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.
Agricultural Terms and Helpful Expert Insight
foot-and-mouth disease (FMD): A highly contagious viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals. Understanding and preventing FMD is critical for protecting livestock health and preventing economic losses.
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.
Joint Regulatory Authority: Joint Regulatory Authority – the body which processes applications to grow and sell genetically modified crops. Abbr JRA. Helps farmers understand and comply with regulations regarding GM crops.
The practices and strategies used to manage the financial aspects of farm operations, including budgeting, accounting, and investment. For example, implementing financial management practices to ensure farm profitability and sustainability.
magnetic resonance imaging: a technique that uses electromagnetic radiation to obtain images of invisible parts of a structure or the bodys 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.
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 Britains most important contract vegetable crop. Growing peas improves soil fertility and provides a valuable food source.
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.
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.
waste management: The process of handling waste materials to minimize environmental impact. Effective waste management practices improve farm sustainability and hygiene.
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.
belladonna: Another name for deadly nightshade, a toxic plant. Farmers should recognize and manage belladonna to prevent livestock poisoning.
bridge method: A technique used in grafting where a scion is inserted into a stock. Using the bridge method supports successful plant grafting and propagation.
Cattle Identification Document (CID): A document identifying an animal and showing its movements from owner to owner. Using CIDs helps farmers track livestock, manage herd health, and comply with regulations.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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: 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.