Veterinary Laboratories Agency
by Veterinary Laboratories Agency: An executive agency of Defra which diagnoses, tracks, and researches disease in animals. The VLA’s work is crucial for managing animal health and preventing disease outbreaks.
Genetic Manipulation
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.
Vegetative
vegetative: Referring to plants. Maintaining vegetative cover can enhance soil fertility and prevent erosion, supporting sustainable farming practices.
Decumbent
decumbent: Referring to plant stems which lie on the surface of the soil for part of their length, but turn upwards at the end. Decumbent plants can be useful in ground cover and erosion control. Farmers should consider incorporating decumbent plants into their cropping systems to protect soil, reduce weed pressure, and improve biodiversity. Proper management and selection of decumbent species can enhance their benefits in agricultural landscapes.
Brackish Water
brackish water: Water that has more salinity than freshwater but less than seawater. Understanding water quality is important for managing irrigation and aquaculture systems effectively.
Calf Diphtheria
Calf Diphtheria: A disease affecting the mouth and throat of a calf. Preventing and treating calf diphtheria involves maintaining good hygiene and providing appropriate veterinary care to ensure the health of young livestock.
Curative Fungicide
Curative Fungicide: Curative fungicide /kj??r?t?v f??g?sa?d/ noun a fungicide that is applied to plants once they have been infected with a fungus rather than as a preventative measure. Utilizing curative fungicides protects crops from fungal diseases.
Spading Machine
spading machine: a machine which uses rotating digger blades to cultivate compacted topsoil and dig out pans created by other cultivators. Using spading machines improves soil aeration and structure, promoting healthy root growth and better crop yields.
Nitrogen Fixation
nitrogen fixation: the process by which nitrogen in the air is converted by bacteria in some plant roots into nitrogen compounds. When the plants die, the nitrogen is released into the soil and acts as a fertilizer. Nitrogen fixation is a natural process that enriches soil with essential nitrogen, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers. Farmers can benefit from incorporating nitrogen-fixing plants like legumes into their crop rotations. This practice improves soil fertility, supports sustainable nutrient management, and enhances crop yields. Understanding nitrogen fixation helps farmers optimize crop planning and soil health management, contributing to long-term farm productivity.
Capillarity
Capillarity: Same as capillary action, the movement of a liquid upwards inside a narrow tube or through the soil. Understanding capillarity helps farmers manage soil moisture levels and optimize irrigation practices.
Wholesale Seed Merchant
wholesale seed merchant: A wholesale seed merchant is a dealer who sells large quantities of seeds, often to retailers or large-scale farmers. Farmers benefit from buying seeds wholesale as it often reduces costs and ensures a consistent supply of seeds for planting.
Livestock Trailer
A vehicle designed for transporting livestock, equipped with ventilation, ramps, and secure enclosures. Livestock trailers are essential for moving animals safely. For instance, using a livestock trailer to transport cattle to a feedlot or auction.
Sustainable Production Processes
sustainable production processes: agricultural production methods which do not damage or deplete natural resources. Adopting sustainable production processes ensures long-term productivity and environmental health, supporting farm profitability.
Die Down
die down: To stop growing before the winter and keep only the parts below ground until spring. Herbaceous plants die down in autumn. Managing plants that die down involves proper care and maintenance during their dormant period. Farmers and gardeners should ensure proper mulching, watering, and protection to support plant health and regrowth in spring. Understanding the growth patterns of herbaceous plants can aid in effective seasonal management.
Side-Dress Fertilizer
A method of applying fertilizer alongside growing plants to provide additional nutrients during critical growth stages. Side-dress fertilization helps support healthy plant development and improve yields. For example, applying side-dress fertilizer to corn plants during the growing season to enhance nutrient uptake.
Utility
A USDA quality grade for beef, often from older animals with minimal marbling and tenderness. Utility beef is commonly used in processed products. For example, using Utility beef for ground beef and pet food.
Dairy Renewable Energy
The use of renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and biogas, to power dairy operations. For example, installing solar panels on a dairy farm to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and improve sustainability.
Crucifer Crop
Crucifer Crop: Crucifer crop noun crops such as broccoli, cabbage, turnips, and spinach belonging to the Cruciferaceae family. Cultivating crucifer crops provides nutritious vegetables for markets.
Cattle Milkshake
A sweet, cold beverage made from milk, ice cream, and flavorings. Milkshakes are popular treats in many cultures. For instance, offering chocolate milkshakes as a dessert option in a dairy farm’s café.
Tick-Borne Fever
tick-borne fever: An infectious disease transmitted by bites from ticks. In cattle, the disease causes loss of milk yield and a lower resistance to other diseases. In sheep, it causes fever, listlessness, and loss of weight. Abortions may occur as a result of tick-borne fever. Effective management and prevention of tick-borne fever are essential for maintaining livestock health and productivity.
Food Product Security Governance Frameworks
The structures and processes used to oversee and manage security practices in food production and distribution, ensuring accountability and compliance. For example, implementing food product security governance frameworks to ensure effective security management and regulatory adherence.
Trafficability
trafficability: The ability of soil to take machinery or stock without significant soil damage. It is related to the soil water content. Monitoring and managing trafficability can prevent soil compaction and enhance crop growth.
Nutritious
nutritious: adjective (of food) containing the elements needed to nourish plants and animals, e.g., a diet of nutritious food. Nutritious foods support the health and productivity of both humans and livestock. Farmers can benefit from growing and producing nutritious crops and feed to meet market demands and improve animal performance. Understanding the nutritional requirements of crops and livestock helps optimize production practices and diet formulation, ensuring optimal growth and health. Providing nutritious options supports sustainable farming, enhances marketability, and increases farm profitability.
Summer Grazing
The practice of allowing livestock to graze on pastures during the summer months when forage is abundant. Summer grazing helps reduce feed costs and support animal health. For instance, rotating cattle through different pastures during the summer to optimize forage use.
Farrowing Fever
Farrowing Fever: A disease of pigs caused by inflammation of the womb. Pigs suffer high temperatures and loss of appetite. Also called MMA. Early detection and treatment of farrowing fever are crucial for maintaining pig health and productivity.
Injurious Weed
injurious weed: A weed which causes damage to crops or livestock, e.g. ragwort or creeping thistle. Helps farmers identify and manage harmful weeds.
Spinach Beet
spinach beet: a plant similar to sugar beet, but grown for its leaves which are cooked in the same way as spinach. Growing spinach beet provides farmers with a versatile crop for fresh and processed markets, enhancing farm income and sustainability.
Lodgepole Pine
Lodgepole Pine: Lodgepole pine is a slow-growing tree which thrives on poor soil and is used as a pioneer crop (Pinus contorta). Growing lodgepole pine can provide farmers with a sustainable source of timber and improve soil health.
Dipping Bath
dipping bath: Same as dipper. Using a dipping bath is an effective method for managing external parasites in livestock. Farmers should ensure proper construction and maintenance of dipping baths for safe and effective dipping. Understanding the benefits and applications of dipping baths will aid in effective parasite management and improved livestock welfare.
Volatile Oils
volatile oils: Concentrated oils from a scented plant used in cosmetics or as antiseptics. Producing volatile oils can provide an additional income stream for farmers.
Clean Crop
Clean Crop: A measure of the amount of cereal not mixed with seeds of other plants. Managing clean crops involves using appropriate weed control measures to ensure high-quality produce.
Proven Sire
proven sire: A bull, boar, or ram which has been shown to sire progeny that produce milk, meat, or wool of high quality. Helpful content: Using proven sires in breeding programs enhances genetic quality and productivity. Farmers can achieve better offspring performance and overall herd improvement through careful sire selection.
Carbon Monoxide (Co)
Carbon Monoxide (CO): A colorless, odorless, and poisonous gas found in car fumes, burning gas, and cigarette smoke. Ensuring proper ventilation and monitoring carbon monoxide levels protects livestock and farmworkers from poisoning.
Ecological Engineering
ecological engineering: A design process that aims to integrate human activities with the natural environment for the benefit of both. Ecological engineering can help farmers create sustainable farm designs that minimize environmental impact.
Continuing Professional Development
Continuing Professional Development: Continuing professional development noun the continuation of training and study throughout a persons career. Abbr CPD. Experience of dairying in New Zealand and the USA indicates that both these dairying cultures place emphasis on communication, as well as the continuing professional development of their staff. [Farmers Weekly]. Engaging in continuing professional development ensures up-to-date knowledge and skills for agricultural professionals.