Agricultural Terms and Helpful Expert Insight
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.
The overall well-being of dairy cows, encompassing disease prevention, nutrition, and management practices. Dairy cow health is crucial for productivity and milk quality. For example, implementing comprehensive health programs to ensure the well-being of the herd.
Townshend, Viscount (16741738): An 18th-century Norfolk landowner. Nicknamed Turnip Townshend, he did much to make the Norfolk four-course rotation system popular. Understanding historical agricultural practices like Townshend’s rotation system can provide insights into sustainable farming techniques.
septic tank: An underground tank for household sewage that is not connected to the main drainage system and in which human waste is decomposed by the action of anaerobic bacteria. Farmers benefit from using septic tanks for waste management and sanitation.
Hisex Brown/Hisex White: A hybrid breed of laying fowl. Raising Hisex breeds provides farmers with efficient egg production and resilient poultry.
J abbreviation: Joule – a unit of measurement of energy. Symbol J. Helps farmers understand energy use in agricultural processes.
A contest where exhibitors are judged on their ability to present and handle livestock in the show ring. Showmanship competitions emphasize skill and presentation. For instance, training for showmanship competitions to improve handling techniques and achieve success in livestock shows.
Central Veterinary Laboratory (CVL): A veterinary service set up to assist the Governments department for agriculture and food by researching infectious diseases. Engaging with CVL helps farmers adopt best practices for livestock health and disease prevention.
swath turner: a haymaking machine used to move individual swaths sideways and turn them over at the same time, so making the drying process faster. It is also used in wet conditions to scatter a swath to dry it more quickly. Using swath turners ensures efficient haymaking and fodder quality, supporting livestock nutrition and farm productivity.
A local event where livestock, agricultural products, and crafts are exhibited and judged. County fairs promote community involvement and agricultural education. For instance, exhibiting cattle at a county fair to showcase breeding and management skills.
The practices and strategies used to prevent colony collapse disorder, a phenomenon characterized by the sudden loss of worker bees, leading to hive failure. For example, adopting CCD prevention measures to maintain healthy and stable honeybee colonies.
Newcastle disease: an acute febrile contagious disease of fowls. Affected birds suffer loss of appetite, diarrhea, and respiratory problems, and mortality rates are high. It is a notifiable disease. Managing and preventing Newcastle disease is crucial for maintaining poultry health and productivity. Farmers can benefit from implementing biosecurity measures, regular vaccination programs, and proper hygiene practices to reduce the risk of outbreaks. Early detection and rapid response to Newcastle disease can minimize economic losses, ensure healthy flocks, and protect farm profitability.
Slaughter Premium Scheme: until 2005, a subsidy that provided direct support to all producers of domestic cattle. (NOTE: Now superseded by the Single Payment Scheme.) Understanding historical subsidy schemes helps farmers adapt to current financial support structures and manage their operations effectively.
The accumulation of soil particles transported by wind, water, or gravity. Soil deposition can build up fertile soil layers or create sedimentation problems. For example, managing erosion and deposition to maintain soil health and protect water quality in agricultural landscapes.
streptococcus: a bacterium belonging to a genus that grows in long chains and causes diseases such as strangles and mastitis. (NOTE: The plural is streptococci.) Understanding streptococcus bacteria helps farmers manage livestock health and prevent disease outbreaks, supporting productivity and well-being.
dry period: In cattle, a period of six to eight weeks between lactations when a cow is rested from giving milk. Properly managing the dry period is crucial for the health and productivity of dairy cows, allowing them to recover and prepare for the next lactation.
pedigree market: The market for animals sold for breeding rather than for slaughter. Compare commercial market. Participating in the pedigree market can provide additional income and improve the quality of breeding stock.
Zadoks scale: The Zadoks scale shows the growth stages of a plant from germination to ripening. Farmers use the Zadoks scale to monitor crop development and optimize management practices.
Cattle Rustling: The stealing of cattle. Preventing cattle rustling involves using technology, security practices, and community cooperation to protect livestock.
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