Inbreeding
by inbreeding: The process of mating or crossing between closely related individuals, leading to a reduction in variation. Compare outbreeding. Helps farmers manage genetic diversity in livestock.
Mineral Nutrients
mineral nutrients: nutrients except carbon, hydrogen and oxygen which are inorganic and are absorbed by plants from the soil. Understanding the role of mineral nutrients can help farmers manage soil and crop health more effectively, ensuring better productivity and sustainability.
First Calf Heifer
First Calf Heifer: A heifer that has borne its first calf. Managing first calf heifers ensures their health and productivity as they enter the milking herd.
Crop Residue Management
The practices used to manage the remains of harvested crops, including plowing, mulching, and composting, to improve soil health and reduce pests. For example, using crop residue management techniques to recycle nutrients and enhance soil fertility.
Beef Barbecue
A method of cooking beef using slow, indirect heat and smoke, often with a flavorful sauce. For example, producing beef cuts for barbecue and smoked meat products.
Common Prices
Common Prices: Common prices plural noun the prices obtained by all EU farmers for a wide range of their products, including beef, cereals, milk products, and sugar. EU regulations involve control on imports and intervention buying. These prices are reviewed each year. Understanding common prices helps farmers plan production and marketing strategies.
Forward Creep Grazing
Forward Creep Grazing: A grazing method where grassland allocated to ewes and lambs during the fattening period is divided into paddocks separated by portable fencing. Moving the fencing allows the animals to access new areas as one is finished. Properly managing forward creep grazing ensures efficient pasture use and livestock nutrition.
Block Grazing
block grazing: A method of grazing where livestock are confined to a small area for a short period. Block grazing improves pasture management and promotes even grazing distribution.
Systolic Blood Pressure
Systolic blood pressure: is the pressure of the blood in the arteries when the heart beats. Understanding and managing systolic blood pressure in livestock ensures health and productivity, supporting farm profitability and well-being.
Sheep Annual Premium Scheme
Sheep Annual Premium Scheme: Until 2005, a subsidy for breeding ewes. Now superseded by the Single Payment Scheme. Farmers benefit from engaging in subsidy programs for financial support in livestock production.
Multi-Storey System
multi-storey system: a pig-rearing system in which pigs are kept in a building which has several floors or tiers. Understanding multi-storey systems can help farmers manage pig production more effectively, ensuring better productivity and sustainability.
Decortication
decortication: The process of removing husks from seeds. Decortication is important for processing seeds like cotton and sunflower. Farmers and processors should use appropriate machinery and techniques to ensure efficient decortication, improving the quality and marketability of the seeds. Proper maintenance of decortication equipment will also enhance its longevity and performance.
Cultivate
Cultivate: Cultivate verb 1. to grow crops Potatoes are cultivated as the main crop. 2. to dig and manure the soil ready for growing crops The fields are cultivated in the autumn, ready for sowing wheat. Engaging in cultivation practices supports sustainable agriculture and crop production.
Cover Crop
Cover Crop: Cover crop noun 1. a crop sown to cover the soil and prevent it from drying out and being eroded (NOTE: When the cover crop has served its purpose, it is usually ploughed in, so leguminous plants which are able to enrich the soil are often used as cover crops.) 2. a crop grown to give protection to another crop that is sown with it In the tropics, bananas can be used as a cover crop for cocoa. 3. a crop grown to give cover to game birds. As leaving maize stubble fields bare could risk failure to meet cross-compliance, more growers are recognizing cover crops could prove a worthwhile option. [Farmers Weekly]. Utilizing cover crops enhances soil health and prevents erosion.
Retained Placenta
retained placenta: A disease of cattle caused by interference at calving, premature calving, or milk fever. Managing retained placenta ensures the health and reproductive efficiency of dairy herds.
Agri-Biotechnology
agri-biotechnology: Biotechnology as applied to agriculture. Understanding agri-biotechnology helps farmers adopt innovations that improve crop yields and livestock productivity.
U-Pick Farms And Orchards
Farms that allow visitors to pick their own fruits, vegetables, and other produce, providing a hands-on agricultural experience. For example, operating a U-pick farm to offer fresh produce and attract visitors.
Foot Rot
Foot Rot: A disease of the horny parts and soft tissue of sheeps feet, occurring particularly in wet marshy and badly-drained pastures, caused primarily by the organism Fusiformis necrophorus and sometimes Fusiformis nodosus. Managing foot rot through proper practices ensures sheep health and productivity.
Plastic
plastic: A man-made material used as a cover to protect young crops. Thin films of polythene may be used to cover and warm soil, while black plastic sheeting is used as a form of mulch, and also to cover clamps and bales. Helpful content: Plastic covers and mulches can protect crops from adverse weather, conserve soil moisture, and suppress weeds. These benefits can lead to healthier plants and higher yields.
Gravity Feed
gravity feed: Gravity feed is a system where pellets, seeds, or granules fall from a hopper into a distribution channel. Using gravity feed systems improves efficiency and consistency in feeding livestock.
Sirloin
A primal cut of beef obtained from the back, known for its tenderness and flavor. Sirloin cuts include top sirloin and bottom sirloin. For instance, producing top sirloin steaks for grilling and roasting.
Cloxacillin
Cloxacillin: A type of antibiotic. Using antibiotics like cloxacillin helps farmers manage livestock health and treat bacterial infections effectively.
Tree Farming
tree farming: The growing of trees for commercial purposes. Implementing tree farming can provide sustainable income and support conservation efforts.
Potato Elevator Digger
potato elevator digger: A machine which lifts potatoes. Helpful content: Using a potato elevator digger can improve harvest efficiency and reduce labor costs. This machine helps farmers quickly and effectively lift potatoes from the field, ensuring timely and high-quality harvests.
Calf Recordkeeping
The practice of maintaining detailed health and management records for each calf. Recordkeeping helps track vaccinations, treatments, and growth. For instance, using software to manage the health records of calves and monitor their development.
Water Meter
water meter: A device that records the amount of water that passes through a pipe, e.g. to monitor the water intake of animals. Using water meters can improve water use efficiency and reduce costs on the farm.
Tripe
The lining of the stomach of ruminant animals, known for its chewy texture and mild flavor. Tripe is used in various traditional dishes. For example, processing beef tripe for use in soups and stews.
White Plymouth Rock
White Plymouth Rock: A large heavy breed of table poultry. Raising White Plymouth Rock chickens can provide high-quality meat, enhancing farm profitability.