Cockerel
Cockerel: Cockerel noun a young male chicken, up to 18 months old. Raising cockerels supports poultry operations and provides meat for markets.
Agricultural Terms and Helpful Expert Insight
orfor: A virus disease affecting sheep, cattle, and goats, and easily passed on to humans. The disease causes scabs and ulcers which affect the mouth, nose, and eyes. Managing orfor is crucial for animal and human health. Farmers can benefit from implementing biosecurity measures, regular health monitoring, and prompt treatment to prevent and control outbreaks.
waste management: The process of handling waste materials to minimize environmental impact. Effective waste management practices improve farm sustainability and hygiene.
dunging passage: A passage at the back of a cow shed, into which dung can be washed with water. Dunging passages help maintain cleanliness and hygiene in livestock housing, preventing the buildup of waste.
belladonna: Another name for deadly nightshade, a toxic plant. Farmers should recognize and manage belladonna to prevent livestock poisoning.
bridge method: A technique used in grafting where a scion is inserted into a stock. Using the bridge method supports successful plant grafting and propagation.
Cattle Identification Document (CID): A document identifying an animal and showing its movements from owner to owner. Using CIDs helps farmers track livestock, manage herd health, and comply with regulations.
dessert fruit: Fruit which are sweet and can be eaten raw, as opposed to being cooked. Dessert fruits are valuable for fresh consumption and can provide a profitable income stream for farmers. Proper cultivation, harvesting, and post-harvest handling techniques are essential for maintaining the quality of dessert fruits. Understanding market demands and consumer preferences can help farmers optimize their production and marketing strategies for dessert fruits.
spring wheat: wheat which is sown in spring and harvested towards the end of the summer. Growing spring wheat provides farmers with a seasonal crop that supports crop rotation and sustainable agricultural practices.
national list: a list of agricultural crop varieties tested by the NIAB and available for sale. Under EU regulations, all seeds sold to farmers or horticulturists must be tested and certified. The national list ensures that farmers have access to high-quality, certified seeds that meet stringent standards for performance and safety. By choosing seeds from the national list, farmers can reduce the risk of crop failures, enhance yields, and improve the overall quality of their produce. This reliable seed source supports sustainable agricultural practices and boosts farm profitability.
outbreeding: Breeding between individuals that are not related. Outbreeding can enhance genetic diversity and improve livestock health and productivity. Farmers can benefit from implementing outbreeding strategies to strengthen their herds and flocks.
enzootic pneumonia: A disease of pigs, previously thought to be caused by a virus. Symptoms include coughing and stunted growth. Abbr EP. Managing enzootic pneumonia is crucial for farmers to ensure the health and productivity of their pigs.
sole furrow: the last slice cut during ploughing. Proper ploughing techniques, such as creating sole furrows, ensure efficient soil preparation and promote healthy crop growth.
pasture topper: A piece of machinery that is attached to the back of a tractor and used to keep grassy areas such as pastures free from weeds and coarse grasses. Using pasture toppers helps maintain healthy pastures by controlling weed growth.
spot price: the market price for produce or livestock at a specific time. If most of the feeds needed can be bought forward during dips in the market, the end result is a high quality, highly competitive diet and significant feed cost savings compared to spot prices. [Farmers Guardian]. Monitoring spot prices helps farmers make informed decisions about sales and purchases, optimizing profitability.
Golden Guernsey: Golden Guernsey is a breed of goat. Knowledge of specific breeds allows farmers to choose the best animals for milk or meat production, improving farm efficiency and product quality.
O: Represents oxygen, an essential element for respiration in all living organisms. In the EUROP carcass classification system, ‘O’ indicates below-average quality. Ensuring adequate oxygen levels in livestock barns and storage facilities helps maintain animal health and food quality, preventing respiratory issues and spoilage of stored products.
The overall well-being of dairy cows, encompassing disease prevention, nutrition, and management practices. Dairy cow health is crucial for productivity and milk quality. For example, implementing comprehensive health programs to ensure the well-being of the herd.
Townshend, Viscount (16741738): An 18th-century Norfolk landowner. Nicknamed Turnip Townshend, he did much to make the Norfolk four-course rotation system popular. Understanding historical agricultural practices like Townshend’s rotation system can provide insights into sustainable farming techniques.
septic tank: An underground tank for household sewage that is not connected to the main drainage system and in which human waste is decomposed by the action of anaerobic bacteria. Farmers benefit from using septic tanks for waste management and sanitation.
Hisex Brown/Hisex White: A hybrid breed of laying fowl. Raising Hisex breeds provides farmers with efficient egg production and resilient poultry.
J abbreviation: Joule – a unit of measurement of energy. Symbol J. Helps farmers understand energy use in agricultural processes.
A contest where exhibitors are judged on their ability to present and handle livestock in the show ring. Showmanship competitions emphasize skill and presentation. For instance, training for showmanship competitions to improve handling techniques and achieve success in livestock shows.
Central Veterinary Laboratory (CVL): A veterinary service set up to assist the Governments department for agriculture and food by researching infectious diseases. Engaging with CVL helps farmers adopt best practices for livestock health and disease prevention.
swath turner: a haymaking machine used to move individual swaths sideways and turn them over at the same time, so making the drying process faster. It is also used in wet conditions to scatter a swath to dry it more quickly. Using swath turners ensures efficient haymaking and fodder quality, supporting livestock nutrition and farm productivity.