January 10, 2025
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Primed Seed

primed seed: Seed which has been moistened to start the germination process before sowing. Helpful content: Using primed seeds can improve germination rates and early plant growth, leading to better crop establishment and yields. This technique is particularly beneficial in challenging growing conditions.

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Anaemia

anaemia: A condition where the level of red blood cells is less than normal or where the hemoglobin is reduced, making it more difficult for the blood to carry oxygen. The US spelling is anemia. Managing anemia in livestock is crucial for maintaining health and productivity.

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Dill

dill: A common aromatic herb (Anethum graveolens) used in cooking and in medicine. Growing dill can provide a valuable income stream for farmers and enhance culinary and medicinal offerings. Farmers should focus on proper soil preparation, planting, and harvesting techniques to cultivate high-quality dill. Understanding the market demands and applications of dill will aid in effective production and marketing strategies.

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Oxygen

oxygen: A colorless, odorless gas, essential to human life, constituting 21% by volume of the Earth’s atmosphere. 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. Oxygen is vital for respiration in all living organisms.

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Acid Grassland

acid grassland: A type of vegetation that typically grows on soils that drain freely and are low in mineral nutrients, and may also occur on post-industrial sites. Farmers managing acid grassland need to understand its unique properties to maintain soil health and biodiversity.

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Inject

inject: To put a liquid into an animal’s body under pressure, by using a hollow needle inserted into the tissues. The cow was injected with antibiotics. Helps farmers administer medications and vaccinations to livestock.

Trade Agreements

International agreements that regulate the exchange of goods and services between countries. Trade agreements can impact agricultural markets, tariffs, and trade policies. For example, understanding trade agreements to navigate export opportunities and market access for farm products.

Soil Infiltration

The process by which water enters and moves through the soil. Soil infiltration is influenced by soil texture, structure, and organic matter content. For example, improving soil infiltration through conservation tillage and organic matter addition to support healthy plant growth and reduce runoff.

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Groundnut

groundnut: Groundnut, or peanut, is a grain legume used for vegetable oil production, cooking, salad dressings, margarine, and peanut butter. Growing groundnuts provides valuable income sources and meets market demands for oil and protein.

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Deer Farming

deer farming: The commercial farming of deer to be sold as venison. Deer farming can be a profitable venture for farmers. Proper management of deer, including nutrition, health care, and breeding, is essential for producing high-quality venison. Farmers should also focus on marketing strategies to promote venison as a premium product and explore value-added opportunities such as processed meat products.

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Plant Senescence

plant senescence: The final stage in the life cycle of a plant, leading to the death of part or all of the plant. Helpful content: Knowledge of plant senescence is important for farmers as it determines when they should harvest a crop in order to ensure it is of the highest possible quality. Timely harvesting can maximize yield and maintain produce quality.

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Mull

mull: neutral humus. Compare moder, mor. Understanding the role of mull in soil health can help farmers manage soil fertility more effectively, ensuring better crop yields.

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Moiled

Moiled: Irish Moiled. Understanding the characteristics and uses of Irish Moiled cattle can help farmers optimize their livestock production and marketability, ensuring better profitability.

Soil Erosion Measurement

The quantification of soil erosion rates and impacts using field observations, monitoring equipment, and modeling techniques. Soil erosion measurement provides data to inform management practices and conservation efforts. For example, measuring soil erosion in a field to evaluate the effectiveness of conservation practices and improve soil health.

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Sage

sage: An aromatic herb (Salvia officinalis), the leaves of which are dried and used for flavouring. Farmers benefit from growing sage by offering a popular herb for culinary and medicinal uses, enhancing farm profitability.

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Protein Equivalent

protein equivalent: A measure of the digestible nitrogen of an animal feedingstuff in terms of protein. Helpful content: Understanding protein equivalents aids in formulating balanced diets for livestock. Farmers can ensure that feed provides sufficient protein for growth, milk production, and overall health.

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Sterilisation

sterilisation: the action of making something free from microorganisms; the action of making an organism unable to produce offspring. Properly managing sterilisation ensures biosecurity and prevents disease outbreaks, supporting livestock health and productivity.

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Field

Field: 1. An area of land, usually surrounded by a fence or hedge, used for growing crops or for pasture. 2. An area of interest or activity. Proper field management ensures productive farming and sustainable land use.

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Glanders

glanders: A serious contagious disease of horses, no longer present in Britain but still found in Asia and Africa. Recognizing and preventing glanders protects livestock health and prevents the spread of disease.

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Dutch Barn

Dutch barn: A type of farmyard building used for storage of hay, loose or baled, corn crops, and agricultural implements. The older types of Dutch barn were built of iron with no enclosing side walls. Modern designs incorporate precast concrete, asbestos-cement sheeting with curved roofs. The sides may be partly or completely covered. Dutch barns provide essential storage for farm products and equipment, protecting them from the elements.

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Analyse

analyse: To examine something in detail. We analyzed the milk yields from different breeds of cow. Understanding analysis helps farmers make informed decisions about crop and livestock management.

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Bale

bale: A large bundle of hay, straw, or other material tightly bound with twine or wire. Baling helps in the efficient storage and transportation of fodder and bedding for livestock.

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Runoff Rate

runoff rate: The amount of excess fertilizer or pesticide from farmland that flows into rivers in a specific period. Monitoring runoff rates helps farmers minimize environmental impact and comply with regulations.

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Quadrat

quadrat: An area of land measuring one square meter, chosen as a sample for research on plant populations. Using quadrats helps farmers monitor and manage vegetation, leading to more informed decisions about crop rotation, pest control, and sustainable farming practices.