Category: V

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.

VIDA: Abbreviation for Veterinary Investigation Diagnosis Analysis. Using VIDA can improve disease tracking and management in livestock.

vermin: An organism that is regarded as a pest, such as rats, often carriers of disease. Controlling vermin can prevent disease spread and protect crops and livestock on the farm.

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

voluntary restraint agreement: An agreement by which farmers agree not to spray in windy conditions. Such agreements are not legally binding. Abiding by voluntary restraint agreements can improve environmental protection and community relations.

variegated: Referring to a plant with different-colored patches. Recognizing variegation can aid in identifying specific plant varieties and managing crop diversity.

ventilate: To cause air to pass in and out of a place freely. Proper ventilation is essential for maintaining animal health and preventing respiratory diseases in livestock.

vineyard: A plantation of grapevines. Establishing vineyards can provide a profitable agricultural enterprise, especially in suitable climates for grape growing.

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.