Agricultural Terms and Helpful Expert Insight
Lomé Convention: Lomé Convention is an agreement reached in 1975 between the European Community and 66 developing nations (the ACP states). It gives entry into the EU for certain agricultural produce without duty, with sections on guaranteed prices. Cotonou Agreement. Understanding trade agreements like the Lomé Convention can help farmers access new markets and enhance agricultural trade.
The salivary glands of cattle, often used for medicinal purposes. For example, producing beef salivary gland for pharmaceutical and health applications.
hill drainage: Small open channels about ten to sixty meters apart, dug to drain hilly grazing areas. Implementing hill drainage improves pasture conditions and prevents waterlogging.
NOAH: abbreviation for National Office of Animal Health. The National Office of Animal Health provides farmers with information on veterinary medicines and best practices for animal health management. By staying informed through NOAH, farmers can ensure their livestock receive effective treatments, prevent disease outbreaks, and maintain high animal welfare standards. Access to reliable veterinary products and guidance helps improve livestock productivity, health, and farm profitability.
Secondary products obtained from cattle, including hides, bones, and offal. Beef by-products are used in various industries. For example, processing beef by-products into leather, pet food, and pharmaceutical ingredients.
DARDNI: Abbreviation for Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Northern Ireland. Similar to DARD, DARDNI offers support and resources specific to Northern Ireland. Farmers should stay informed about the programs and services available through DARDNI to enhance their farm operations and ensure compliance with local agricultural policies.
ecological: Referring to ecology. Ecological knowledge helps farmers adopt practices that support environmental health and biodiversity.
The technologies and practices used to ensure the ongoing operation and resilience of food production and distribution businesses during and after disruptions, including planning, testing, and recovery. For example, implementing food product business continuity management solutions to protect against potential risks and ensure long-term success.
doctor: A person who has a degree in medicine and practices as a physician. Understanding the role of doctors is important for managing human health and well-being. Farmers should work with medical professionals to ensure the health and safety of farm workers. Understanding the importance of healthcare and medical support will aid in promoting a healthy and productive farm environment.
ergotamine: The toxin that causes ergotism. Understanding ergotamine helps farmers manage crop health and prevent contamination.
Best practices for handling and managing livestock to reduce stress and improve welfare. For example, implementing livestock handling guidelines to improve productivity and ensure humane treatment.
Centrifugation: The separation of components of a liquid in a centrifuge. Also called centrifuging. Using centrifugation in dairy and food processing helps farmers and producers separate and refine products efficiently.
Salmonella: A genus of bacteria found in the intestines, which are acquired by eating contaminated food. Different species cause food poisoning and typhoid fever. Farmers benefit from understanding and preventing Salmonella infections to ensure food safety and public health.
Common: Common adjective belonging to several different people or to everyone common land noun an area of land to which the public has access for walking COMMENT: About 80% of common land is privately owned and, subject to the interests of any commoners, owners enjoy essentially the same rights as the owners of other land. Commoners have different types of rights of common, e.g. to graze animals, or to extract sand, gravel, or peat. Managing common land involves balancing public access with sustainable land use practices.
emaciation: Becoming extremely thin. Scab causes emaciation in sheep. Managing emaciation is crucial for farmers to ensure the health and productivity of their livestock.
rainwater harvesting: The collection and storage of rainwater for agricultural use. Rainwater harvesting helps farmers manage water resources and reduce dependence on external water supplies.
Condition Scoring: Condition scoring noun a method of assessing the state of body condition of animals; scores range from 05 for cattle and 19 for sows. Low condition scores indicate thinness, and high scores fatness. A score of about 3 is ideal. Condition scoring is the ideal on-farm method of assessing cow body reserves as it requires no specialist equipment or weighing facilities and once you get a grasp of the points system it is relatively quick to do. [Dairy Farmer]. Using condition scoring helps monitor and manage livestock health and nutrition.
Gloucester: A hard British cheese. A rare breed of cattle, mahogany in color, with a white strip passing down the back, over the tail, down the hindquarters, and along the belly. Its milk was originally used in the production of Double Gloucester cheese. Raising Gloucester cattle can provide high-quality milk and cheese, benefiting farmers through diversified dairy production.
Cotyledon: Cotyledon /k?ti li:d?n/ noun the green plant structure resembling a leaf that appears as a seed germinates and before the true leaves appear, developing from the embryo of the seed COMMENT: Cotyledons are thicker than normal leaves, and contain food for the growing plant. Plants are divided into two groups, those producing a single cotyledon (monocotyledons) and those producing two cotyledons (dicotyledons). Understanding cotyledon development aids in managing seed germination and crop growth.
The bone structure of cattle, providing support and protection for the body’s organs and tissues. Understanding the cattle skeleton is important for health and management. For example, examining the cattle skeleton to diagnose and treat skeletal issues.
Chill Starvation: A disease affecting very young lambs, caused by loss of body heat during severe weather conditions. Preventing chill starvation involves providing adequate shelter and nutrition to young lambs to ensure their survival and growth.
xerophilous: Xerophilous refers to plants that live in very dry conditions. Understanding xerophilous plants helps farmers manage crops in drought-prone areas.
tied cottage: A house which can be occupied by the tenant as long as the tenant remains an employee of the landlord. Understanding tied cottage arrangements can provide housing solutions for farm workers and support farm operations.
egg eating: A form of behavior by intensively housed poultry in which birds eat their own eggs. It may be due to eggs being broken because of thin shells. Managing egg eating behavior helps farmers reduce losses and improve egg quality.
total bacterial count: A system of calculating the strength of an infection by counting the number of bacteria present in a sample quantity of liquid taken from the animal. Monitoring total bacterial count ensures food safety and quality in dairy and meat products.
Strategies and practices to prevent and manage mastitis in dairy herds, including hygiene, milking procedures, and treatment protocols. For example, implementing a comprehensive mastitis control program to reduce infections and improve milk quality.
The use of advanced technology to improve farming practices and efficiency. Farm technology includes GPS guidance systems, automated machinery, and data analytics. For example, using precision farming tools to optimize planting and irrigation.
NSA: abbreviation for nitrate-sensitive area. Managing nitrate use in nitrate-sensitive areas is crucial for protecting water quality and preventing pollution. Farmers can benefit from adhering to regulations and adopting best practices for nitrogen management, such as using precision farming techniques, cover crops, and buffer zones. Compliance with guidelines helps maintain soil fertility, protect water resources, and promote sustainable farming practices.
hoof and horn meal: A fertilizer made from animal hooves and horns. Using hoof and horn meal improves soil fertility and supports healthy crop growth.
The overall skeletal size of an animal, influencing its growth, development, and suitability for various production systems. For example, choosing cattle with medium frame size for efficient feedlot performance and market weight.
bottom plow: A plow designed for deep tillage. Using bottom plows improves soil structure and prepares fields for planting.
intervention: The act of making a change in a system. Helps farmers implement necessary changes in farming practices.
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