March 10, 2025
P

Pollution

pollution: The presence of unusually high concentrations of harmful substances or radioactivity in the environment, as a result of human activity or a natural process such as a volcanic eruption. Helpful content: Managing pollution on farms is crucial for protecting ecosystems and ensuring sustainable production. Farmers can implement practices like buffer strips, cover cropping, and proper waste management to reduce environmental impact.

H

Hand Feeding

hand feeding: Hand rearing, the process of bringing up orphaned animals by feeding them with a bottle. Hand feeding orphaned animals ensures their survival and can contribute to the genetic diversity and productivity of the herd or flock.

S

Smut

smut: a disease of cereal plants, caused by a fungus, that affects the development of the grain and makes it look black. Managing smut diseases ensures healthy cereal crops, preventing yield losses and maintaining quality.

I

Inoculum

inoculum: 1. Material used to inoculate a person or animal against a disease. 2. Microscopic airborne spores or other material from an organism that causes disease. Helps farmers understand and apply inoculation practices.

K

Kohlrabi

kohlrabi: Kohlrabi – a variety of cabbage with a swollen stem, used as a fodder crop, and also sometimes eaten as a vegetable. The leaves may be green or purple. Also called turnip-rooted cabbage. Helps farmers diversify crop production.

Herbicide Resistance

The ability of certain plants to survive and reproduce despite the application of herbicides. Herbicide resistance can develop through repeated use of the same herbicide, leading to the need for alternative weed control methods. For instance, rotating herbicides and using integrated weed management practices to prevent resistance.

S

Smoke

smoke: to preserve food by hanging it in the smoke from a fire. (NOTE: Smoking is used mainly for fish, but also for some bacon and cheese.) Using traditional smoking methods preserves food quality and extends shelf life, providing value-added products for farmers.

D

Duty Of Care

duty of care: A duty that every citizen and organization has not to act negligently, especially the system for the safe handling of waste, introduced by the UK Environmental Protection Act 1990. Farmers have a duty of care to manage waste responsibly and protect the environment.

D

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.

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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.

N

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.

D

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.