Branding Iron
by branding iron: A tool used to apply a brand to livestock. Using branding irons ensures clear and permanent identification marks on animals.
NSRI
NSRI: abbreviation for National Soil Resources Institute. The National Soil Resources Institute offers farmers access to research, education, and training on soil health and land management. By utilizing NSRI’s resources, farmers can adopt practices that improve soil fertility, structure, and water retention, leading to better crop yields and sustainable land use. Knowledge gained from NSRI can also help farmers reduce soil erosion, enhance nutrient management, and promote environmentally friendly farming methods.
Impoverished
impoverished: Referring to something with reduced quality. If impoverished soil is left fallow for some years, nutrients may build up in the soil again. Helps farmers recognize and restore degraded land.
Soil Parent Material
soil parent material: material from which soil is formed. Understanding soil parent material helps farmers manage land resources effectively, promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
Seed Weevil
seed weevil: A pest affecting brassica seed crops. Seeds are destroyed in their pods by the larvae. Farmers benefit from managing seed weevil infestations to protect seed crops and ensure high yields.
Tuberculin Testing
tuberculin testing: The testing of cattle for the presence of bovine tuberculosis. Implementing tuberculin testing can prevent the spread of tuberculosis and ensure herd health.
Herbage Mass
herbage mass: The weight of herbage produced in a specified area. Measuring herbage mass helps farmers assess pasture productivity and plan grazing rotations.
Deadweight Average Pig Price
Deadweight Average Pig Price: The average price for pigs, calculated each week from reports by abattoirs on the price they paid for the pigs they have slaughtered. It replaced the Adjusted Eurospec Average price report in 2004. Abbr DAPP. Pig farmers should stay updated with the Deadweight Average Pig Price to make informed decisions about selling their pigs. Understanding market trends and pricing can help maximize profits and plan production schedules effectively.
Freedom Food
Freedom Food: An RSPCA scheme that sets out guidelines for the welfare of livestock and labels food from participating suppliers. Adhering to Freedom Food guidelines ensures ethical and humane treatment of livestock.
Grapefruit
grapefruit: Grapefruit is a citrus fruit similar to the orange. Growing grapefruit diversifies farm products and meets consumer demand for healthy, nutritious fruits.
Vernalisation
vernalisation: A requirement by some plants for a period of cold in order to develop normally or the technique of making a seed germinate early by refrigerating it for a time. Using vernalisation can improve germination rates and crop yields.
Agrobiodiversity
agrobiodiversity: The aspects of biodiversity that affect agriculture and food production, including within-species, species, and ecosystem diversity. Managing agrobiodiversity helps farmers improve resilience and sustainability in their farming systems.
Convenience Foods
Convenience Foods: Convenience foods plural noun foods which have been prepared so that they are ready to be served after simply being reheated People are working longer hours. As a result demand for convenience foods has exploded, not just for pre-packed ready meals, but quickly cooked food like chops and steaks. [Farmers Guardian]. Producing convenience foods meets market demands and provides quick meal solutions.
Sheep Maggot Fly
sheep maggot fly: A type of fly that lays its eggs on the wool of sheep. The eggs hatch into maggots that burrow into the flesh causing a condition known as strike. Farmers benefit from managing sheep maggot fly infestations to protect livestock health and productivity.
Exploit
exploit: 1. To take advantage of something. Ladybirds have exploited the sudden increase in the numbers of insects. 2. To use a natural resource. Exploiting the natural wealth of the forest. 3. To treat something or someone unfairly for personal benefit. Understanding exploitation helps farmers manage resources sustainably and ethically.
Herbaceous
herbaceous: Referring to plants with soft non-woody tissue that die down above ground to survive through the winter. Understanding herbaceous plants helps farmers select appropriate species for seasonal growth and landscaping.
Speckled Yellowing
speckled yellowing: a disease of sugar beet caused by a deficiency of manganese. Managing speckled yellowing ensures healthy sugar beet crops, preventing yield losses and maintaining quality.
Let-Down
Let-Down: Let-down refers to the let-down of milk, the release of milk from the mammary gland. The hormone oxytoxin activates the release of milk. The let-down lasts between seven and ten minutes, when the extraction of milk from the udder is easiest. Understanding the let-down process helps dairy farmers optimize milking efficiency.
Second Early Potatoes
second early potatoes: The crop of potatoes that follows the first early crop. Farmers benefit from growing second early potatoes to extend the harvesting season and improve crop rotation.
Pupa
pupa: A stage in the development of some insects such as butterflies when the larva becomes encased in a hard shell. The plural is pupae. Helpful content: Recognizing the pupal stage in beneficial insects helps farmers implement biological control methods. Protecting and encouraging beneficial insects can enhance pest management and crop health.
Prolonged
prolonged: Lasting for a long time. Helpful content: Understanding the impacts of prolonged environmental conditions, such as drought or cold spells, helps farmers implement adaptive strategies. Proper planning and resource management can mitigate the effects of adverse conditions on crop and livestock production.
Animal Inspector
animal inspector: An official whose job is to inspect animals to see if they have notifiable diseases and are being kept in acceptable conditions. Farmers benefit from inspections to ensure livestock health and compliance with regulations.
Polythene
polythene: A type of plastic used to make artificial fibres, packaging, boxes, and other articles. Also called polyethylene. Helpful content: Polythene products are essential for protecting crops, conserving soil moisture, and reducing weed pressure. Farmers can use polythene mulches and covers to enhance crop growth and improve overall farm productivity.
Food Hygiene
Food Hygiene: The series of actions taken to ensure clean, healthy conditions for handling, storing, and serving food. Proper food hygiene practices ensure food safety and quality.
Grey Water
grey water: Grey water is relatively clean wastewater from sinks, baths, and kitchen appliances. Using grey water for irrigation supports water conservation, reducing costs and enhancing farm sustainability.
Beef Sweat Gland
The sweat glands of cattle, often used for medicinal purposes. For example, producing beef sweat gland for pharmaceutical and health applications.
Production
production: The act of manufacturing or producing something. Helpful content: Efficient production practices are essential for maximizing farm output. Farmers can adopt innovative technologies and sustainable methods to enhance productivity and reduce environmental impact.
Outwinter
outwinter: Keeping cattle and sheep outdoors in fields during the winter months. Outwintering can reduce housing costs and improve animal health. Farmers can benefit from implementing proper outwintering practices, such as providing shelter and adequate nutrition, to maintain livestock welfare and productivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions: A document containing common questions and their answers related to a particular subject. Abbr FAQ. Providing FAQs helps farmers access important information and make informed decisions.
Leaf Area Index
Leaf Area Index: Leaf area index is the area of green leaf per unit area of ground. Abbr LAI. Monitoring leaf area index can help farmers assess crop health and optimize irrigation and fertilization.
Fortified Food
Fortified Food: Food with vitamins or proteins added to make it more nutritional. Providing fortified food ensures high-quality nutrition for livestock and supports their health and productivity.
Disease Resistance
disease resistance: The ability of a plant or animal to prevent or overcome infection by pathogens. Breeding for disease resistance can improve crop and livestock health and reduce the need for chemical treatments.
Dairy Promotion
Activities and campaigns designed to increase consumer awareness and demand for dairy products. For example, running dairy promotion events to educate consumers about the benefits of milk and dairy products.
Cornflower
Cornflower: Cornflower /k?nfla??/ noun a common weed (Centaurea cyanus) with tall stems and bright blue flowers. Managing cornflower involves using weed control measures to protect crops.
Discharged
discharged: The process of converting a substance into gas, or the loss of electrical energy from a battery. Managing the discharge of substances and equipment is important for maintaining farm operations and safety. Farmers should implement proper handling, storage, and disposal practices to prevent contamination and accidents. Understanding the processes and impacts of discharge will aid in effective resource management.
Self-Sterile
self-sterile: Referring to a plant that cannot fertilise itself from its own flowers. Farmers benefit from understanding self-sterility for effective breeding and crop production.