November 23, 2024
D

Dried Fruit

dried fruit: Fruit that has been dehydrated to preserve it for later use. Dried fruit retains most of its nutritional value and can be a convenient snack or ingredient in various recipes.

D

Degressivity

degressivity: A proposed reduction in the amount of subsidies paid under the CAP. This proposal was rejected as a method of keeping the CAP budget under control. Understanding subsidy policies and their impacts on farm income is important for financial planning. Farmers should stay informed about changes in subsidy programs and explore alternative income sources to ensure economic stability. Adapting to policy changes and diversifying farm activities can mitigate the effects of reduced subsidies.

C

Cyclical

Cyclical: Cyclical /s?kl?k?l/ adjective occurring in cycles Off-shore and on-shore wind patterns are cyclical. Understanding cyclical patterns aids in managing agricultural production and environmental factors.

C

Controlled Tipping

Controlled Tipping: Controlled tipping noun the disposal of waste in special landfill sites. fly-tipping. Implementing controlled tipping practices ensures safe waste disposal and environmental protection.

D

Douglas Fir

Douglas fir: A North American softwood tree widely planted throughout the world, producing strong timber. Latin name: Pseudotsuga menziesii. Douglas firs are valued for their timber quality and are used in construction, furniture making, and paper production.

Pasteurization

The process of heating milk to a specific temperature for a set period to kill harmful bacteria and extend shelf life. Pasteurization is a critical step in dairy processing. For example, pasteurizing milk to ensure it is safe for consumption and meets regulatory standards.

Bee Frame

A wooden or plastic frame that holds the foundation and honeycomb in a beehive. Frames can be removed for inspection, honey extraction, and hive management. For example, a beekeeper might remove a frame to check for signs of disease.

R

Recommended Daily Amount

Recommended Daily Amount: The amount of a substance, e.g. a vitamin or mineral, that should be consumed each day for a person or animal to be healthy. Abbreviation: RDA. Understanding RDAs helps farmers ensure their livestock receive proper nutrition, enhancing growth and productivity.

N

Non-Food Crops

non-food crops: plural noun crops which are grown for purposes other than producing food, such as to provide renewable energy or chemicals. Non-food crops offer farmers opportunities to diversify their production and tap into emerging markets for bioenergy, industrial raw materials, and pharmaceuticals. By growing non-food crops, farmers can reduce dependency on traditional food markets, enhance income stability, and contribute to sustainable development. Understanding market demand and production requirements for non-food crops helps farmers make informed decisions and optimize their farming operations.

P

Profusion

profusion: A very large number or quantity of something. Helpful content: A profusion of crops or livestock on a farm indicates high productivity. Farmers can manage this abundance through efficient harvest, storage, and marketing strategies to maximize profitability.

I

Intensive Animal Breeding

intensive animal breeding: A system of raising animals in which livestock are kept indoors and fed on concentrated foodstuffs, with frequent use of drugs to control the diseases which tend to occur under these conditions. Helps farmers manage intensive livestock production.

2,4-D

2,4-D: A herbicide that is absorbed into a plant through its leaves and is especially effective against broadleaved weeds growing in cereals. Utilizing 2,4-D can provide effective weed control and enhance crop growth.

M

Milk Marque

Milk Marque: the name of a national cooperative which replaced the Milk Marketing Board, with the aim of liberalising the milk market. It was split into 3 regional companies in 1999. Understanding the role and history of Milk Marque can help farmers adapt to changes in the dairy industry and improve marketability.

L

Land Capability

Land Capability: Land capability is an estimate of the potential of land for agriculture, made on purely physical environmental factors such as climate and soil. In 2004 the total area of agricultural land in the UK was 18,436,000 hectares occupying more than 70% of the total land area. On average only 16.1% of this is Grade 1 or 2. Understanding land capability helps farmers plan appropriate crops and farming techniques for different types of land.

K

Kilocalorie

kilocalorie: Kilocalorie – a unit of measurement of heat equal to 1000 calories. In scientific use, the SI unit joule is now more usual. 1 calorie = 4.186 joules. Helps farmers understand energy content in animal feed.

N

Notifiable Disease

notifiable disease: a serious infectious disease of plants, animals, or people that has to be officially reported so that steps can be taken to stop it from spreading. Managing and preventing notifiable diseases is crucial for protecting farm productivity and public health. Farmers can benefit from understanding the regulations and protocols for reporting notifiable diseases, ensuring prompt action to contain outbreaks. Implementing biosecurity measures, regular monitoring, and vaccination programs helps reduce the risk of disease transmission and minimize economic losses. Effective disease management supports farm resilience and sustainability.

R

Rut

rut: A period of intense sexual activity that occurs in males of various mammals such as cattle, sheep, and particularly deer. Understanding rutting behavior helps farmers manage breeding programs and livestock health.

I

Intensification

intensification: The use of intensive farming methods. Intensification of farming has contributed to soil erosion. Compare extensification. Helps farmers understand the impact of intensive farming on the environment.

C

Chaff

chaff: The husks of grains and grasses separated during threshing. Chaff can be used as animal feed or mulch, contributing to sustainable farm practices.

W

Wild Boar

wild boar: Wild boar is a species of feral pig that is commonly found in parts of Europe. While wild boars can cause damage to crops, they are also bred on farms for their high-value meat. Farmers can benefit from raising wild boars as a source of income.

H

Health And Welfare Plan

health and welfare plan: A written report made by a farmer in consultation with a vet, describing how livestock will be cared for. Creating a health and welfare plan ensures the well-being of livestock and compliance with animal welfare standards.

R

Rooting Depth

rooting depth: The depth of soil from which plant roots take up water, or the depth of soil to which roots reach. Understanding rooting depth helps farmers manage irrigation and optimize crop growth.

C

Channel

Channel: A bed of a river or stream, or directing water in a particular direction. Managing water channels supports efficient irrigation practices and protects soil and crop health.

D

Definite Inflorescence

definite inflorescence: A type of inflorescence in which the main stem ends in a flower and stops growing when the flower is produced. Compare indefinite inflorescence. Understanding plant growth patterns, such as definite inflorescence, can help farmers manage crops more effectively. Knowledge of inflorescence types can aid in pruning, training, and optimizing flowering and fruiting in crops. Proper management of flowering can lead to higher yields and better quality produce.

T

Toggenburg

Toggenburg: A small Swiss breed of goat, pale brown in color with white markings on the face, legs, and rump. In Britain, it has been developed into a larger, darker animal, which is a good milker with a long lactation period. Raising Toggenburg goats can provide high-quality milk and diversify farm products.

M

Mangel Fly

mangel fly: a fly whose yellow-white legless larvae cause blistering of the leaves of mangels and sugar beet. This holds back plant growth and in severe cases can kill the plant. Also called mangold fly. Controlling mangel fly infestations is important to protect crops and ensure healthy growth, leading to better yields and farm sustainability.

C

Couch Grass

Couch Grass: Couch grass /ku:t? r?s/ noun a kind of grass (Agropyron repens) with long creeping rhizomes, which is difficult to eradicate from cultivated crops. Also called scutch, twitch. Managing couch grass involves using integrated weed management strategies.

Dairy Distributor

A business or individual responsible for transporting and distributing dairy products from processing facilities to retailers and consumers. For example, working as a dairy distributor to ensure timely delivery of milk and cheese to grocery stores.

Milk Storage

The methods and facilities used to store milk before and after processing, including bulk tanks, refrigeration units, and warehouses. Proper milk storage is essential for maintaining quality and safety. For example, storing milk in refrigerated tanks to keep it fresh and prevent spoilage.

A

Aerobic

aerobic: Needing oxygen for its existence or for a biochemical reaction to occur. Compare anaerobic. Farmers need to understand aerobic processes for effective composting and soil management.

C

Cud

Cud: Cud /k?d/ noun food that ruminating animals bring back from the first stomach into the mouth to be chewed again. Understanding cud chewing aids in managing livestock digestion and nutrition.