Category: W

weaning: The process of gradually introducing an animal to a diet other than its mother’s milk. Proper weaning practices ensure the health and growth of young animals.

weedkiller: Same as herbicide. Using weedkillers can effectively manage weeds and improve crop health and yields.

WFU: Abbreviation for Women’s Food and Farming Union. Engaging with organizations like WFU can provide valuable resources and support for women in farming.

wages: Money paid to an employee for work done. Fair wage practices can improve worker satisfaction and productivity on the farm.

White Park: A rare breed of cattle, white in colour with either black or red muzzle, eyelids, ears, and feet. It is one of the most ancient breeds of British cattle. Preserving rare breeds like White Park cattle can maintain genetic diversity and cultural heritage in livestock farming.

withstand: Withstand means to resist or not be affected by something. Choosing crops and livestock that can withstand adverse conditions is essential for farmers to ensure farm productivity and sustainability.

wet pluck: The process of removing the feathers when the carcass is wet. This is easier than dry plucking but may harm the skin. Using wet pluck methods can improve processing efficiency and product quality.

wheat bulb fly: A fly whose larvae feed on the roots of wheat. The central shoot turns yellow and dies. Managing wheat bulb fly can prevent crop losses and improve wheat yields.

watercourse: A stream, river, canal, or other flow of water. Maintaining watercourses can improve water management and environmental health on the farm.

wych elm: Wych elm is a type of elm tree. Understanding different tree species helps farmers manage woodlands and tree planting projects on their land.

white rot: A fungal disease of onions and leeks. The leaves turn yellow and a white mass appears on the bulb. Managing white rot can prevent crop losses and improve yields.

wool fat: Wool fat, or lanolin, is a protective fat covering sheep’s wool. Farmers can harvest lanolin for use in cosmetics and skin care products, adding value to sheep farming.

winter wash: Winter wash is an egg-killing spray applied to fruit trees in winter. Using winter wash helps farmers control pests and improve the health and productivity of their orchards.

Wensleydale: A longwool breed of sheep. The animals are large and polled, and the skin of the face, legs, and ears is blue. Wensleydales are now rare, but are still found in Yorkshire. Raising rare breeds like Wensleydale sheep can maintain genetic diversity and provide high-quality wool and meat.

white scour: A disease affecting young calves. Managing white scour can improve calf health and survival rates, enhancing farm productivity.

wheatmeal: Brown flour with a large amount of bran, but not as much as is in wholemeal. Using wheatmeal can provide a nutritious food product, enhancing farm profitability.

warble fly: A parasitic fly whose larvae infest cattle. Infestation by warble fly is a notifiable disease. Managing warble fly infestations can prevent health issues in cattle and improve productivity.

white clover: A type of perennial clover (Trifolium repens). There are several varieties including the large-leaved variety suitable for silage or hay and the small-leaved variety which is quick to establish and keeps out weeds and other grasses. Growing white clover can improve soil fertility and provide nutritious forage for livestock.

weed beet: A type of beet which is regarded as a weed because it produces seeds as opposed to roots which can be harvested. Weed beet affects sugar beet crops and can harbor rhizomania. It is controlled by limiting bolters and so preventing cross-pollination. The most effective control is by hand-pulling bolters. Managing weed beet can prevent crop losses and improve yields.

waterlogged: Referring to soil that is saturated with water and so cannot keep oxygen between its particles. Managing waterlogged soil can prevent crop losses and improve plant health.

Welsh: Referring to a breed of pig, white in color, with lop ears. It is one of the older breeds of British pig. Preserving traditional breeds like the Welsh pig can maintain genetic diversity and cultural heritage in livestock farming.

Whole Farm Approach: An official system of communication between the Government and farmers which is more streamlined and aims to avoid duplicated information and ‘red tape’. Abbr WFA. Implementing the Whole Farm Approach can streamline farm management and reduce administrative burdens.

WAOS: Abbreviation for Welsh Agricultural Organisation Society. Engaging with agricultural organizations like WAOS can provide valuable resources and support for farmers.

wither: Wither means to shrivel and die, usually due to lack of water. Farmers must ensure adequate irrigation to prevent crops from withering and maintain healthy plant growth.

wooden tongue: Wooden tongue, or actinobacillosis, is a bacterial infection in cattle. Farmers need to be aware of this disease for early detection and treatment to prevent losses in livestock health and productivity.

weevil: A kind of beetle which feeds on grain, nuts, fruit, and leaves. The larvae of grain beetles feed on the stored grain where they also pupate. Managing weevil infestations can prevent crop losses and protect stored produce.

wormer: A wormer is a substance used to deworm animals. Regular worming keeps livestock healthy and productive by controlling parasitic infections.

wind turbine: A wind turbine is a device that converts wind energy into electricity. Farmers can install wind turbines to generate renewable energy, reducing reliance on external power sources and lowering energy costs.

woody: Woody refers to plant tissue that is like wood or becoming wood. Understanding woody plants helps farmers in managing trees and shrubs on their land for various uses.

water melon: A plant of the genus Citrullus vulgaris with large green fruit with watery pink flesh. Growing watermelons can provide a profitable and nutritious crop.

windmill: A windmill is a structure with sails turned by the wind to provide power. Modern windmills, or wind turbines, can generate electricity for farm use, reducing energy costs and increasing sustainability.

wholesale: Wholesale refers to the selling of goods in large quantities at low prices, typically to retailers who then sell the goods in smaller quantities to consumers. This can benefit farmers by allowing them to sell their produce in bulk, reducing the time and effort required to find individual buyers and ensuring a steady income.

white corpuscle: A blood cell which does not contain hemoglobin. Understanding livestock biology, including white corpuscles, can help in managing animal health effectively.

wholesale seed merchant: A wholesale seed merchant is a dealer who sells large quantities of seeds, often to retailers or large-scale farmers. Farmers benefit from buying seeds wholesale as it often reduces costs and ensures a consistent supply of seeds for planting.

whey: A residue from milk after the casein and most of the fat have been removed. Whey is used as pig feed. Using whey can provide a nutritious and cost-effective feed option for pigs.

World Wide Fund for Nature: The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) focuses on wildlife conservation and environmental sustainability. Farmers can collaborate with WWF to enhance biodiversity and adopt sustainable farming practices.

whites: Same as metritis. Managing metritis can improve reproductive health and productivity in livestock.

welfare code: An official set of rules for making sure that animals are healthy and happy in a particular situation, e.g. in quarantine, or when being transported. Complying with welfare codes can improve animal health and farm standards.

watery mouth: A disease affecting newborn lambs. Managing watery mouth can improve lamb health and survival rates, enhancing farm productivity.

wing: Wing refers to the limbs of birds used for flying. In agriculture, understanding bird behavior can help farmers manage bird populations that may impact crops.

White Park: A rare breed of cattle, white in colour with either black or red muzzle, eyelids, ears, and feet. It is one of the most ancient breeds of British cattle. Preserving rare breeds like White Park cattle can maintain genetic diversity and cultural heritage in livestock farming.

water: A liquid which forms rain, rivers, lakes, and the sea and makes up a large part of the bodies of organisms. Water is essential to plant and animal life. Proper water management can improve farm productivity and sustainability.

warbles: Swellings on the backs of cattle caused by the warble fly. Managing warbles can prevent discomfort and health issues in cattle, improving their well-being and productivity.

whole crops: Crops used for silage which do not need wilting. Growing whole crops can provide a reliable source of silage, improving livestock nutrition.

water meter: A device that records the amount of water that passes through a pipe, e.g. to monitor the water intake of animals. Using water meters can improve water use efficiency and reduce costs on the farm.

White Plymouth Rock: A large heavy breed of table poultry. Raising White Plymouth Rock chickens can provide high-quality meat, enhancing farm profitability.

WFD: Abbreviation for Water Framework Directive. Complying with the Water Framework Directive can improve water management and environmental sustainability on the farm.

wool: Wool is the soft, curly hair of sheep, used for textiles. Farmers raising sheep can sell wool as a valuable product, diversifying farm income.

water catchment: The act of rainwater being collected in a place, whether naturally (in a surface pool) or deliberately (using a water catchment system). Implementing water catchment systems can improve water availability and sustainability on the farm.

winter wheat: Winter wheat is sown in autumn or early winter and harvested in summer. Farmers benefit from winter wheat as it maximizes land use and provides an early summer harvest.