Category: W

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.

water balance: A state in which the water lost in an area by evaporation or by runoff is replaced by water received in the form of rain, or a state in which the water lost by the body in urine and perspiration or by other physiological processes is balanced by water absorbed from food and drink. Maintaining water balance is crucial for sustainable farming and crop health.

wet-feeding: A method of feeding livestock such as pigs in which the animal has access to dry feedingstuffs and water at the same time. Using wet-feeding systems can improve feed efficiency and animal growth.

worms: Worms refer to parasitic worms infesting animals. Managing worm infestations is crucial for maintaining livestock health and ensuring high yields in dairy and meat production.

wireweed: Wireweed, or knotgrass, is a common weed affecting crops. Farmers need to manage wireweed to protect crop health and ensure optimal yields.

Welsh black: A hardy dual-purpose breed of cattle formed when the northern Anglesey strain was bred with the Castlemartin strain. Welsh blacks produce a reasonable milk yield and very lean meat. Raising Welsh black cattle can provide high-quality meat and milk, enhancing farm profitability.

wetlands: An area of land which is often covered by water or which is very marshy. Managing wetlands can support biodiversity and provide valuable ecosystem services on the farm.

windrow pick-up: A windrow pick-up is a mechanism that lifts a crop into a harvester. It helps farmers automate the harvesting process, reducing labor and time required for crop collection.

wholefood: Food such as brown rice or wholemeal flour that has not been processed and so contains the vitamins, minerals, and fibre that are removed by processing. Offering wholefoods can cater to health-conscious consumers and increase farm income.

withers: Withers are the ridge between the shoulder blades of an animal. Understanding animal anatomy helps farmers in proper livestock handling and health management.

wholemeal: Flour that contains a large proportion of the original wheat seed, including the bran. Using wholemeal can provide a nutritious food product, enhancing farm profitability.

Water Framework Directive: A basis for future policy decisions in the European Union, setting objectives for water use and management and waste water disposal. Abbr WFD. Complying with the Water Framework Directive can improve water management and environmental sustainability on the farm.

windrowed: Windrowed refers to a crop that has been lifted and left in a swath. This method helps in drying and preparing crops for collection, making the harvesting process more efficient.

wool ball: A wool ball is a mass of wool found in the stomachs of lambs. Farmers need to monitor and manage wool balls to prevent digestive issues and ensure the health of their lambs.

Welfare of Animals Regulations 1995: A piece of legislation which sets out rules under which animals should be slaughtered or killed, including making it an offence to cause unnecessary pain or distress during the slaughter process. Abbr WASK. Complying with WASK regulations can ensure humane treatment of animals and improve farm standards.

Westerwold ryegrass: An annual type of ryegrass, which is a fast-growing summer crop. Growing Westerwold ryegrass can provide quick-growing forage for livestock, improving feed availability.

White-faced Woodland: A large hill breed of sheep, with white face and legs and pinkish nostrils. The ram has heavy twisted horns. Found mainly in the South Pennines, it has been crossed with other hill breeds to give them its size and vigour. Also called Penistone. Raising White-faced Woodland sheep can provide high-quality wool and meat, enhancing farm income.

wean: To remove a young animal from the milk source of its mother. Weaning is common at 5 weeks. Proper weaning practices can improve animal health and growth, enhancing productivity.

worrying: Worrying is the chasing of livestock by uncontrolled dogs. Farmers need to protect their animals from worrying to prevent stress and injuries, ensuring livestock welfare and productivity.

willow: Willow is a temperate hardwood tree often grown near water. It can be coppiced or pollarded to produce biomass for fuel, offering an additional income source for farmers.

wild oats: Wild oats are a type of weed found in cereal crops. Effective management of wild oats is essential for farmers to ensure healthy crop yields, often achieved through selective herbicides or manual weeding.

Women’s Food and Farming Union: The Women’s Food and Farming Union (WFFU) is an association for women in farming focused on sustainability and environmental considerations. Farmers can benefit from the resources and support provided by WFFU to promote sustainable farming practices.

waterfowl: Birds which spend much of their time on water, e.g. ducks. Managing waterfowl can enhance biodiversity and provide additional farming opportunities.

Woodland Grant Scheme: The Woodland Grant Scheme supports good management of forests and woodlands. Farmers can benefit from these grants to improve their woodlands and enhance environmental sustainability.

WFA: Abbreviation for Whole Farm Approach. Implementing the Whole Farm Approach can streamline farm management and reduce administrative burdens.

WTOWTO: 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.