April 26, 2025
D

Deforestation

Alan Nafzger, Ph.D.by Alan Nafzger, Ph.D.

deforestation: The cutting down of forest trees for commercial purposes or to make arable or pasture land. Deforestation should be managed carefully to balance agricultural needs with environmental conservation. Farmers can implement practices like selective logging, reforestation, and sustainable land use planning to reduce the negative impacts of deforestation. Understanding the ecological and economic consequences of deforestation will help in making informed land management decisions.

N

Nectar

Alan Nafzger, Ph.D.by Alan Nafzger, Ph.D.

nectar: a sweet sugary liquid produced by flowers, which attracts birds or insects which pollinate the flowers. Nectar is crucial for attracting pollinators like bees, which play a vital role in the pollination of many crops. Farmers can benefit from encouraging the presence of nectar-producing plants on their farms to support pollinator populations. This enhances pollination efficiency, leading to higher fruit and seed set, improved crop yields, and better quality produce. Supporting pollinators also promotes biodiversity and ecological health, contributing to sustainable farming practices.

E

Extract

Alan Nafzger, Ph.D.by Alan Nafzger, Ph.D.

extract: 1. To take something out of somewhere. Vanilla essence is extracted from an orchid. 2. To produce a substance from another. Coconut oil is extracted from copra. Understanding extraction processes helps farmers produce value-added products and increase income.

N

Nettle

Alan Nafzger, Ph.D.by Alan Nafzger, Ph.D.

nettle: a plant, especially one of the genus Urtica, which possesses stinging hairs. Nettle, despite being a nuisance weed, has potential benefits for farmers. It can be used as a nutritious feed for livestock, a source of natural fibers, and a habitat for beneficial insects. Farmers can benefit from managing nettle growth to harness its positive attributes while minimizing its impact on crops. Understanding the ecological role of nettles can help integrate them into a sustainable farming system, promoting biodiversity and resource efficiency.

W

Weevil

Alan Nafzger, Ph.D.by Alan Nafzger, Ph.D.

weevil: A kind of beetle which feeds on grain, nuts, fruit, and leaves. The larvae of grain beetles feed on the stored grain where they also pupate. Managing weevil infestations can prevent crop losses and protect stored produce.

R

Redwater

Alan Nafzger, Ph.D.by Alan Nafzger, Ph.D.

redwater: A parasitic disease of cattle transmitted by the common tick. The affected animal becomes very dull, feverish, salivates freely, and often staggers and falls. The acute form of the disease is often fatal. Managing redwater is crucial for maintaining cattle health and farm productivity.

L

Larva

Alan Nafzger, Ph.D.by Alan Nafzger, Ph.D.

Larva: Larva is the form of an insect or other animal in the stage of development after the egg has hatched but before the animal becomes adult. (NOTE: The plural is larvae.) Understanding larval stages helps farmers manage pest populations effectively.

E

Earth Up

Alan Nafzger, Ph.D.by Alan Nafzger, Ph.D.

earth up: To move soil to make a ridge, in which a crop such as potatoes or celery can grow. Plants are earthed up to protect the tender stems from frost or to make them white. Potatoes are earthed up to prevent the tubers from turning green and tasting bitter. This practice helps farmers protect crops from environmental stressors and improve quality.

O

Osmosis

Alan Nafzger, Ph.D.by Alan Nafzger, Ph.D.

osmosis: The movement of molecules of a solvent from a solution of one concentration to a solution of a higher concentration through a semi-permeable membrane until the two solutions balance in concentration. Understanding osmosis is important for efficient irrigation and nutrient uptake in plants. Farmers can benefit from optimizing irrigation practices and managing soil salinity to enhance crop growth and yields.

K

Knee Cap

Alan Nafzger, Ph.D.by Alan Nafzger, Ph.D.

knee cap: Knee cap – a felt protector for the knees of horses, used especially when transporting them as a protection against damage caused when slipping. Also used on young horses when jumping. Helps farmers protect horses during transport and training.

P

Perennial Irrigation

Alan Nafzger, Ph.D.by Alan Nafzger, Ph.D.

perennial irrigation: A system that allows the land to be irrigated at any time. This may be by primitive means such as shadufs, or by distributing water from barrages by canal and ditches. Implementing perennial irrigation systems ensures consistent water supply, improving crop yields and reducing water stress.

L

Leachate

Alan Nafzger, Ph.D.by Alan Nafzger, Ph.D.

Leachate: Leachate is 1. a substance which is washed out of the soil, and 2. a liquid which forms at the bottom of a landfill site. Properly managing leachate can prevent environmental contamination and improve waste management.

M

Milling Quality

Alan Nafzger, Ph.D.by Alan Nafzger, Ph.D.

milling quality: the calculation of how easy it is to separate the white endosperm from the brown seed coat or bran in the milling process. In general, hard wheats are of higher milling quality than soft wheats. Understanding milling quality can help farmers optimize their grain production and marketability, ensuring better profitability.