Agricultural Terms and Helpful Expert Insight
allotment: A small area of land, owned by a municipality, which is let to a person called an allotment-holder for the cultivation and production of vegetables and fruit for the consumption of the holder and his or her family. Allotments provide farmers with additional land for cultivation and income.
Factory Farming: A highly intensive method of rearing animals characterized by keeping large numbers of animals indoors in confined spaces and feeding them processed foods, with the use of drugs to control diseases. This method allows for high production rates but requires careful management to maintain animal health and comply with welfare standards.
pedigree records: Records of pedigree stock kept by the breeder and by breed societies. Pedigree animals are registered at birth and given official numbers. Maintaining pedigree records ensures traceability and the quality of breeding programs.
Practices and techniques used to prevent soil erosion and maintain soil health. Soil erosion prevention includes cover cropping, conservation tillage, and buffer strips. For example, planting cover crops to protect soil from erosion and improve soil structure on a farm.
phosphorite: Any rock that contains phosphorus, used to make fertilizers. Utilizing phosphorite in fertilizer production enhances soil fertility and crop yields.
enterotoxin: A bacterial exotoxin which particularly affects the intestine. Managing enterotoxins helps farmers ensure food safety and protect consumer health.
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.
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.
white scour: A disease affecting young calves. Managing white scour can improve calf health and survival rates, enhancing farm productivity.
The weight loss of an animal or carcass due to dehydration and processing, affecting final yield and pricing. For example, accounting for shrink to accurately calculate meat yield and pricing.
Granadilla: Granadilla is the passion fruit, a climbing plant with purple juicy fruit. Cultivating passion fruit provides diverse income sources and meets market demand for exotic fruits.
The assessment and monitoring of food product vendors’ performance, including quality, delivery, and compliance with standards. For example, conducting food product vendor performance evaluations to ensure reliable and high-quality supply.
The ability to track the origin and movement of dairy products through the supply chain, ensuring transparency and accountability. For example, using dairy traceability systems to monitor the production and distribution of milk and cheese.
Clearcutting: Same as clearcutting, the cutting down of all trees in an area at the same time. Implementing clearcutting practices helps farmers manage forestry operations and support sustainable land use.
Forage Harvester: A machine that cuts, chops, and loads green crops such as lucerne into a trailer to make silage. Properly using forage harvesters supports efficient feed preparation and storage.
International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics: An organization established in 1972 at Hyderabad, India. Abbr ICRISAT. Farmers benefit from research on crops suited to semi-arid conditions.
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.
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.
intramuscular: Referring to something which is inside the muscle, as intramuscular fat in meat. Helps farmers understand animal anatomy and meat quality. Compare intermuscular.
dry matter intake: The amount of feed that an animal consumes or requires, discounting its water content. Abbr DMI. Understanding dry matter intake helps farmers ensure their animals receive the necessary nutrients for growth and production.
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.
yellow dwarf virus: Yellow dwarf virus affects barley, wheat, and grass. Farmers need to manage this virus to prevent crop damage and ensure high yields.
The practices and protocols used to manage and execute product recalls, ensuring swift action and consumer safety. For example, establishing food product recall management procedures to address safety issues and minimize impact on the business.
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 breedÂ’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.
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.
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.
The study and application of dietary principles to optimize the health and productivity of dairy cattle. For example, formulating balanced diets to meet the nutritional needs of dairy cows and improve milk production.
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.
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.
Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO): The managing head of a state veterinary service. Engaging with the CVO helps farmers stay informed about and comply with livestock health regulations and best practices.
The initiatives and activities that involve and support local communities in the food production and distribution process, including education, health, and economic development. For example, implementing food product community engagement programs to build positive relationships and contribute to community well-being.
greenfield site: A greenfield site is a place in the countryside not previously built on, chosen for new development. Knowing about greenfield sites helps farmers understand land use regulations and potential impacts on agricultural land.
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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