category: V

variant CJD: A form of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease which was observed first in the 1980s, especially affecting younger people. Understanding and preventing variant CJD can protect livestock health and public safety.

valine: An essential amino acid. Ensuring adequate valine in livestock diets can improve growth and overall health, enhancing meat and milk production.

vertebrate: An animal that has a backbone. Understanding vertebrate biology can help in managing livestock health and productivity.

vasectomy: An operation to cut the duct which takes sperm from the testicles, making the animal infertile. Vasectomy can be used in controlled breeding programs to manage livestock populations effectively.

Veterinary Investigation Diagnosis Analysis: A method of data recording and retrieval for veterinary diagnostic laboratories. Using VIDA can improve disease tracking and management in livestock.

variety: A plant or animal group with distinct characteristics within a species. Selecting the right variety improves crop yield and resilience.

vigorous: Growing strongly. Ensuring vigorous growth in crops can improve yields and overall farm productivity.

Vicia: The Latin name for beans such as broad beans. Cultivating Vicia species can provide nutritious feed for livestock and improve soil fertility.

vine crops: Crops (Cucurbitaceae) such as cucumber, marrow, gourds, and melons, which are annuals and produce long trailing shoots and heavy fleshy fruit. Growing vine crops can provide nutritious and profitable produce.

vitamin E: A vitamin found in vegetables, vegetable oils, eggs, and wholemeal bread. Adequate vitamin E intake can improve reproductive health and immune function in livestock.

verge: The edge or boundary of something or an area of grass and other plants at the side of a road. Managing verges can support biodiversity and prevent soil erosion on the farm.

vegetable oils: Oils obtained from plants and their seeds, which are low in saturated fats. Producing vegetable oils can provide a healthy food product and an additional income stream for farmers.

vegetable: A plant grown for food, especially plants grown for leaves, roots, or pods or seeds that are usually cooked. Growing a variety of vegetables can provide a diverse and nutritious food supply, enhancing farm sustainability.

violet root rot: A common disease of sugar beet in which a violet-colored fungus (Helicobasadium purpureum) grows on the surface of the root. Managing violet root rot can prevent crop losses and improve sugar beet yields.

V-graft: A method of grafting where the stem of the stock is trimmed to a point and the stem of the cutting is split to allow it to be fitted over the point of the stock. Using V-grafts can improve plant propagation and crop yields.

vermicide: A substance that kills worms. Using vermicides can control parasitic worms in livestock, improving animal health and productivity.

VOC: Abbreviation for volatile organic compound. Managing VOC emissions can improve air quality and environmental sustainability on the farm.

vegetative propagation: The artificial reproduction of plants by taking cuttings or by grafting, not by seed. Using vegetative propagation can ensure consistent crop quality and improve farm productivity.

volatile organic compound: An organic compound which evaporates at a relatively low temperature. Managing VOC emissions can improve air quality and environmental sustainability on the farm.

vitamin A: A vitamin which is soluble in fat and can be synthesized in the body from precursors, but is mainly found in food such as liver, vegetables, eggs, and cod liver oil. Ensuring adequate vitamin A intake can improve animal growth and disease resistance.

verandah: A type of housing for poultry or pigs with a slatted or wire floor, through which the droppings fall. Using verandah housing can improve hygiene and reduce disease in poultry and pigs.

vine: A plant that supports itself by climbing up something or creeping along a surface. Growing vine crops can provide high-value produce and diversify farm income.

vitamin B1: A vitamin found in yeast, liver, cereals, and pork. Adequate vitamin B1 intake can improve energy metabolism and overall health in livestock.

vernal: Referring to the spring. Understanding vernal growth patterns can help in planning crop cycles and improving farm productivity.

viral: Referring to or caused by a virus. Understanding viral diseases can help in preventing and managing outbreaks in crops and livestock, protecting farm productivity.

vermiculite: A form of silica processed into small pieces, used instead of soil in horticulture because it retains moisture. Using vermiculite can improve plant growth and soil health, enhancing crop yields.

vermifuge: A substance used to get rid of parasitic worms in the intestines of livestock. Regular use of vermifuges can prevent worm infestations, maintaining livestock health and productivity.

vining peas: Peas used for canning or freezing. Growing vining peas can provide a steady income stream from the processed food market.

vaccinate: To use a vaccine to give a person or animal immunization against a specific disease. Vaccination is crucial for preventing diseases in livestock, ensuring the health and productivity of farm animals.

vermiculture: The cultivation of worms for composting and soil enhancement. Vermiculture enhances soil health and fertility through organic waste recycling.

viscera: The internal organs, in particular the intestines and other contents of the abdomen. Understanding livestock anatomy, including the viscera, can help in managing animal health effectively.

Veterinary Surveillance Strategy: A 10-year initiative by Defra to monitor animal diseases in farms, so that the information can be used to plan future health and welfare practices. The VSS helps in early disease detection and effective management, protecting livestock health.

ventilation: The process of air passing in and out of a place freely. Ensuring adequate ventilation can improve animal comfort and health, enhancing productivity.

veterinary science: The scientific study of diseases of animals and their treatment. Veterinary science is essential for developing effective disease management practices and improving animal health.

varietal: A variety of cultivated plant such as a grapevine. Selecting high-performing varietals can improve crop yields and quality, enhancing farm profitability.

veal crate system: An intensive method of veal production, where calves are kept in crates. Understanding and managing veal production systems can improve animal welfare and product quality.

Veterinary Laboratories Agency: An executive agency of Defra which diagnoses, tracks, and researches disease in animals. The VLA’s work is crucial for managing animal health and preventing disease outbreaks.

vegetative: Referring to plants. Maintaining vegetative cover can enhance soil fertility and prevent erosion, supporting sustainable farming practices.

VMD: Abbreviation for Veterinary Medicines Directorate. The VMD ensures the safe and effective use of veterinary medicines, protecting animal health.

volatile oils: Concentrated oils from a scented plant used in cosmetics or as antiseptics. Producing volatile oils can provide an additional income stream for farmers.

vacuum silage: Silage placed in large polythene bags, usually by a baler specially adapted for this purpose. Air is excluded, so preventing the development of moulds and the green crop is conserved in succulent form. Vacuum silage can improve feed quality and storage efficiency, providing nutritious feed for livestock.

vigour: Strength and energy. Promoting vigour in plants and animals can enhance productivity and resilience on the farm.

vitamin B2: A vitamin found in eggs, liver, green vegetables, milk, and yeast. Adequate vitamin B2 intake can improve growth and health in livestock.

vernalisation: A requirement by some plants for a period of cold in order to develop normally or the technique of making a seed germinate early by refrigerating it for a time. Using vernalisation can improve germination rates and crop yields.

Vulgare: The Latin name meaning ‘common,’ often used in plant names. Understanding plant taxonomy can improve crop management and biodiversity on the farm.

vCJD: Abbreviation for variant CJD. Understanding and preventing vCJD can protect livestock health and public safety.

virus: A microorganism consisting of a nucleic acid surrounded by a protein coat which can only develop in other cells, often destroying them. Managing virus infections in crops and livestock is crucial for maintaining farm productivity and preventing losses.

vaccinia: Same as cowpox (technical). Understanding vaccinia can help in managing and preventing diseases in livestock, maintaining animal health.

volunteer: A plant that has grown by natural propagation, as opposed to having been planted. Managing volunteer plants can prevent competition with crops and improve farm productivity.

vaccination: The action of vaccinating someone against a disease. Vaccination helps in building immunity in livestock, reducing the incidence of diseases and improving overall herd health.