Agricultural Terms and Helpful Expert Insight
Adjusting livestock diets based on the season and availability of forage and feed. Seasonal feeding helps ensure animals receive adequate nutrition year-round. For example, supplementing cattle diets with hay during the winter and relying on pasture during the summer.
The primary protein in milk, responsible for the formation of curds during cheese making. Casein is used in food products and supplements. For instance, using casein in cheese production to achieve the desired texture and flavor.
prostaglandin: A hormone that is used to make oestrus happen in many animals at the same time and to start the birth process or abortion. Helpful content: Prostaglandins are valuable for synchronizing breeding cycles and managing reproduction in livestock. Proper use can improve herd fertility and streamline breeding programs.
integrated pollution control: An approach which looks at all inputs and outputs from a process that is likely to cause pollution and regulates other factors as well as emissions. Abbr IPC, IPPC. Helps farmers manage environmental impact of farming practices.
The evaluation of the environmental effects of food production and distribution, including resource use, emissions, and waste, to inform decision-making and improve sustainability. For example, conducting food product environmental impact assessments to identify opportunities for improvement and reduce environmental footprint.
Capability Class: The classification of the usefulness of land for agricultural purposes. Using capability class assessments aids farmers in making informed decisions about land use, crop selection, and sustainable practices.
turnip: A brassica plant that has a swollen root, is an important forage crop, and is also used as a vegetable. Turnips can be harvested by machine and stored outdoors in clamps. In milder areas, they can be left growing in the fields and used when needed. Turnips are often grazed off in the field. Growing turnips can provide nutritious forage and food for livestock, improving farm productivity.
energy crop: A crop which is grown to be used to provide energy, e.g., a fast-growing tree. Biomass itself can come from a variety of sources, including energy crops such as miscanthus and short-rotation willow, forestry trimmings, off-cuts and roots, tree surgeons chips, reclaimed timber and municipal solid waste, some industrial waste, sewage sludge, liquid animal waste, and the enormous amount of food waste. Growing energy crops provides farmers with renewable energy sources and additional income.
bridle path: A path used for riding horses. Maintaining bridle paths supports safe and enjoyable horseback riding on the farm.
threshold price: In the EU, the lowest price at which farm produce imported into the EU can be sold. This is the price in the home market below which the government or its agencies must buy all the produce offered by producers for sale at that price. Knowing about threshold prices can help farmers navigate market regulations and optimize pricing strategies.
inseminate: To impregnate, by introducing male spermatozoa into the females body so that they link with the females ova. Helps farmers manage breeding programs.
The process of choosing the best species for aquaculture based on factors such as growth rate, market demand, and environmental conditions. For example, selecting tilapia and catfish for aquaculture due to their fast growth and market popularity.
phase separation: The splitting of a mixture into two layers, e.g., in milk, the fat separates from the watery part. Understanding phase separation aids in food processing and ensuring product quality.
erect habit: The habit of a plant which grows upright and does not lie on the ground. Understanding plant habits helps farmers manage crop growth and optimize planting strategies.
The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to monitor and manage crops. Agricultural drones can provide aerial imagery, assess plant health, and apply treatments. For instance, using drones to survey crop fields for signs of pest infestations and disease.
The practice of raising horses for various purposes, including riding, racing, and work. Horse farming involves breeding, training, and managing the health of horses. For example, operating a horse farm to breed and train horses for equestrian sports.
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.
by