Category: W

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.

white bird’s-eye: Same as chickweed. Managing chickweed can prevent competition with crops and improve pasture quality.

welfare: The fact of being happy, healthy, and well-looked-after. Ensuring animal welfare can improve productivity and farm sustainability.

Welfare of Animals Order 1997: A piece of legislation which sets out the minimum standard of welfare for animal in transport, including guidelines on vehicle condition, journey times, and necessary documentation. Abbr WATO. Complying with WATO regulations can ensure humane treatment of animals during transport, improving welfare standards.

water buffalo: A large buffalo with a grey-black coat and long backward-sloping horns (Bubalus bubalis), which is kept for its meat and used as a draught animal especially in Asia. Raising water buffalo can diversify livestock production and provide valuable meat and labor resources.

wasteland: An area of land that is no longer used for agriculture or for any other purpose. Reclaiming wasteland for agriculture can expand farm operations and improve land use.

well: A hole dug in the ground to the level of the water table, from which water can be removed by a pump or bucket. Using wells can provide a reliable water source for irrigation and livestock.

wood ash: Wood ash is the ash from burnt wood, a source of potash. Farmers can use wood ash as a natural fertilizer to improve soil fertility and crop yields.

Weil’s disease: A sometimes fatal disease of humans caused by Leptospira bacteria, caught from the urine of infected cattle or rats. Preventing Weil’s disease can protect human health and ensure safe farming practices.

weaner: A young animal which has been weaned, especially a young pig. Managing weaners can ensure their health and growth, improving meat production.

woodland: Woodland is an area with trees and spaces between them. Managing woodlands on farms supports biodiversity, provides habitat for wildlife, and can offer additional resources like timber and forage.

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.

World Trade Organization: The World Trade Organization (WTO) aims to reduce trade restrictions. Farmers benefit from fair trade practices and access to international markets promoted by the WTO.

wood alcohol: Wood alcohol, or methanol, is a type of alcohol derived from wood. Farmers can produce wood alcohol as a by-product of timber processing, utilizing all parts of harvested trees.

Water Act 1989: An Act of Parliament which made it an offence to cause a discharge of poisonous, noxious, or polluting matter or solid matter to any controlled water under the responsibility of the National Rivers Authority. Controls are also in force to ensure that silage, slurry, and fuel oil installations are of adequate standard. Complying with the Water Act can protect water quality and prevent pollution on the farm.

warping: A farming practice that permits a river to flood low-lying land to cover it with silt in which crops will be grown. Utilizing warping can improve soil fertility and crop yields.

William: William refers to a type of pear. Farmers growing William pears can benefit from understanding the best cultivation practices to produce high-quality fruit.

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

waste lime: Lime obtained from industrial concerns after it has been used as a purifying material. Using waste lime can improve soil pH and fertility, enhancing crop growth.

water mill: A mill which is driven by the power of a stream of water which turns a large wheel. Utilizing water mills can provide sustainable energy and milling options for farms.

wart disease: A notifiable disease of potatoes, in which warts appear on the surface of the tubers, and develop into large eruptions which may become larger than the potatoes themselves. Managing wart disease can prevent crop losses and improve potato yields.

White Leghorn: A laying breed of poultry. Raising White Leghorns can provide a reliable source of eggs, enhancing farm profitability.

wind chill factor: The wind chill factor calculates the risk of cold weather exposure by combining wind speed and temperature. Farmers can use this information to protect livestock and workers from harsh weather conditions.

wheat blossom midge: A pest that affects wheat. Managing wheat blossom midge can prevent crop losses and improve wheat yields.

wild radish: Wild radish, also known as runch, is a weed that can infest crop fields. Farmers can benefit from identifying and managing wild radish to prevent it from affecting crop productivity.