January 15, 2025
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Larva

Larva: Larva is the form of an insect or other animal in the stage of development after the egg has hatched but before the animal becomes adult. (NOTE: The plural is larvae.) Understanding larval stages helps farmers manage pest populations effectively.

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Earth Up

earth up: To move soil to make a ridge, in which a crop such as potatoes or celery can grow. Plants are earthed up to protect the tender stems from frost or to make them white. Potatoes are earthed up to prevent the tubers from turning green and tasting bitter. This practice helps farmers protect crops from environmental stressors and improve quality.

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Osmosis

osmosis: The movement of molecules of a solvent from a solution of one concentration to a solution of a higher concentration through a semi-permeable membrane until the two solutions balance in concentration. Understanding osmosis is important for efficient irrigation and nutrient uptake in plants. Farmers can benefit from optimizing irrigation practices and managing soil salinity to enhance crop growth and yields.

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Knee Cap

knee cap: Knee cap – a felt protector for the knees of horses, used especially when transporting them as a protection against damage caused when slipping. Also used on young horses when jumping. Helps farmers protect horses during transport and training.

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Perennial Irrigation

perennial irrigation: A system that allows the land to be irrigated at any time. This may be by primitive means such as shadufs, or by distributing water from barrages by canal and ditches. Implementing perennial irrigation systems ensures consistent water supply, improving crop yields and reducing water stress.

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Leachate

Leachate: Leachate is 1. a substance which is washed out of the soil, and 2. a liquid which forms at the bottom of a landfill site. Properly managing leachate can prevent environmental contamination and improve waste management.

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Milling Quality

milling quality: the calculation of how easy it is to separate the white endosperm from the brown seed coat or bran in the milling process. In general, hard wheats are of higher milling quality than soft wheats. Understanding milling quality can help farmers optimize their grain production and marketability, ensuring better profitability.

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Necrosis

necrosis: the death of tissue or cells in an organism. Preventing necrosis in crops and livestock is vital for maintaining health and productivity. Farmers can benefit from understanding the causes of necrosis, such as disease, injury, or environmental stress, and implementing preventative measures. Early detection and appropriate treatment can mitigate the impact of necrosis on yields and animal health. Maintaining proper care, hygiene, and management practices helps ensure the vitality of crops and livestock, leading to better farm outcomes.

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Milk Yield

milk yield: the quantity of milk produced each year by a cow. In the UK, the average annual milk yield per dairy type cow increased from 3,989 litres per cow in 1974/5 to 6,530 litres per cow in 2006. Understanding milk yield can help farmers manage dairy production more effectively, ensuring better productivity and profitability.

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Semen

semen: In mammals, a thick pale fluid containing spermatozoa, produced by the testes and ejaculated from the penis. Farmers benefit from understanding semen composition and quality for effective breeding and livestock management.

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Prolific

prolific: Referring to an animal or plant which produces a large number of offspring or fruit. Helpful content: Prolific breeds or varieties can significantly increase farm output. Farmers can benefit from selecting high-yielding and prolific plants or animals to enhance productivity and profitability.

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Omasum

omasum: The third stomach of a ruminant, which acts as a filter, and where much of the water in food is taken out before the food passes onto the abomasum. Proper understanding of ruminant digestion helps farmers optimize feeding strategies to improve livestock health and productivity.