Agricultural Terms and Helpful Expert Insight
digestible: Able to be digested. Glucose is an easily digestible form of sugar. Providing digestible nutrients is essential for maintaining the health and productivity of livestock. Farmers should work with veterinarians and nutritionists to ensure that animal diets are highly digestible and promote optimal health. Understanding the importance of digestible nutrients will aid in effective feed management and improved farm productivity.
short duration ryegrass: A class of grasses which are important to the farmer, including Westerwolds, Italian and Hybrid. These grasses are quick to establish and give early grazing. They are used where persistency is not important. Farmers benefit from growing short duration ryegrass for quick establishment and early grazing opportunities.
Crofting: Crofting /kr?ft??/ noun a system of farming in Scotland, where the arable land of small farms, which was previously held in common, was divided among the joint tenants into separate crofts, while the pasture remains in common. Implementing crofting practices supports rural development and sustainable farming.
Food Pyramid: A chart of a food chain showing the number of organisms at each level. Understanding food pyramids helps farmers manage ecosystems and support biodiversity on their farms.
A management practice that uses hormones to control and synchronize the estrous cycles of female cattle. Estrous synchronization helps facilitate timed artificial insemination. For instance, synchronizing the estrous cycles of a cowherd to enable mass breeding.
Common Agricultural Policy: Common Agricultural Policy noun a set of regulations and mechanisms agreed between members of the European Union to control the supply, marketing, and pricing of farm produce. Abbr CAP. COMMENT: The European Union has set up a common system of agricultural price supports and grants. The system attempts to encourage stable market conditions for agricultural produce, to ensure a fair return for farmers and reasonable market prices for the consumer, and finally to increase yields and productivity on farms in the Union. A system of common prices for the main farm products has been established with intervention buying as the main means of market support. The first major reforms in 30 years were carried out in 1992 and included arable set-aside, suckler cow quotas, ewe quotas, price reductions on oilseeds, peas, beans, cereals, and beet. The second major CAP reform was in 2003 with the introduction of the Single Farm Payment Scheme (SFPS), which brought together individual subsidy schemes into a single payment calculated on the land area used. Understanding the Common Agricultural Policy helps farmers navigate subsidies and market regulations.
native breeds: plural noun breeds which have been developed in a country, and not brought in from other countries. Native breeds are often well-adapted to local conditions, including climate and available feed resources. Farmers can benefit from raising native breeds as they typically exhibit greater resistance to local diseases, require fewer inputs, and can thrive on locally available feed. This can lead to reduced veterinary costs, improved animal welfare, and sustainable livestock production. Additionally, marketing products from native breeds can attract consumers interested in supporting heritage and local agriculture.
surface water: water that flows across the surface of the soil as a stream after rain and drains into rivers rather than seeping into the soil itself. Compare ground water. Properly managing surface water ensures water conservation and healthy soil conditions, supporting productive agriculture.
Polwarth: An Australian breed of sheep (from Lincoln and Merino) which gives fine wool. Helpful content: Polwarth sheep are known for their high-quality wool and adaptability to various climates. Farmers can benefit from raising this breed due to its dual-purpose nature, providing both meat and wool, and its suitability for different farming conditions.
The preparation and implementation of plans to address emergencies that affect livestock, including natural disasters, disease outbreaks, and equipment failures. For example, developing emergency response plans to protect livestock and ensure continuity of operations.
anaesthesia: The loss of the feeling of pain. A process that prevents a person or animal from feeling pain, usually by the use of drugs. The US spelling is anesthesia. Managing anesthesia helps farmers ensure the safety and welfare of livestock during medical procedures.
metabolic size: the size of an animal to which the metabolic rate is proportional. Understanding metabolic size can help farmers manage livestock nutrition more effectively, ensuring better growth and productivity.
primaries: The main feathers on a birds wing. Also called flight feathers. Helpful content: Understanding the function and health of primary feathers is important for poultry farmers. Proper feather management can enhance bird welfare and productivity, especially in egg-laying and meat production.
algae poisoning: Poisoning caused by toxic substances released when algae decompose. Understanding and preventing algae poisoning is crucial for farmers to protect livestock health.
rectified concentrated grape must: A form of grape sugar produced by distillation from surplus wine, used to add to new wine during chaptalisation. Utilizing surplus grapes in this way provides farmers with an additional revenue stream and improves wine quality.
Plantations where grapevines are cultivated for fruit production. Vineyards produce grapes for fresh consumption, wine making, and raisins. For example, managing a vineyard to produce high-quality grapes for wine production.
ornamental plants: Plants grown for decorative purposes in gardens and landscape design projects. Growing ornamental plants can diversify farm income and enhance aesthetic value.
olive: A Mediterranean tree with small yellowish-green edible fruit from which an edible oil can be produced. Olive cultivation can provide farmers with a high-value crop. Understanding best practices for growing, harvesting, and processing olives can enhance profitability and product quality.
pear: A pome fruit of the genus Pyrus used for dessert fruit, cooking, or for fermenting to make perry. In the UK, Williams Bon Chretien, Conference, and Doyenne du Comice are popular dessert varieties, while Williams is also commonly used for canning. Growing pears provides a valuable fruit crop that can be sold fresh, processed, or used in beverages.
soil moisture deficit: the difference between the amount of water that is in a soil and the amount needed for crops to grow successfully. Abbr SMD. Monitoring soil moisture deficits helps farmers optimize irrigation practices, ensuring crops receive adequate water without overuse.
sweet potato: a starchy root crop grown in tropical and subtropical regions. COMMENT: The sweet potato is valuable as famine food in parts of Africa and South America. The main producing countries are Indonesia, Vietnam, and Japan. In the Southern USA, the tubers are called yams. The plant has no connection with the ordinary potato. Properly managing sweet potato crops ensures healthy growth and high yields, supporting farm productivity and profitability.
seed certification: The testing, sealing and labelling of seed sold to farmers. This ensures that the seed is free from disease and from weeds. Farmers benefit from seed certification to ensure high-quality and disease-free seeds for planting.
export refunds: Refunds made by the EU to farmers to compensate for a lower export price for produce. Accessing export refunds helps farmers manage financial stability and market fluctuations.
minimal disease herd: a herd of livestock with a very low level of infectious diseases. Managing minimal disease herds can help farmers ensure better livestock health and productivity, reducing mortality rates and improving profitability.
veterinarian: Same as veterinary surgeon. Consulting a veterinarian can ensure proper animal health care and disease management on the farm.
Cubed Concentrates: Cubed concentrates plural noun concentrates for livestock in the form of small cubes. Utilizing cubed concentrates enhances feed quality and management for livestock.
agroecosystem: A community of organisms in a crop-producing area. Managing agroecosystems helps farmers create resilient and productive agricultural environments.
Beaumont period: A period of 48 hours with temperatures above 10°C and relative humidity above 75%, likely indicating potato blight. Farmers should monitor weather conditions and apply preventive treatments during Beaumont periods.
reversible plough: A plough with left- and right-handed mouldboards, which make it possible to plough up and down the same furrow. Using reversible ploughs improves soil management and reduces erosion.
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