Agricultural Terms and Helpful Expert Insight
The practice of managing the feeding of livestock to ensure proper nutrition and efficiency. Feed management includes monitoring feed quality, storage, and feeding schedules. For instance, implementing a feeding program to optimize growth rates in beef cattle.
bastard fallow: Land left fallow between harvesting and sowing, usually ploughed to control weeds. This practice helps rejuvenate soil and prepare it for the next crop cycle.
Crop Dusting: Crop dusting noun the practice of applying insecticide, herbicide or fungicide to crops in the form of a fine dust or spray. Also called crop spraying. Implementing crop dusting practices protects crops from pests and diseases.
Gerber test: A test to determine the butterfat content of milk. Conducting the Gerber test ensures that farmers can accurately measure milk quality, improving the value and marketability of dairy products.
Maine-Anjou: a breed of dual-purpose cattle developed in Brittany, now imported into the UK from France, and exported to many other countries. The animals are roan or red and white in colour. This breed can be beneficial for farmers looking for versatile cattle that provide both milk and meat, leading to diversified farm income and better economic stability.
yellow cereal fly: The yellow cereal fly is a pest affecting wheat crops. Effective pest management helps farmers protect crop yields and maintain healthy plants.
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 conservation: the use of a range of methods to prevent soil from being eroded or overcultivated, by irrigation, mulching, etc. Also called conservation of soil. Implementing soil conservation practices ensures long-term soil health and fertility, promoting sustainable agricultural productivity.
The process of breeding and producing offspring in cattle. Reproductive management is essential for herd productivity. For example, managing estrous cycles and using artificial insemination to optimize cattle reproduction.
Cottonseed: Cottonseed /k?t?nsi:d/ noun the seed of the cotton plant, one of the worlds most important sources of oil. Utilizing cottonseed provides valuable oil and feed resources.
Nematodirus disease: a disease of lambs caused by parasitic roundworms. The animals suffer diarrhea and loss of condition. Preventing and managing Nematodirus disease is crucial for the health and productivity of lambs. Farmers can benefit from understanding the lifecycle of the parasite and implementing appropriate control measures such as strategic deworming and pasture management. Regular monitoring and early intervention can reduce the impact of the disease, ensuring healthier lambs, improved growth rates, and higher farm profitability.
milling wheat: best-quality wheat used to make flour for making bread. Understanding the characteristics and marketability of milling wheat can help farmers optimize their grain production and income.
The support and promotion of events, programs, and organizations through financial or in-kind contributions to increase brand visibility and goodwill. For example, exploring food product sponsorship opportunities to reach new audiences and enhance brand image.
English Leicester: A breed of sheep derived from Robert Bakewells flock, used for breeding many other longwool breeds. It produces a heavy fleece and is now a rare breed. Raising English Leicester sheep can provide farmers with high-quality wool and contribute to the preservation of rare breeds.
Cultivable Acreage: Cultivable acreage /k?lt?v?b(?)l e?k?r??/ noun the number of acres on which crops can be grown. Understanding cultivable acreage aids in managing land use and crop production.
International Livestock Centre for Africa: An organization established in 1974 at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Abbr ILCA. Provides research and resources for livestock farmers in Africa.
The market price of milk, influenced by supply and demand, production costs, and regulatory factors. Milk price affects dairy farm profitability. For example, monitoring milk price trends to plan production and marketing strategies.
Belted Galloway: A breed of beef cattle with a distinctive white belt around the body. Raising Belted Galloways provides high-quality beef and unique breed characteristics for marketing.
saprophyte: An organism that lives and feeds on dead or decaying organic matter, e.g. a fungus. Farmers benefit from saprophytes for natural decomposition and nutrient cycling in soil management.
nectar: a sweet sugary liquid produced by flowers, which attracts birds or insects which pollinate the flowers. Nectar is crucial for attracting pollinators like bees, which play a vital role in the pollination of many crops. Farmers can benefit from encouraging the presence of nectar-producing plants on their farms to support pollinator populations. This enhances pollination efficiency, leading to higher fruit and seed set, improved crop yields, and better quality produce. Supporting pollinators also promotes biodiversity and ecological health, contributing to sustainable farming practices.
Leatherjacket: Leatherjacket is the larva of the cranefly (Tipuda paludosa) which hatches from eggs laid on the ground and feeds on the young crop in spring. When grass is ploughed for cereal crops, the larvae feed on the seedling wheat, damaging the plants at or just below ground level. Managing leatherjacket infestations through pest control measures can protect crops and improve yields.
brood patch: A bare area on the belly of birds, used to transfer heat to eggs. Understanding bird anatomy, such as brood patches, supports effective poultry management.
The practices and strategies used to provide balanced and nutritious diets to livestock, ensuring optimal growth, health, and productivity. For example, developing livestock feed management plans to meet the nutritional needs of cattle, sheep, and poultry.
The toxic substance produced by bees, used in defense and sometimes harvested for medicinal purposes. Bee venom contains various compounds that can cause pain and inflammation. For instance, bee venom therapy is used in some alternative medicine practices.
Montana State University: a university in Montana, USA, which is noted for its agricultural research and education. Understanding the resources and expertise available at Montana State University can help farmers access valuable information and support for improving their agricultural practices.
decompose: (Of organic material) to break down into simple chemical compounds by the action of sunlight, water, or bacteria and fungi. Decomposition is a natural process that recycles nutrients back into the soil. Farmers can utilize composting and other decomposition methods to enhance soil fertility and reduce waste. Proper management of organic material decomposition can lead to healthier soils and better crop yields.
A chemical used to control or eliminate rodent pests. Rodenticides help protect crops and stored products from damage caused by rodents. For instance, applying rodenticide in grain storage facilities to prevent rodent infestations and losses.
A numerical rating that describes the skeletal size of cattle, used to predict mature size and growth patterns. Frame scores range from 1 (small) to 9 (large). For instance, selecting cattle with appropriate frame scores for specific production goals.
by