October 5, 2024
D

Draft Ewe

draft ewe: An ewe sold from a breeding flock of sheep while still young enough to produce lambs. Draft ewes are often sold to other farms to continue their productive lives.

O

Orfor

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.

D

Dunging Passage

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.

E

Euro

euro: A unit of currency adopted as legal tender in several European countries from January 1st, 1999. Understanding the euro helps farmers engage in international trade and manage financial transactions.

P

Parsnip

parsnip: A plant (Pastinaca sativa) whose long white root is eaten as a vegetable. Growing vegetables like parsnips can improve farm profitability and provide healthy food options.

B

Bone Meal

bone meal: A fertilizer made from ground animal bones, rich in phosphorus and calcium. Using bone meal improves soil fertility and provides essential nutrients for crops.

G

Gherkin

gherkin: A small cucumber grown for pickling. Growing gherkins can diversify farm products and provide additional income through fresh sales and value-added products like pickles.

S

Sawdust

sawdust: Powder produced when sawing wood. Sawdust is used both as a mulch for plants and as bedding for animals. Farmers benefit from using sawdust for soil improvement and livestock comfort.

D

Dessert Fruit

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.

S

Spring Wheat

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.

C

Cochineal

Cochineal: Cochineal /k?t?i ni:l/ noun a red coloring matter obtained from the dried body of an insect, the female concilla (Coccus cacti) found in Mexico, Central America, and the West Indies. Utilizing cochineal for natural dyes enhances sustainable farming practices.

S

Sphagnum

sphagnum: a type of moss that grows in acid conditions. Cultivating sphagnum provides farmers with a valuable resource for horticulture and soil improvement, supporting sustainable practices.

N

National List

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.

O

Outbreeding

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.

C

Carbon

Carbon: A common non-metallic element essential for living matter and organic chemical compounds. Carbon plays a crucial role in soil health and crop productivity, making it important for farmers to manage carbon levels in their farming practices.

S

Shoot

shoot: 1. A new growth from the stem of a plant 2. Part of a young seed plant, the stem and first leaves which show above the surface of the soil. To kill something with a gun. Farmers benefit from managing shoots for successful plant growth and crop production.

E

Enzootic Pneumonia

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.

S

Sole Furrow

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.

P

Pasture Topper

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.

S

Spot Price

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.

G

Golden Guernsey

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

O

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.

T

Tolerate

tolerate: Not to react adversely to something. Cultivating crops and livestock that tolerate specific conditions can enhance farm resilience and productivity.

W

Wilting

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.

Dairy Health

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.

T

Trailer

trailer: A machine used for carrying purposes. Trailers are of the two-wheel or four-wheel types and are used for carrying cereal and root crops and for general use on the farm. Proper use and maintenance of trailers can improve farm logistics and transport efficiency.

T

Townshend, Viscount (1674–1738)

Townshend, Viscount (1674–1738): 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.

S

Septic Tank

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.

M

Mma

MMA: same as farrowing fever. Understanding and managing farrowing fever can help farmers ensure the health and productivity of their livestock.

M

Millstone

millstone: a heavy round slab of stone, used to grind corn. Proper management and maintenance of millstones can help farmers process their grain more effectively, ensuring better quality and marketability.

C

Camellia

Camellia: A family of semi-tropical evergreen plants, including the tea plant. Cultivating camellias, such as tea plants, can provide valuable crops for commercial use, diversifying farm income.

Showmanship Competition

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.

A

Allergy

allergy: A sensitivity to substances such as pollen or dust, which cause a physical reaction. Managing allergies helps farmers protect the health of their livestock and farm workers.

S

Swath Turner

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.

L

Lesion

Lesion: A lesion is an open wound on the surface of a plant or on the skin of an animal, caused by disease or physical damage. Properly managing lesions through prompt treatment can prevent infection and promote healing in livestock and crops.