January 14, 2025
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Sheep Pox

sheep pox: A highly contagious viral disease. Symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, difficulty in breathing and in the final stages scabs and ulcers appear. It is a notifiable disease. Farmers benefit from preventing sheep pox to protect livestock health and prevent economic losses.

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Thrips

thrips: An insect that is a pest of vegetables, operating on the underside of leaves and leaving spots of sap or other liquid which are red or blackish-brown. Typical examples are the onion thrips, grain thrips, and pea thrips. Effective thrips management can protect crops and ensure better yields.

Soil Leaching

The process by which dissolved substances, such as nutrients and chemicals, are washed out of the soil by water movement. Soil leaching can result in nutrient loss and groundwater contamination. For example, managing soil leaching through proper irrigation and fertilization practices to protect soil health and water quality.

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Environment Agency

Environment Agency: In England and Wales, the government agency responsible for the protection of the environment, including flood and sea defenses. Abbr EA. Understanding the role of the EA helps farmers comply with environmental regulations and improve sustainable farming practices.

Tagging

The practice of attaching identification tags to livestock, usually on the ear, for management and record-keeping purposes. Tagging helps track individual animals’ health and production records. For example, using ear tags to identify and monitor each cow in a herd.

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Meuse-Rhine-Ijssel

Meuse-Rhine-Ijssel: a dual-purpose breed of cattle, originating from the Netherlands. It is used by breeders in Britain to upgrade Dairy Shorthorn. The breed’s dairy performance is similar to that of the British Friesian, and it has a fine beef conformation. Cattle are red and white in colour. Abbr MRI. Raising Meuse-Rhine-Ijssel cattle can provide farmers with a versatile and productive breed, contributing to better income and farm sustainability.

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Stewardship

stewardship: the protection of the environment for the benefit of future generations of human beings by developing appropriate institutions and strategies. Implementing stewardship practices ensures sustainable management of land and resources, promoting long-term agricultural productivity.

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Erucic Acid

erucic acid: A fatty acid found in rape oil, which is linked to heart disease. Varieties of oilseed rape with low erucic acid content are considered the best. Understanding erucic acid helps farmers select and grow healthier crop varieties.

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Paratyphoid

paratyphoid: A disease of pigs caused by infection with salmonella bacteria. Young pigs run a high fever and may die within 24 hours. Preventing and managing infections like paratyphoid is essential for livestock health and farm profitability.

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Crossbreed

Crossbreed: Crossbreed /kr?sbri:d/ noun an animal bred from two different pure breeds verb to produce new breeds of animals by mating animals of different pure breeds. Engaging in crossbreeding practices supports genetic diversity and livestock improvement.

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JRA

JRA: Joint Regulatory Authority – the body which processes applications to grow and sell genetically modified crops. Helps farmers understand and comply with regulations regarding GM crops.

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Middle White

Middle White: a breed of white pig which comes from a cross between the Large White and the Small White. It is short and compact with long upright ears and a turned-up snout. It is now a rare breed. Raising Middle White pigs can provide farmers with a unique and high-value product, particularly for niche markets interested in rare breeds and specialty pork.

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Strawberry

strawberry: a soft fruit of the Fragaria species, used as a dessert fruit, but also preserved as jam. Growing strawberries provides farmers with high-value crops for fresh and processed markets, enhancing farm income and sustainability.

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Linseed

Linseed: Linseed is a variety of flax (Linum usitatissimum) with a short straw. It produces a good yield of seed used for producing oil. Growing linseed can provide farmers with a nutritious and marketable crop.