Category: V

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.

vasectomize: To perform a vasectomy on an animal. Using vasectomized animals in breeding programs can help manage genetic diversity and improve herd health.

VLR: Abbreviation for vertical-looking radar. Using VLR can improve pest management and protect crops.

veterinary surgeon: A person who is qualified to give medical treatment to animals. Veterinary surgeons play a crucial role in maintaining livestock health and preventing diseases.

Victoria: A type of plum. Growing Victoria plums can diversify farm production and provide a profitable fruit crop.

VLAA: Abbreviation for Veterinary Laboratories Agency. The VLA’s work is crucial for managing animal health and preventing disease outbreaks.

verroa: A disease that affects bees. Managing verroa can protect bee populations and ensure effective pollination, supporting crop production.

vitamin D: A vitamin which is soluble in fat, and is found in butter, eggs, and fish. It is also produced by the skin when exposed to sunlight. Ensuring adequate vitamin D intake can improve bone health and growth in livestock.

verticillium wilt: A plant disease caused by a fungus, which makes leaves become yellow and wilt. Managing verticillium wilt can prevent crop losses and improve yields.

viner: A machine for harvesting vining peas. Using viners can improve harvest efficiency and reduce labor costs.

vagal indigestion: A disease of livestock due to malfunction of the vagus nerve which controls the activity of the stomach and intestines. Managing vagal indigestion can improve animal health and digestion, ensuring better nutrient absorption and productivity.

vector: An insect or animal which carries a disease or parasite and can pass it to other organisms. Managing vectors can reduce the spread of diseases, improving livestock health and farm productivity.

vitamin K: A vitamin found in green vegetables such as spinach and cabbage, which helps the clotting of blood and is needed to activate prothrombin. Ensuring adequate vitamin K intake can improve blood health and overall well-being in livestock.

venison: Meat from deer. Producing and selling venison can provide a high-value product for farmers, enhancing income.

veal: Meat of a young calf fed solely on a milk diet, slaughtered between three and fifteen weeks old. Producing veal can provide a high-value product for farmers, improving income.

vaccine: A substance which contains the germs of a disease, used to inoculate or vaccinate someone against it. Vaccines are crucial for preventing diseases in livestock, ensuring the health and productivity of farm animals.

variable premium: An extra payment which varies according to production quality. Understanding and utilizing variable premiums can incentivize higher quality production and increase farm revenue.

Voluntary Initiative: A five-year program of measures aimed at minimizing the environmental impact of crop protection products. Implementing the Voluntary Initiative can improve environmental sustainability on the farm.

vitamin B complex: A group of vitamins which are soluble in water, including folic acid, pyridoxine, and riboflavin. Ensuring adequate intake of the vitamin B complex can improve energy metabolism and overall health in livestock.

Veterinary Medicines Directorate: An executive agency of Defra which regulates the development and use of veterinary medicines. The VMD ensures the safe and effective use of veterinary medicines, protecting animal health.

vitamin: A substance not produced in the body, but found in most foods, and needed for good health. Ensuring adequate vitamin intake in livestock diets can improve health and productivity.

viviparous: Referring to an animal such as a mammal or some fish that give birth to live young. Understanding viviparous reproduction can improve livestock breeding and productivity.

ventricle: A chamber of the heart that receives blood from the atria and pumps it to the arteries. Understanding livestock anatomy, including the ventricle, can help in managing animal health effectively.

vertical-looking radar: Radar equipment used for analysis of features such as insect populations and movement. Using vertical-looking radar can improve pest management and protect crops.

viral strike: Any apparently new virus disease, borne by wind or vectors, which travels through a wide area causing devastating effects for a time, especially in large livestock units. Early detection and management of viral strikes can prevent widespread losses and protect farm profitability.

vitamin B6: A vitamin found in meat, cereals, and molasses. Adequate vitamin B6 intake can improve protein metabolism and overall health in livestock.

vertical farming: A method of growing crops in vertically stacked layers. Vertical farming maximizes space use and can be practiced in urban areas.

virgin land: Land which has never been cultivated. Utilizing virgin land for agriculture can open up new areas for production and diversify farm operations.

VRA: Abbreviation for voluntary restraint agreement. Abiding by voluntary restraint agreements can improve environmental protection and community relations.

vegetable protein: Protein obtained from cereals, oilseeds, pulses, green vegetables, and roots. Incorporating vegetable protein in livestock diets can improve animal health and growth, enhancing meat and milk production.

viticulture: The cultivation of grapes. Viticulture can be a profitable agricultural enterprise, especially in regions suitable for grape growing and wine production.

vanilla: A tropical climbing plant (Vanilla planifolia) which produces long pods, used for flavoring in confectionery. Cultivating vanilla can provide an additional income stream for farmers in suitable climates.

vice: A bad habit in an animal, such as biting other animals’ tails. Identifying and managing vices can improve animal welfare and productivity.

veterinary: Referring to the care of sick animals. Veterinary services are crucial for maintaining livestock health and productivity.

virgin: In its natural state, untouched by humans. Managing virgin land can preserve its ecological value and potentially provide new opportunities for sustainable farming.

vegetarian: A person who does not eat meat. Offering vegetarian products can cater to diverse consumer preferences and increase farm income.

vitamin C: A vitamin which is soluble in water and is found in fresh fruit, especially oranges and lemons, raw vegetables, and liver. Adequate vitamin C intake can improve immune function and overall health in livestock.

vetch: A leguminous plant (Vicia sativa). Vetches can be sown with oats as an arable silage, providing nutritious feed for livestock and improving soil fertility.

virus pneumonia: Enzootic pneumonia. Preventing and managing virus pneumonia in livestock can improve animal health and productivity.

vining: The harvesting of peas for processing. Efficient vining can improve pea quality and farm profitability.

variegation: A phenomenon in some plants where two or more colors occur in patches on the leaves or flowers. Managing variegation can help maintain aesthetic and genetic diversity in crops.

value added: The difference between the cost of the materials purchased to produce a product and the final selling price of the finished product. In agriculture, value-added activities like butchering or milling can increase profitability for farmers.

virus yellows: A disease of sugar beet and mangolds as a result of which the leaves turn yellow and the sugar content is greatly reduced. Managing virus yellows can prevent crop losses and improve sugar yields.

vomiting and wasting disease: A disease of piglets, symptoms of which include vomiting and loss of appetite. Managing this disease can improve piglet health and survival rates.

veterinarian: Same as veterinary surgeon. Consulting a veterinarian can ensure proper animal health care and disease management on the farm.

variant: A specimen of a plant or animal that is different from the usual type. Identifying and utilizing beneficial variants can improve crop and livestock performance, enhancing farm productivity.

vitamin B12: A water-soluble vitamin found especially in liver, milk, and eggs but not in vegetables, and important for blood formation, nerve function, and growth. Adequate vitamin B12 intake can prevent anemia and improve health in livestock.

vegetation: Plants that are growing or the set of plants that is found in a particular area. Proper management of vegetation can improve soil health, prevent erosion, and support biodiversity on the farm.

vibriosis: A venereal disease in cattle which leads to a high incidence of infertility and abortion. It can be prevented by vaccination. Managing vibriosis can improve reproductive success and productivity in cattle herds.