Agricultural Terms and Helpful Expert Insight
Solari piggery: a type of housing for pigs, with fattening pens on each side of a central feeding passage, housed in an open-sided Dutch barn. Proper management of pig housing, such as Solari piggeries, ensures the health and productivity of pigs, supporting efficient livestock production.
Structures on a farm used for housing animals, storing equipment, and processing products. Farm buildings include barns, silos, and sheds. For example, constructing a new barn to house dairy cows and store feed.
dispersion: The scattering of seeds over a wide area. Understanding seed dispersion is important for managing plant populations and optimizing crop yields. Farmers should implement proper planting and management practices to achieve desired dispersion patterns. Understanding the benefits and applications of dispersion will aid in effective crop establishment and growth.
drawbar power: The power available to pull an implement, as opposed to the brake horsepower of a tractor. Under field conditions, not all brake horsepower will be available to pull implements, because some of it is needed to make the tractor itself move forwards and overcome the resistance of the bearings and the soil on the wheels. Understanding drawbar power helps farmers select the right equipment for their tractors.
meat-eating animal: same as carnivore. Understanding the dietary needs of meat-eating animals can help farmers manage livestock nutrition more effectively, ensuring better health and productivity.
immunisation: The production of immunity to a specific disease, either by injecting an antiserum or by giving an individual the disease in such a small dose that the body does not develop the disease, but produces antibodies to counteract it. Helps farmers protect livestock from diseases.
National Institute of Agricultural Botany: NIAB is an organization in the UK that tests all new varieties of crops. After successful testing, the varieties are made available to farmers. Abbr NIAB. The National Institute of Agricultural Botany plays a critical role in ensuring the quality and performance of crop varieties. Farmers benefit from NIAB’s rigorous testing by gaining access to high-yielding, disease-resistant, and climate-adapted crop varieties. Utilizing NIAB-approved seeds can lead to improved crop performance, higher productivity, and greater resilience to environmental stresses, contributing to sustainable farming practices.
respiratory system: A series of organs and passages that take air into the lungs and exchange oxygen for carbon dioxide. Maintaining healthy respiratory systems in livestock ensures their overall health and productivity.
The powerful computing systems that use HPC to perform advanced simulations, modeling, and analysis in food production and distribution. For example, using food product HPC clusters to accelerate research and development and improve decision-making.
Scottish Blackface: A very hardy breed of small mountain sheep. The fleece gives a long coarse springy wool, valued for making carpets. Older ewes are crossed with Border Leicester rams to give Greyface hybrids. Farmers benefit from raising Scottish Blackface sheep for their hardiness and valuable wool production.
distemper: An infectious disease affecting dogs, cats, and some other animals, causing fever, respiratory, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Managing distemper involves implementing proper biosecurity measures, vaccination, and regular health monitoring. Farmers should work with veterinarians to develop effective disease management plans and prevent outbreaks. Understanding the signs and symptoms of distemper will aid in early detection and treatment, ensuring the health and productivity of the herd.
peppermint: An aromatic herb (Mentha piperata) which is cultivated to produce an oil used in confectionery, drinks, and toothpaste. Growing herbs like peppermint can provide additional income and diversify farm products.
Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate: A branch of Defra which deals with plant health in the UK. Abbr PHSI. Helpful content: The Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate provides valuable services to farmers by monitoring and controlling plant pests and diseases. Their inspections and certifications help ensure the health and quality of crops, facilitating trade and market access.
proteolytic: Referring to proteolysis. Helpful content: Knowledge of proteolytic processes helps farmers manage livestock diets effectively. Ensuring efficient protein digestion can improve feed efficiency and animal performance.
The proportion of lean meat obtained from a carcass, expressed as a percentage. Lean yield is important for meat production efficiency. For instance, aiming for higher lean yields in beef production to maximize meat output and profitability.
interveinal yellowing: A condition of plants caused by magnesium deficiency, where the surface of the leaves turns yellow and the veins stay green. Helps farmers identify and correct nutrient deficiencies in crops.
rectal palpation: A technique used to diagnose pregnancy in cows. Early pregnancy detection through rectal palpation allows farmers to manage breeding programs more effectively.
Dutch harrow: An implement with a metal or wooden frame, with heavy tine bars almost at right angles to the direction of travel. The tines loosen the soil, and the heavy bars level the surface. Also called float. Dutch harrows are used in soil preparation to create a smooth seedbed for planting.
experimental farm: A farm which is used to experiment with new farming techniques, rather than being run as a commercial enterprise. Learning from experimental farms helps farmers adopt innovative practices and improve productivity.
potato spinner: A machine for lifting the potato crop. Helpful content: Potato spinners facilitate the harvesting process, helping to lift and separate potatoes from the soil. This equipment can improve harvest efficiency and reduce manual labor.
genetic manipulation: Same as genetic modification. Genetic manipulation techniques enable the development of crops and livestock with enhanced characteristics, aiding farmers in achieving higher efficiency and sustainability.
sericulture: Raising silkworms for the production of silk. Farmers benefit from engaging in sericulture for the production of valuable silk products.
oestrogen: A steroid hormone that controls the reproductive cycle and the development of secondary sexual characteristics in female primates. Understanding oestrogen’s role is important for managing livestock reproduction. Farmers can benefit from hormone management practices to optimize breeding programs and improve reproductive efficiency.
enclosure: 1. An area surrounded by a fence, often to contain animals. Compare exclosure 2. The action of enclosing open land. Field (NOTE: The term enclosure is used in England to refer especially to the enclosure of common land in the 16th and 18th centuries, when rights to common land were removed and major landowners used ditches, fences, hedgerows, and walls to mark the boundaries of land which they owned freehold.) Understanding enclosure history helps farmers manage land and livestock effectively.
Individual enclosures used to house calves, providing protection and isolation. Calf hutches help manage health and nutrition. For example, placing calves in hutches to monitor their growth and prevent the spread of diseases.
The practice of providing cattle with balanced diets to support their growth, reproduction, and health. Cattle feeding includes forage, grains, and supplements. For example, developing a feeding plan to optimize cattle nutrition and performance.
Farmland Bird: A bird that nests in an agricultural environment. Many are declining in numbers because of changes in agricultural practices. Protecting farmland birds supports biodiversity and ecological balance on farms.
dew: Drops of condensed moisture left on surfaces overnight in cool places. Dew can provide a valuable source of moisture for plants in arid regions. Farmers should consider the role of dew in their irrigation management and monitor its impact on crop health. Understanding the benefits of dew can help optimize water use and improve plant growth.
proteolysis: The breaking down of proteins in food by digestive enzymes. Helpful content: Understanding proteolysis is important for optimizing animal nutrition and digestion. Proper feed formulations can enhance protein breakdown and nutrient absorption, supporting animal health and productivity.
dental: Referring to teeth. Dental health is important for livestock to ensure proper feeding and nutrition. Farmers should regularly inspect and care for the teeth of their animals to prevent dental issues and maintain overall health. Working with veterinarians to develop dental care routines can improve animal welfare and productivity.
The strategies and practices used to promote and sell milk and dairy products. Effective dairy marketing helps reach consumers and increase sales. For example, developing marketing campaigns to highlight the quality and benefits of locally produced milk.
The practices used to sell and display food products in retail settings, including shelf placement, pricing, and promotions. For example, implementing food product sales and merchandising techniques to attract customers and increase sales.
orchard: An area of land used for growing fruit trees. Orchards can provide farmers with high-value crops and diversified income streams. Farmers can benefit from implementing best practices in orchard management, including pruning, pest control, and irrigation, to enhance fruit quality and yields.
Agriculture Industry Advisory Committee: The committee that advises the Health and Safety Commission on the protection of people at work and others from hazards to health and safety arising within the agricultural and related industries. Farmers benefit from the guidance of this committee to ensure workplace safety and compliance.
agricultural laborer: A person who does heavy work on a farm, formerly a rural worker with no land, and sometimes still a worker with a special skill, such as ditching or hedging. Understanding the role of agricultural laborers helps farmers manage their workforce effectively.
Low-Intensity Land: Low-intensity land is land on which crops are not intensively cultivated. Managing low-intensity land can enhance biodiversity and soil health.
hydrostatic pressure: The pressure of water that is not moving. Understanding hydrostatic pressure supports proper water management and infrastructure on the farm.
switchback: an acute disease of sheep that produces paralysis of the legs. Managing switchback disease ensures sheep health and productivity, supporting farm profitability.
The process of creating maps to visualize and analyze soil erosion patterns and risk areas. Soil erosion mapping helps guide land use planning and conservation efforts. For example, using soil erosion maps to identify high-risk areas and implement targeted erosion control measures on a farm.
riboflavin: A vitamin found in eggs, liver, green vegetables, milk, and yeast and also used as an additive (E101) in processed food. Also called vitamin B2. Ensuring adequate riboflavin intake supports livestock health and growth.
by