March 6, 2025
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.

S

Saliva

saliva: A clear fluid secreted by the salivary glands into the mouth, and containing water, mucus and enzymes to lubricate food and break down starch into sugars. Farmers benefit from understanding saliva’s role in animal digestion for better livestock health management.

H

Half-Standard

half-standard: A type of fruit tree with a trunk shorter than that of a full standard, about 1.2m from the ground to the first branches. Planting half-standard fruit trees can make harvesting easier and more efficient for farmers.

R

Replant

replant: To grow plants in an area again; to put a plant in the ground again. Replanting helps farmers maintain continuous crop production and manage soil health.

M

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

magnetic resonance imaging: a technique that uses electromagnetic radiation to obtain images of invisible parts of a structure or the body’s soft tissues. Abbr MRI. MRI can be useful in veterinary diagnostics, allowing for detailed examination of livestock health issues, leading to accurate diagnoses and effective treatments.

P

Pea

pea: An important grain legume. Peas are grown for pulses and for their immature seeds which are eaten fresh as a green vegetable and are also often frozen. The young pods are also occasionally eaten as mangetouts. Peas are also grown for forage and may be used for hay and silage. They are often grown following a cereal crop in rotation, and enrich the soil with nitrogen. Most peas are harvested, transported, and processed on the same day, and the majority are taken for freezing and canning. Vining peas are Britain’s most important contract vegetable crop. Growing peas improves soil fertility and provides a valuable food source.

E

Espalier

espalier: A method of training a fruit tree, in which its branches are made to grow flat against a wall or other support. Compare cordon. A tree, especially apple or pear, trained in this way. From a vertical trunk pairs of branches are usually trained horizontally about 50cm apart. Training fruit trees as espalier can help farmers save space and increase fruit production.

S

Stocky

stocky: referring to an animal with short strong legs. Properly managing stocky animals ensures healthy growth and productivity, supporting farm profitability.

C

Csr

CSR: CSR abbreviation corporate social responsibility. Engaging in corporate social responsibility supports sustainable and ethical business practices.

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.