Seed Coat
by seed coat: Same as testa. Farmers benefit from understanding seed coats for better seed handling and storage.
Market Garden
market garden: a place for the commercial cultivation of plants, usually vegetables, soft fruit, salad crops and flowers, found near a large urban centre that provides a steady outlet for the sale of its produce. Operating a market garden can provide farmers with a reliable source of income, particularly in areas with high demand for fresh produce.
Adventitious
adventitious: Referring to a root which develops from a node on a plant stem and not from another root. Understanding adventitious roots helps farmers propagate plants more effectively.
Environmental Protection
environmental protection: The activity of protecting the environment by regulating the discharge of waste, the emission of pollutants, and other human activities. Also called environment protection. Understanding environmental protection helps farmers adopt practices that minimize harm to the natural world.
Microbial Insecticide
microbial insecticide: an insecticide based on fungal, bacterial or other microorganisms that are pathogens of insects, or their toxins, e.g. the fungus Verticillium lecanii is used to control whitefly in glasshouses. Understanding the uses and effects of microbial insecticides can help farmers manage pest infestations more effectively, ensuring better crop health and yields.
Environmental Directive
environmental directive: An EU policy statement on the appropriate ways of dealing with a specific environmental issue. Understanding environmental directives helps farmers comply with regulations and adopt sustainable practices.
Calf Disbudding
The removal of horn buds in young calves to prevent horn growth. Disbudding is typically performed at an early age for safety and management purposes. For example, disbudding calves to prevent injuries and facilitate handling.
Nutrient Management
nutrient management: the practice of applying fertilizers and other soil amendments in the correct amounts and at the correct time to optimize plant growth while minimizing environmental impact. Effective nutrient management is crucial for maintaining soil fertility, optimizing crop yields, and reducing environmental impact. Farmers can benefit from implementing nutrient management plans that include regular soil testing, balanced fertilization, and precision application techniques. Understanding crop nutrient requirements and timing ensures efficient nutrient use, enhances productivity, and promotes sustainable farming practices. Adopting nutrient management strategies supports long-term soil health and farm profitability.
White Clover
white clover: A type of perennial clover (Trifolium repens). There are several varieties including the large-leaved variety suitable for silage or hay and the small-leaved variety which is quick to establish and keeps out weeds and other grasses. Growing white clover can improve soil fertility and provide nutritious forage for livestock.
Red Corpuscle
red corpuscle: A red blood cell which contains haemoglobin and carries oxygen to the tissues. Understanding blood components is important for diagnosing and treating livestock health issues.
Swine Production Practices
The methods and techniques used to raise pigs for meat production, including breeding, feeding, and health care. For example, implementing swine production practices to ensure high productivity and healthy animals.
Aldosterone
aldosterone: A hormone secreted by the adrenal gland which regulates the balance of sodium and potassium in the body and the amount of body fluid. Understanding hormone functions helps farmers manage livestock health.
Soil Biodiversity
The variety of living organisms found within the soil, including bacteria, fungi, insects, and earthworms. Soil biodiversity is essential for maintaining healthy soil ecosystems and supporting sustainable agriculture. For example, promoting soil biodiversity through crop rotation and reduced chemical use to enhance soil health and resilience.
Food Poisoning
Food Poisoning: An illness caused by eating food that is contaminated with bacteria. Properly managing food safety and hygiene helps prevent food poisoning and protect public health.
Footbath
Footbath: 1. A trough containing disinfectant through which sheep or cattle are driven to prevent or cure various diseases such as foot rot. 2. A shallow container containing disinfectant in which a person walks to disinfect shoes or boots. Properly using footbaths helps prevent the spread of diseases and maintain farm hygiene.
Little Red Tractor
Little Red Tractor: Little Red Tractor is the symbol used on food packaging in the UK to show that it comes from a British Farm Standard-approved supplier. Adhering to quality standards like Little Red Tractor can enhance product marketability and consumer trust.
Sweet Corn
sweet corn: a type of maize in which the grains contain a large amount of sugar rather than starch. It is grown for human consumption. Also called corn on the cob. Properly managing sweet corn crops ensures healthy growth and high yields, supporting farm productivity and profitability.
Pimple Pimple Pimple
pimple pimple pimple: A small raised bump on the skin. Managing livestock health includes monitoring and managing skin health to prevent diseases.
Drought Order
drought order: Legislation that permits water companies to place restrictions on the use of water for a specific period when there is a drought. Understanding and complying with drought orders can help farmers manage water usage during dry periods.
Natural Environment
natural environment: 1. same as natural habitat 2. the part of the Earth that has not been built or formed by humans. Compare built environment. The natural environment provides essential ecosystem services such as pollination, water purification, and nutrient cycling that support agricultural productivity. Farmers can benefit from preserving and enhancing natural habitats on their land, promoting biodiversity and ecological balance. By integrating natural areas into their farming systems, farmers can improve resilience to environmental stressors, enhance soil health, and ensure long-term sustainability.
Conservancy
Conservancy: Conservancy /k?n s?:v(?)nsi/ noun an official body which protects a part of the environment. Engaging with conservancies supports environmental protection and sustainable land use practices.
Ocds
OCDS: Older Cattle Disposal Scheme. The OCDS supports farmers by providing payment and support for the disposal of cattle that were born or reared in the United Kingdom before August 1996. This helps farmers manage older cattle and comply with regulations, ensuring a healthy and productive herd.
Metric Ton
metric ton: same as tonne. Understanding the metric system can help farmers communicate and manage resources more effectively, ensuring better accuracy and efficiency.
Plant Nutrient
plant nutrient: A mineral whose presence is essential for the healthy growth of plants. Helpful content: Adequate plant nutrition is critical for optimal crop growth and yield. Farmers need to ensure that essential nutrients are available in the soil to prevent deficiencies and promote healthy plant development.
Chorleywood Bread Process
Chorleywood Bread Process: A method of making bread developed by the British Baking Industries Research Association, eliminating the long fermentation period by vigorous mechanical mixing of dough. Using the Chorleywood bread process helps farmers and bakers produce high-quality bread efficiently.
Prunus
Prunus: The Latin name for the family of trees including the plum, peach, almond, cherry, damson, apricot. Helpful content: Understanding the Prunus family helps farmers manage orchards effectively. Knowledge of each species’ requirements and characteristics can improve cultivation practices and yields.
Weed Beet
weed beet: A type of beet which is regarded as a weed because it produces seeds as opposed to roots which can be harvested. Weed beet affects sugar beet crops and can harbor rhizomania. It is controlled by limiting bolters and so preventing cross-pollination. The most effective control is by hand-pulling bolters. Managing weed beet can prevent crop losses and improve yields.
Commensalism
Commensalism: Commensalism /k?mens?liz(?)m/ noun the state of organisms existing together as commensals. Managing commensalism involves understanding ecological interactions and maintaining ecosystem health.
Invertebrate
invertebrate: An animal that has no backbone. Helps farmers understand the role of invertebrates in agriculture. Compare vertebrate.
Waterlogged
waterlogged: Referring to soil that is saturated with water and so cannot keep oxygen between its particles. Managing waterlogged soil can prevent crop losses and improve plant health.
Vining Peas
vining peas: Peas used for canning or freezing. Growing vining peas can provide a steady income stream from the processed food market.
Founder Crop
Founder Crop: A crop that was one of the earliest to be used and developed by humans, e.g., wheat, barley, lentils, and chickpeas. Growing founder crops supports food security and agricultural diversity.