Agricultural Terms and Helpful Expert Insight
Adjusted Eurospec Average: Formerly, the average price for pigs. It was replaced in 2003 by the Deadweight Average Pig Price. Abbr AESA. Understanding market prices helps farmers make informed decisions about livestock sales.
A method of crop irrigation that uses a rotating sprinkler system to distribute water evenly over a circular area. This system is efficient and can cover large fields. For example, center pivot irrigation is commonly used in arid regions to water crops like corn and wheat.
growth ring: A growth ring, or annual ring, is a layer of growth produced in a plant during a single year. Analyzing growth rings helps farmers assess plant age and health, supporting forestry and crop management.
distillation: The process of purifying a liquid by heating it so that it becomes a gas and then condensing it to form a pure liquid again. Distillation is an important process for producing high-quality products like essential oils and spirits. Farmers should use appropriate equipment and techniques for effective distillation. Understanding the benefits and applications of distillation will aid in optimizing production and product quality.
post: A solid wooden or concrete pole, placed in a hole in the ground, and used to support a fence or a gate. Helpful content: Proper installation and maintenance of posts are essential for farm infrastructure. Durable and well-placed posts ensure the stability of fences and gates, enhancing farm security and management.
The study of economic principles and practices in the dairy industry, including production costs, pricing, and market trends. For example, analyzing dairy economics to optimize farm profitability and make informed business decisions.
ware growers: Farmers who grow potatoes for consumption, not for seed. Growing ware potatoes can provide a steady income stream from the food market.
synthetic pyrethroid: a chemical compound used as an insecticide, similar to a pyrethroid but manufactured artificially. Understanding and using synthetic pyrethroids effectively supports pest control and healthy crop growth, enhancing farm productivity.
agronomist: A person who studies the cultivation of crops and provides advice to farmers. Farmers benefit from the expertise of agronomists to optimize crop production and soil management.
saturate: To fill something with the maximum amount of a liquid that can be absorbed. Nitrates leached from forest soils, showing that the soils are saturated with nitrogen. Farmers benefit from understanding saturation to manage irrigation and prevent waterlogging or nutrient leaching.
droppings board: A bench under the perches in smaller poultry houses, on which bird droppings collect. Droppings boards help keep poultry houses clean and make it easier to collect and manage manure.
Derbyshire Gritstone: A black-faced, hornless hardy breed of sheep, which produces a soft fleece of high quality. The name comes from a type of rock, millstone grit, found in the Peak District of Derbyshire. Farmers raising Derbyshire Gritstone sheep should focus on proper grazing management, regular shearing, and health monitoring to maintain flock productivity. Marketing the unique characteristics of Derbyshire Gritstone wool can attract premium buyers and enhance farm profitability.
The process of filling and sealing milk into containers for distribution and sale. Milk packaging helps preserve freshness and ensure consumer safety. For instance, using aseptic packaging techniques to extend the shelf life of milk and dairy products.
Faeces: Solid waste matter passed from the bowels of a human or other animal after food has been eaten and digested. (The US spelling is feces.) Effective disposal and treatment of faeces help maintain farm hygiene, reduce disease risk, and can be used in composting to enhance soil fertility.
disk: Alternative spelling of disc. A circular agricultural implement used for tillage and soil preparation. Using disks can improve soil preparation and root penetration for crops. Farmers should select the appropriate type of disk for their needs and use it properly to achieve optimal soil conditions. Understanding the benefits and applications of disks will aid in effective soil management and crop establishment.
moratorium: an official suspension of an activity. Understanding the implications of moratoriums can help farmers navigate regulatory changes and ensure better compliance and sustainability.
moisture deficit: the difference between the amount of water in the soil and the amount needed by the crop. Understanding moisture deficit can help farmers manage irrigation and crop health more effectively, ensuring better productivity and sustainability.
pale leaf spot: White spots that form on the leaves of clover plants due to potash deficiency. Identifying and addressing nutrient deficiencies in plants can prevent yield losses and maintain healthy crops.
The involvement and interaction with local communities to promote food products and build relationships, including sponsorships, donations, and educational programs. For example, using food product community engagement to support local initiatives and enhance brand reputation.
The practices and systems used to ensure the quality and consistency of food products, including testing, inspections, and process control. For example, implementing food product quality assurance programs to meet regulatory standards and consumer expectations.
parasiticide: A substance that kills parasites. Using parasiticides helps maintain the health and productivity of crops and livestock.
guaranteed prices: Guaranteed prices are a feature of national agricultural policy where producers are guaranteed a minimum price for their produce. Understanding guaranteed prices helps farmers plan production and ensure economic stability.
Coppice: Coppice /k?pis/ noun an area of trees which have been cut down to near the ground to allow shoots to grow which are then harvested. The shoots may be used as fuel or for making products such as baskets or fencing. verb to cut trees down to near the ground to produce strong straight shoots Coppiced wood can be dried for use in wood-burning stoves. Compare pollard COMMENT: The best trees for coppicing are those which naturally send up several tall straight stems from a bole, such as hazel and sweet chestnut. In coppice management, the normal cycle is about five to ten years of growth, after which the stems are cut back. Thick stems are dried and used as fuel, or for making charcoal. Thin stems are used for fencing. Cash aid under the set-aside scheme could be used for short-rotation energy coppicing. Implementing coppicing practices provides sustainable wood production and enhances forest management.
Contamination: Contamination /k?ntmin ei?(?)n/ noun 1. the action of making something impure the contamination of the water supply by runoff from the fields 2. The state of something such as water or food which has been contaminated and so is harmful to living organisms The level of contamination is dropping. Preventing contamination ensures product safety and protects consumer health.
The methods and technologies used to store grain, including silos, bins, and warehouses, to prevent spoilage and maintain quality. For example, adopting grain storage techniques to protect harvested grain and ensure food security.
killing out percentage: Killing out percentage – the deadweight of an animal expressed as a percentage of its live weight. Helps farmers assess meat yield from livestock.
mammalian meat and bone meal: same as meat and bone meal. Understanding the nutritional value and uses of mammalian meat and bone meal can help farmers provide balanced diets for their livestock, leading to better growth and productivity.
disclimax: The most stable community of plants and animals that an area can support, occurring as a result of disturbance. Understanding disclimax is important for managing ecosystems and maintaining biodiversity. Farmers should implement sustainable land management practices to support stable and resilient plant and animal communities. Understanding the factors contributing to disclimax will aid in developing effective conservation and management strategies.
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