Category: W

welfare legislation: A law or set of laws that makes it illegal to cause harm or distress to animals while caring for them. Complying with welfare legislation can ensure humane treatment of animals and improve farm practices.

wild chamomile: Wild chamomile, also known as mayweed, is a plant that can grow in fields. While it may not be directly useful for farmers, understanding its presence can help in managing crops and preventing unwanted spread.

web conveyor: A machine used to move material along a moving web; found on all types of harvesters and some processing machines. Using web conveyors can improve harvest efficiency and reduce labor costs.

wattle: Rods and twigs woven together to make a type of fence or a piece of fleshy skin hanging down below the throat of birds such as the turkey. Using wattle fencing can improve farm infrastructure and animal containment.

Welsh mountain: A hardy breed of sheep, well adapted to wet conditions. The animals are small with white faces and very fine fleece, and only the rams have horns. Raising Welsh mountain sheep can provide high-quality wool and meat, enhancing farm income.

water-soluble: Able to dissolve in water. Using water-soluble nutrients can improve plant health and growth, enhancing crop yields.

weathering: The alteration of the state of soil or rock through the action of natural agents such as rain, sun, frost, or wind or by artificially produced pollutants. Managing weathering can improve soil health and prevent erosion, supporting sustainable farming practices.

wintering grounds: Wintering grounds are areas where birds spend the winter. Farmers can manage these grounds to support local wildlife and maintain ecological balance.

wheatfeed: Same as wheat offals. Using wheatfeed as animal feed can provide a nutritious and cost-effective option for livestock.

woodfuel: Woodfuel is wood used as fuel. Farmers can use woodfuel for heating and cooking, reducing reliance on external energy sources and lowering operational costs.

whiteheads: Same as take-all. Managing take-all can prevent crop losses and improve yields.

wild white clover: Wild white clover is a variety of small-leaved clover that is drought-resistant and very productive. It is essential for long leys and improving soil fertility, benefiting farmers by enhancing pasture quality.

workability: Workability refers to the ability of soil to be cultivated. Farmers benefit from understanding soil workability to optimize tillage and planting operations.

World Food Programme: The World Food Programme provides international food aid. Farmers can engage with the program to support global food security initiatives and gain insights into sustainable agricultural practices.

wall barley grass: A weed (Hordeum murinum) found in grassland. Managing wall barley grass can prevent competition with crops and improve pasture quality.

weed: A plant that grows where it is not wanted, e.g. a poppy in a wheat field. Managing weeds effectively can improve crop yields and reduce competition for nutrients and water.

worm cast: A worm cast is waste soil expelled by earthworms. Farmers can use worm casts as natural fertilizer to improve soil structure and fertility.

wedge: Dorset wedge silage. Using wedge silage techniques can improve feed quality and storage efficiency, providing nutritious feed for livestock.

wild onion: Wild onion, also known as crow garlic, is a perennial weed affecting cereal crops. Farmers need to manage this weed to protect their crops, often through the use of specific herbicides.

winter greens: Winter greens are hardy varieties of Brassica grown for winter use. Farmers can benefit from growing winter greens to extend the harvest season and provide fresh produce during colder months.

Welsh mule: A cross between a Blue-faced Leicester and a ewe of one of the Welsh mountain breeds. Managing crossbreeds like the Welsh mule can improve livestock performance and productivity.

WASK: Abbreviation for Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995. Complying with WASK regulations can ensure humane treatment of animals and improve farm standards.

wild boar: Wild boar is a species of feral pig that is commonly found in parts of Europe. While wild boars can cause damage to crops, they are also bred on farms for their high-value meat. Farmers can benefit from raising wild boars as a source of income.

White Wyandotte: A dual-purpose breed of poultry. Raising White Wyandottes can provide high-quality eggs and meat, enhancing farm profitability.

waste management: The process of handling waste materials to minimize environmental impact. Effective waste management practices improve farm sustainability and hygiene.

wilting: Wilting is the limpness in plant tissues caused by insufficient water. Managing soil moisture levels is crucial for farmers to prevent wilting and ensure robust crop growth.

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.