April 26, 2025
P

PSS

PSS: Abbreviation for porcine stress syndrome. Helpful content: Managing porcine stress syndrome involves selecting animals without the halothane gene and reducing stress factors. Proper handling and management practices can improve animal welfare and productivity.

M

Meat And Bone Meal

meat and bone meal: meal made from waste meat and bones, formerly used in animal feed but now banned in the EU because of fears that it was a contributing factor in the spread of BSE. Abbr MBM. Understanding the regulations and alternatives to meat and bone meal can help farmers ensure the safety and marketability of their feed products.

D

Dispersed

dispersed: Referring to plants which are spread widely. Managing dispersed plant populations involves implementing proper land use planning and management practices. Farmers should consider the unique challenges and opportunities of dispersed plant populations and develop strategies to optimize their use. Understanding the factors contributing to dispersal will aid in effective land management and crop production.

H

Hand Hoe

hand hoe: A garden implement with a small sharp blade, used to break up the surface of the soil or to cut off weeds. Using a hand hoe allows for precise weeding and soil management, which is essential for maintaining healthy crops.

P

Plain

plain: A large area of flat country with few trees, especially in the middle of North America. Helpful content: Plains are often used for extensive agriculture due to their flat terrain and fertile soil. Understanding the characteristics of plains can help farmers optimize land use and crop selection.

C

Crop Dusting

Crop Dusting: Crop dusting noun the practice of applying insecticide, herbicide or fungicide to crops in the form of a fine dust or spray. Also called crop spraying. Implementing crop dusting practices protects crops from pests and diseases.

M

Maine-Anjou

Maine-Anjou: a breed of dual-purpose cattle developed in Brittany, now imported into the UK from France, and exported to many other countries. The animals are roan or red and white in colour. This breed can be beneficial for farmers looking for versatile cattle that provide both milk and meat, leading to diversified farm income and better economic stability.

T

Thrips

thrips: An insect that is a pest of vegetables, operating on the underside of leaves and leaving spots of sap or other liquid which are red or blackish-brown. Typical examples are the onion thrips, grain thrips, and pea thrips. Effective thrips management can protect crops and ensure better yields.

F

Foggage

Foggage: 1. A winter grazing of cattle on non-ryegrass swards. 2. Grass left standing to provide winter grazing for sheep and cattle. Proper management of foggage supports efficient grazing and livestock nutrition during the winter.

S

Soil Conservation

soil conservation: the use of a range of methods to prevent soil from being eroded or overcultivated, by irrigation, mulching, etc. Also called conservation of soil. Implementing soil conservation practices ensures long-term soil health and fertility, promoting sustainable agricultural productivity.

N

Nematodirus Disease

Nematodirus disease: a disease of lambs caused by parasitic roundworms. The animals suffer diarrhea and loss of condition. Preventing and managing Nematodirus disease is crucial for the health and productivity of lambs. Farmers can benefit from understanding the lifecycle of the parasite and implementing appropriate control measures such as strategic deworming and pasture management. Regular monitoring and early intervention can reduce the impact of the disease, ensuring healthier lambs, improved growth rates, and higher farm profitability.

B

Back

back: (Of the wind) changing direction anticlockwise in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the southern hemisphere. Farmers can use wind direction changes to predict weather patterns and protect crops from potential damage.

R

Rennin

rennin: An enzyme which makes milk coagulate in the stomach, so as to slow down the passage of the milk through the digestive system. Understanding rennin’s role helps farmers manage livestock diets and improve dairy production.

E

English Leicester

English Leicester: A breed of sheep derived from Robert Bakewell’s flock, used for breeding many other longwool breeds. It produces a heavy fleece and is now a rare breed. Raising English Leicester sheep can provide farmers with high-quality wool and contribute to the preservation of rare breeds.

H

Hand

hand: A measure used to show the height of a horse. One hand is 10.16cm, and the measurement is taken from the ground to the withers of the horse. Understanding measurements like ‘hand’ helps farmers and breeders accurately describe and assess horse height.

N

Nectar

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.