Leader
Leader: A leader is an animal which goes first, leading the flock or herd. Understanding animal behavior and leadership dynamics can improve herd management.
Agricultural Terms and Helpful Expert Insight
intervention price: Same as support price. The intervention price is the price at which the national intervention agencies are obliged to buy up agricultural commodities offered to them. Helps farmers understand price support mechanisms.
A method of marking cattle by injecting ink into the skin, usually inside the ear. Tattooing provides a permanent form of identification. For example, tattooing registration numbers on purebred cattle for breed certification and record-keeping.
nitrification: the process by which bacteria in the soil break down nitrogen compounds and form nitrates which plants can absorb. Nitrification is a key process in the nitrogen cycle, essential for converting nitrogen into forms that plants can use. Farmers can benefit from understanding and managing nitrification to ensure efficient nitrogen use and minimize losses. Practices like maintaining soil health, using nitrification inhibitors, and optimizing fertilizer application timing can enhance nitrogen availability for crops, leading to better yields and reduced environmental impact.
environment-friendly: Same as environmentally friendly. Adopting environmentally friendly practices helps farmers protect the natural world and improve sustainability.
prune: A black-skinned dried plum. To remove pieces of a plant in order to keep it in shape or to reduce its vigor. Helpful content: Pruning is essential for maintaining plant health and productivity. Proper techniques promote better air circulation, light penetration, and overall growth, leading to higher yields and quality fruit.
Coxs Orange Pippin: Coxs orange pippin /k?ksiz ?rind p?pin/ noun a popular variety of dessert apple. The most important commercially grown apple in the UK. Cultivating Coxs Orange Pippin apples provides high-quality fruit for markets.
nitrogen-fixing plant: a leguminous plant which forms an association with bacteria that convert nitrogen from the air into nitrogen compounds in the soil, e.g., a pea plant. Nitrogen-fixing plants play a crucial role in maintaining soil fertility and reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers. Farmers can benefit from including these plants in their crop rotations or as cover crops to improve soil nitrogen levels. This practice enhances soil health, promotes sustainable farming, and reduces input costs. Utilizing nitrogen-fixing plants helps ensure a more resilient and productive farming system.
Swedish Red and White: a dual-purpose breed of cattle found in Central and Southern Sweden. The animals are cherry red in colour with white markings. Properly managing Swedish Red and White cattle ensures healthy growth and productivity, supporting farm profitability and sustainability.
egg: 1. A reproductive cell produced in a female mammal by the ovary which, if fertilized by male sperm, becomes an embryo. 2. A fertilized ovum of an animal such as a bird, fish, reptile, amphibian, or insect, protected by a membrane layer in which the embryo continues developing outside the mothers body until it hatches. 3. A round object laid by female birds, with a hard calcareous shell forming a case containing albumen and yolk. The young bird grows inside the egg until it hatches. Understanding egg development and health is crucial for poultry farmers to ensure high-quality production.
tree stump: A short section of the trunk of a tree left in the ground with the roots after a tree has been cut down. Managing tree stumps can prevent regrowth and support land clearance.
The uterus of cattle, often used in traditional dishes and for making pet food. For example, producing beef uterus for culinary and industrial purposes.
The period of sexual receptivity in female animals when they are ready to mate. Estrus is also known as “heat.” For example, detecting estrus in cows is crucial for timing artificial insemination.
plant growth regulator: A chemical treatment that slows the growth of plants, used in low-maintenance areas such as roadside verges. Abbr PGR. Helpful content: Plant growth regulators can help farmers manage crop growth, reduce the need for frequent mowing or pruning, and maintain the desired plant size. This can lead to labor and cost savings in landscape management.
Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy: a strategy produced by Defra to support farming and food industries in working towards practices that will lead to a better environment and healthy and prosperous communities. Engaging with sustainability strategies ensures farmers adopt practices that support long-term productivity and environmental health.
Cabbage White Butterfly: A common white butterfly (Pieris brassicae) that lays eggs on the leaves of cabbage plants. The caterpillars cause much damage to the plants. Controlling this pest includes using row covers, natural predators, and handpicking caterpillars to minimize crop damage.
passive immunity: Immunity received in the womb from the mother. Antibodies produced by her immune system to resist diseases that she has experienced or been vaccinated against are transferred to the embryo. Ensuring proper colostrum management and vaccination can enhance passive immunity in newborn livestock.
The selective mating of animals to enhance desired traits in future generations. This can improve productivity, health, and quality of livestock. For instance, breeding cows for higher milk production.
tissue culture: Plant or animal tissue grown in a culture medium. A method of plant propagation which reproduces clones of the original plant on media containing plant hormones. Utilizing tissue culture techniques can enhance plant breeding and propagation, providing disease-free and high-yielding crops.
moisture content: the percentage of water contained in something such as the soil, hay or straw. Understanding moisture content can help farmers manage irrigation, crop storage, and livestock feed more effectively, ensuring better productivity and sustainability.
graded seed: Graded seed, such as sugar beet, is separated by rubbing to ensure uniform planting. Using graded seed improves crop uniformity and yield, enhancing farm productivity.
Practices and technologies used to reduce water consumption and improve efficiency in dairy production and processing. For example, implementing water conservation measures to ensure sustainable dairy operations.
The adherence to regulations, standards, and best practices in dairy production and processing. For example, implementing compliance programs to meet regulatory requirements and ensure dairy product safety.
The tail of cattle, known for its rich flavor and gelatinous texture when cooked. Oxtail is used in soups and stews. For example, producing oxtail for traditional dishes like oxtail soup and braised oxtail.
Craft Food: Craft food noun food produced according to traditional techniques or recipes. Producing craft food supports sustainable and traditional culinary practices.
evaporation: The process of changing from a liquid into a vapor. Understanding evaporation helps farmers manage irrigation and water resources.