January 13, 2025
D

Discharge

discharge: The amount of water flowing from a river or from an irrigation system. Managing water discharge is important for maintaining soil health and preventing erosion. Farmers should implement proper irrigation management practices to optimize water use and reduce runoff. Understanding the factors influencing water discharge will aid in effective water management and crop production.

A

Accumulated Temperature

accumulated temperature: The number of hours during which the temperature is above a particular point, taken as the minimum temperature necessary for growing a specific crop. Farmers use accumulated temperature data to optimize planting and harvesting schedules for better crop yields.

D

Do

do: To act or perform an action. Effective farm management involves planning, coordinating, and performing various tasks. Farmers should develop clear plans and schedules to ensure that all necessary actions are completed efficiently. Understanding the importance of proactive and organized action will aid in achieving farm goals and productivity.

W

Wensleydale

Wensleydale: A longwool breed of sheep. The animals are large and polled, and the skin of the face, legs, and ears is blue. Wensleydales are now rare, but are still found in Yorkshire. Raising rare breeds like Wensleydale sheep can maintain genetic diversity and provide high-quality wool and meat.

M

Malathion

malathion: an organophosphorus insecticide used to kill aphids, mainly on flowers grown in glasshouses. Proper use of malathion can help control pest populations and protect crops from damage, ensuring better crop health and yields.

S

Skin Spot

skin spot: a potato disease causing pimple-like dark brown spots which can harm the buds in the eyes of seed tubers. Managing skin spot disease ensures healthy potato crops, preventing yield losses and maintaining quality.

C

Cactus

Cactus: A succulent plant with a fleshy stem often protected by spines, found in the deserts of North and Central America. (Plural: cacti or cactuses.) Cultivating cacti can provide farmers with drought-resistant crops that require minimal water, useful in arid farming regions.

S

Soil Pan

soil pan: a hard layer in the soil. ‘Greater resistance in digging soils of similar texture and moisture content indicates poor structure. Concentration of roots indicates hard to penetrate layers or blocks of soil. A soil pan may be present if roots grow horizontally or do not penetrate to any depth.’ [Farmers Guardian] Managing soil pans ensures proper root growth and water infiltration, supporting healthy crop growth and productive agriculture.

E

Exotic

exotic: Referring to an organism or species that is not native and has been introduced from another place or region. An organism or species that is not native to its current environment. Also called alien. Managing exotic species helps farmers protect native biodiversity and prevent invasive species.

P

p.t.o.

p.t.o.: Abbreviation for power take-off. Helpful content: The power take-off is a critical component for operating various farm machinery. Understanding its use and maintenance ensures efficient operation of equipment like mowers, balers, and harvesters, improving farm productivity.

A

Actinomycete

actinomycete: A bacterium shaped like a rod or filament. Order: Actinomycetales. Some actinomycetes cause diseases while others are sources of antibiotics. Farmers benefit from understanding actinomycetes to manage soil health and crop diseases.

C

Crop Sprayer

Crop Sprayer: Crop sprayer noun a machine or aircraft which sprays insecticide, herbicide, or fungicide onto crops, or a company that performs this service. Utilizing crop sprayers protects crops from pests and diseases.

M

Management

management: the organised use of resources or materials, or the people who control an organisation or business. Effective management practices can help farmers optimize their resources and improve farm productivity.

P

Plague

plague: An infectious disease that occurs in epidemics, killing many organisms, or a widespread infestation by a pest. Helpful content: Awareness and preparedness for plagues can help farmers take preventive measures to protect their crops and livestock. Early detection and response plans can mitigate the impact of outbreaks.

T

Tocopherol

tocopherol: One of a group of fat-soluble chemicals that make up vitamin E. It is particularly abundant in vegetable oils and leafy green vegetables. Ensuring adequate tocopherol in livestock diets can improve reproductive health and prevent deficiencies.

O

Overwinter

overwinter: Spending winter in a particular place, such as livestock overwintering on southern plains. Managing overwintering practices is crucial for maintaining livestock health and productivity. Farmers can benefit from providing adequate shelter, nutrition, and care during the winter months to ensure animal welfare and performance.

S

Sugar Beet Topper

sugar beet topper: an attachment to a sugar beet harvester which collects the sugar beet tops. Some have choppers and blower units, which chop up the tops and then blow them into a trailer. Using sugar beet toppers ensures efficient harvesting and use of crop residues, supporting farm productivity.

C

Consumer

Consumer: Consumer noun a person or company which buys and uses goods and services Gas consumers are protesting at the increase in prices. The factory is a heavy consumer of water. Understanding consumer behavior helps farmers meet market demands and optimize production.

L

Litter

Litter: Litter is 1. a group of young mammals born to one mother at the same time. The sow had a litter of ten piglets. 2. bedding for livestock. Straw is the best type of litter, although bracken, peat moss, sawdust, and wood shavings can be used. To litter means to leave rubbish in a place or to give birth. Bears litter in early spring. Properly managing livestock litter can enhance animal welfare and hygiene.

C

Companion Plant

Companion Plant: Companion plant noun a plant which improves the growth of nearby plants or reduces pest infestation. Companion plants are often used by horticulturists and gardeners because they encourage growth or reduce pest infestation in an adjacent plant. COMMENT: Some plants grow better when planted near others. Beans and peas help root plants such as carrots and beetroot. Most herbs (except fennel) are helpful to other plants. Marigolds help reduce aphids if they are planted near plants such as broad beans or roses which are subject to aphid infestation. The strong smell of onions is disliked by the carrot fly, so planting onions near carrots makes sense. On the other hand, most other plants (and especially peas and beans) dislike onions and will not grow well near them. Utilizing companion planting enhances crop health and reduces the need for chemical pest control.