Category: W

windbreak: A windbreak is a hedge or line of trees planted to protect land from wind. Windbreaks can significantly reduce soil erosion and protect crops, improving farm sustainability.

white mulberry: A tree grown for its leaves, on which silkworms feed. Cultivating white mulberry can support silk production and provide additional income streams.

walnut: A hardwood tree of the genus Juglans, with edible nuts. The timber is used in furniture making. Growing walnuts can provide high-value timber and nuts, diversifying farm income.

Wessex Saddleback: One of two saddleback breeds now joined with the Essex Saddleback to give the British Saddleback, a dual-purpose breed of pig, now rare. Preserving rare breeds like the Wessex Saddleback can maintain genetic diversity in livestock and provide high-quality meat.

warfarin: A substance used to poison rats, to which many rats in some areas are now resistant. Managing rodent populations can protect crops and prevent disease spread on the farm.

wheat: A cereal crop grown in temperate regions. Genus: Triticum. Wheat is one of the major arable crops. Growing wheat can provide a staple food product and a reliable income stream for farmers.

wholegrain: A cereal grain containing the whole of the original seed, including the bran. Growing and selling wholegrain products can provide a nutritious food option and a profitable market for farmers.

Wiltshire cure: The Wiltshire cure is a method of mild curing and smoking sides of bacon over wood fires. Farmers producing pork can use this technique to add value to their products and meet consumer demand for high-quality cured meats.

winter kill: Winter kill refers to the death of plants during winter. Farmers need to choose resilient crop varieties and implement protective measures to minimize winter kill.

wilt: Wilt refers to the drooping of plants due to lack of water, excessive heat, or disease. Understanding wilt can help farmers implement proper irrigation and disease management strategies to maintain healthy crops.

winter hardy: Winter hardy refers to plants that can survive outside during winter. Choosing winter-hardy crops ensures farmers have viable plants ready for growth in the spring.

winnow: Winnow means to separate grain from chaff by wind. Farmers use this process to clean grain, improving the quality of harvested crops for sale or storage.

white lupin: A new strain of lupin (Lupinus albus) that is able to withstand cold. Seeds are 40% protein and at least 12% edible oil. Growing white lupins can provide a high-protein feed source and a valuable crop for cold regions.

water table: The area below the soil surface at which the ground is saturated with water. Managing the water table can prevent soil degradation and improve crop health.

wolds: Wolds are areas of low chalk or limestone hills. Farmers in these areas need to adapt their farming practices to the unique soil and water conditions of wolds.

wether: A castrated male sheep. Managing wethers can improve wool and meat production, enhancing farm income.

whip and tongue cutting: A form of graft in which the stock and scion are cut diagonally to form large open surfaces with a small notch in each. The surfaces are bound together tightly with twine. Using whip and tongue cutting can improve plant propagation and crop yields.

wildlife: Wildlife refers to all wild animals, including birds, reptiles, and fish. Maintaining wildlife habitats on farms can improve ecological balance and benefit pest control, pollination, and soil health.

water bowl: A container for water in a stable or loose-box. Ensuring adequate water supply for animals can improve their health and productivity.

windrow: A windrow is a row of cut crop stalks laid on the ground to dry. Farmers use windrows to facilitate drying before baling or further processing, improving efficiency in crop management.

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.

water abstraction: The diversion or removal of water from any surface or underground source for some purpose, such as for irrigation. Managing water abstraction can ensure sustainable water use and improve irrigation efficiency.

windrower: A windrower is a machine that lifts and leaves crops in a swath. This equipment is vital for farmers to streamline the harvesting process, especially for crops like potatoes.

weather: Daily atmospheric conditions such as sunshine, wind, and precipitation in an area. Understanding weather patterns can improve farm planning and crop management, enhancing productivity.

winter: Winter is the coldest season of the year when many plants and animals enter dormancy. Farmers need to prepare for winter by managing livestock feeding, crop storage, and ensuring farm equipment is winterized.

wind: Wind refers to the movement of air in the lower atmosphere. Farmers need to consider wind patterns when planning crop layouts, windbreaks, and protection measures for their farms.

WATO: Abbreviation for Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1997. Complying with WATO regulations can ensure humane treatment of animals during transport, improving welfare standards.

winter feeding: Winter feeding involves providing livestock with hay, silage, and concentrates during winter months. Proper winter feeding ensures that livestock remain healthy and productive throughout the cold season.

waterwheel: A wheel with wooden steps or buckets that is turned by the flow of water against it and itself turns machinery such as a mill wheel or an electric generator. Using waterwheels can provide sustainable energy and milling options for farms.

work days: Work days are the number of days when land can be worked without damaging soil structure. Planning around work days helps farmers make the most of suitable weather conditions for farming activities.

wheatgerm: The central part of the wheat seed, which contains valuable nutrients. Using wheatgerm in animal diets can improve nutrition and health.

waste: Material that is thrown away by people or is an unwanted by-product of a process. Managing waste effectively can improve farm sustainability and environmental protection.

woolsorter’s disease: Woolsorter’s disease, or anthrax, is a serious bacterial infection. Farmers must be vigilant in monitoring livestock for signs of anthrax to protect animal and human health.

winter burn: Winter burn is leaf burn in winter caused by cold, dry winds. Farmers can protect plants from winter burn by using windbreaks and proper mulching techniques.

wood: Wood refers to the hard tissue of trees used for construction and fuel. Farmers can grow and harvest wood for use as building material or biomass, adding another income source.

Wyandotte: Wyandotte refers to a breed of chicken known for good egg and meat production. Farmers can benefit from raising Wyandottes to diversify poultry products and improve farm income.

whip: A short stick with a lash attached, used to control horses. Proper use of whips can improve horse training and management.

wart: A small often infectious growth, caused by a virus, that appears on the skin of an animal, or a similar growth on a plant. Managing warts can prevent health issues in livestock and improve productivity.

Whitbred shorthorn: A breed of white beef cattle. Raising Whitbred shorthorn cattle can provide high-quality meat, enhancing farm profitability.

weatings: A by-product of milling wheat, made up of brans of various particle sizes and varying amounts of attached endosperm, which is used as a feedingstuff. Also called wheatings. Using weatings as feed can provide a nutritious and cost-effective option for livestock.

wild: Wild refers to animals or plants that are not domesticated or cultivated. Understanding wild species is important for farmers to manage their land effectively, preserving biodiversity and preventing potential damage from wild animals.

ware growers: Farmers who grow potatoes for consumption, not for seed. Growing ware potatoes can provide a steady income stream from the food market.

wheatings: Another spelling of weatings. Using wheatings as feed can provide a nutritious and cost-effective option for livestock.

whipworm: A variety of worm affecting pigs, especially weaners. Managing whipworm can prevent health issues in pigs and improve growth and productivity.

Wiltshire horn: The Wiltshire horn is a breed of sheep known for its hardy nature and rapid-growing lambs. Farmers can benefit from raising this breed due to its resilience and productivity.

white mustard: A crop grown to increase the organic content of the soil by using it as a green manure. Using white mustard as green manure can improve soil fertility and crop yields.

wild crop: A wild crop is a plant that is harvested from the wild rather than being cultivated. Examples include wild berries or herbs. Farmers can diversify their income by harvesting wild crops available on their land.

wildlife reserve: A wildlife reserve is an area where animals and their habitats are protected. Farmers can benefit from these reserves by promoting biodiversity and potentially receiving support for conservation efforts on their land.

worm: A worm is an invertebrate animal with a soft body and no limbs. Soil health is improved by worms, which aerate the soil and enhance nutrient cycling, benefiting crop growth.

Welsh half bred: A cross between a border Leicester ram and a Welsh mountain ewe. Managing crossbreeds like the Welsh half bred can improve livestock performance and productivity.