Agricultural Terms and Helpful Expert Insight
The practice of managing the breeding and reproductive health of livestock to optimize productivity and genetic quality. Reproduction management includes artificial insemination, embryo transfer, and estrus synchronization. For instance, using estrus synchronization to time breeding and improve reproductive efficiency in a cattle herd.
temporary grassland: Arable land sown to ley for a limited period. Utilizing temporary grasslands can improve soil fertility and provide rotational grazing options for livestock.
The cultivation of fruit crops for commercial production. Fruit farming involves planting, managing, and harvesting fruit trees and bushes. For example, operating an apple orchard to produce apples for fresh consumption and cider.
inorganic acid: An acid which comes from a mineral. Helps farmers understand chemical properties and applications.
polyculture: The rearing or growing of more than one species of plant or animal on the same area of land at the same time. Helpful content: Polyculture systems can increase biodiversity, improve soil health, and reduce pest and disease pressure. Farmers can benefit from diversified production, leading to more resilient and sustainable farming practices.
Crude Fibre: Crude fibre noun a term used in analyzing foodstuffs, as a measure of digestibility. Fibre is necessary for good digestion, and lack of it can lead to diseases in the intestines. Understanding crude fibre content aids in managing livestock nutrition and health.
Feed Intake: The amount of food eaten by an animal. Monitoring feed intake helps detect health issues and optimize feeding practices.
The characteristics of milk, including composition, flavor, and safety. Milk quality is essential for consumer satisfaction and dairy product processing. For instance, monitoring milk quality through regular testing and adhering to hygiene standards.
Milk that has been processed to break down fat molecules, creating a uniform texture and preventing cream separation. Homogenization improves milk quality and consistency. For instance, homogenizing milk to produce smooth and consistent dairy products like yogurt and ice cream.
The information provided on dairy product packaging, including ingredients, nutritional content, and expiration dates. For example, designing dairy labels to comply with regulatory requirements and inform consumers about product details.
dog: A domesticated carnivorous mammal (Canis lupus familiaris) that typically has a long snout, an acute sense of smell, non-retractable claws, and a barking, howling, or whining voice. Dogs can serve various roles on a farm, including herding livestock, guarding property, and providing companionship. Proper training and care are essential for farm dogs to ensure they are healthy and effective in their roles.
dyke: A long wall of earth built to keep water out or a ditch for drainage. Dyke pond farming is a system of organic agriculture combining crop growing on the dykes that surround ponds in which fish are bred. It is common in China. Proper management of dykes is essential for controlling water levels and preventing flooding.
volatile organic compound: An organic compound which evaporates at a relatively low temperature. Managing VOC emissions can improve air quality and environmental sustainability on the farm.
The different breeds of poultry and their specific traits, including egg production, meat quality, and hardiness. For example, selecting poultry breeds based on desired characteristics for egg and meat production.
spirochaete: a bacterium with a spiral shape. But there is a difference between bacteria normally associated with foot-rot and a type seen in the new strain. A spirochaete, a bacterium that can penetrate the skin surface and is more usually linked with digital dermatitis in cattle, has been identified. [Farmers Weekly]. Understanding spirochaetes helps farmers manage livestock health and prevent disease outbreaks, supporting productivity and well-being.
digging stick: One of the earliest agricultural implements, still used in areas where shifting cultivation is practiced. The stick has a sharpened end, sometimes with a metal tip, and is used to dig holes to plant crops. Using a digging stick can be an effective method for small-scale farming and shifting cultivation. Farmers should understand the proper techniques for using a digging stick to achieve successful crop establishment. Implementing traditional and sustainable farming practices can enhance productivity and resilience.
drag harrow: A heavy type of harrow used in the preparation of seedbeds. Drag harrows help break up soil clumps and create a smooth surface for planting.
A facility where cattle are fed and fattened before slaughter. Feedyards provide high-energy diets to increase weight gain. For instance, raising cattle in a feedyard to prepare them for the meatpacking industry.
agricultural economist: A person who studies the economics of the agricultural industry. Insights from agricultural economists can guide farmers in making profitable and sustainable business decisions.
germination: The process by which a seed develops into a new plant. Ensuring proper germination conditions is crucial for successful crop establishment.
Friends of the Earth: A pressure group formed to influence local and central governments on environmental matters. Abbr FoE. This organization advocates for sustainable farming practices and environmental protection.
zigzag harrow: A zigzag harrow is a light harrow used for seedbed preparation. Using a zigzag harrow helps farmers improve soil conditions for planting.
intensive farming: A farming system that uses high levels of inputs, such as labor, fertilizers, and capital, to achieve high yields. Intensive farming can increase productivity but requires careful management to avoid environmental degradation.
boric acid: A compound used as a pesticide and antiseptic. Using boric acid responsibly supports pest control and farm hygiene.
A traditional method of farming that typically involves the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and genetically modified organisms. Conventional farming aims to maximize yield and efficiency. For example, growing corn using conventional farming practices to achieve high production levels.
A type of crustacean commonly farmed for its edible meat. Crab farming involves raising crabs in controlled environments such as ponds or tanks. For instance, crab farms produce crabs for the seafood market.
Clumps of soil particles that form due to natural processes and management practices. Soil aggregates improve soil structure, water infiltration, and nutrient retention. For example, increasing soil organic matter to enhance soil aggregation and support sustainable crop production.
palynology: The scientific study of pollen, especially of pollen found in peat and coal deposits. Also called pollen analysis. Studying pollen helps in understanding past climates and ecosystems, aiding in crop planning and biodiversity conservation.
mangosteen: a tree (Garcinia mangostana) which is native to Malaysia, but which is now cultivated in the West Indies. The fruit has a dark shiny rind and a soft sweet white flesh. Growing mangosteen can provide farmers with a unique and high-value crop, particularly in regions with suitable climates, contributing to income diversification and economic stability.
green top milk: Green top milk is untreated milk, identified by the green tops of the bottles. Understanding the regulations and market for green top milk helps farmers produce and market dairy products effectively.
amniotic fluid: The fluid that surrounds and protects a fetus. Understanding amniotic fluid helps farmers manage livestock reproduction and health.
sugar beet: a specialised type of beet grown for the high sugar content of its roots. It is cultivated in temperate regions, and in Britain is an especially important crop in East Anglia. The crowns and leaves of the crop are used for feedingstuff, as is also the residue after the sugar content has been extracted from the roots. Properly managing sugar beet crops ensures healthy growth and high yields, supporting farm productivity and profitability.
toxic substance: A substance that is poisonous or harmful to humans, animals, or the environment. Proper handling and disposal of toxic substances can prevent contamination and ensure farm safety.
pollard: A tree of which the branches have been cut back to a height of about 2m above the ground. Helpful content: Pollarding is a sustainable tree management practice that provides fodder for livestock and wood for fuel or construction. This method helps farmers maintain tree health and productivity while supporting diverse farm needs.
monocotyledon: a flowering plant which has only one seed leaf (cotyledon). Compare dicotyledon. Understanding the characteristics of monocotyledons can help farmers manage crop production and biodiversity more effectively.
by