Month: April 2007

self-feed: To take a controlled amount of feed from a large container as required. Farmers benefit from using self-feed systems for efficient and consistent livestock feeding.

Cox’s Orange Pippin: Cox’s orange pippin /k?ksiz ?rind p?pin/ noun a popular variety of dessert apple. The most important commercially grown apple in the UK. Cultivating Cox’s Orange Pippin apples provides high-quality fruit for markets.

gley: A thick rich soil found in waterlogged ground. Knowledge of gley soils is important for managing drainage and improving soil fertility.

RELU: Abbreviation for rural economy and land use. Understanding RELU helps farmers manage rural resources sustainably and support rural development.

synergism: the interaction of two or more organisms or chemicals that produce an effect greater than the sum of their separate effects. Understanding and managing synergism ensures optimal interactions and productivity in agricultural systems.

nitrogen-fixing plant: a leguminous plant which forms an association with bacteria that convert nitrogen from the air into nitrogen compounds in the soil, e.g., a pea plant. Nitrogen-fixing plants play a crucial role in maintaining soil fertility and reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers. Farmers can benefit from including these plants in their crop rotations or as cover crops to improve soil nitrogen levels. This practice enhances soil health, promotes sustainable farming, and reduces input costs. Utilizing nitrogen-fixing plants helps ensure a more resilient and productive farming system.

Colic: Colic noun pain in any part of the intestinal tract, especially a symptom of abdominal pain in horses. Managing colic in horses involves proper diet, healthcare, and monitoring.

Swedish Red and White: a dual-purpose breed of cattle found in Central and Southern Sweden. The animals are cherry red in colour with white markings. Properly managing Swedish Red and White cattle ensures healthy growth and productivity, supporting farm profitability and sustainability.

RRA: Abbreviation for Rothamsted Research Association. The RRA supports agricultural research and innovation, benefiting farmers through improved crop and soil management techniques.

egg: 1. A reproductive cell produced in a female mammal by the ovary which, if fertilized by male sperm, becomes an embryo. 2. A fertilized ovum of an animal such as a bird, fish, reptile, amphibian, or insect, protected by a membrane layer in which the embryo continues developing outside the mother’s body until it hatches. 3. A round object laid by female birds, with a hard calcareous shell forming a case containing albumen and yolk. The young bird grows inside the egg until it hatches. Understanding egg development and health is crucial for poultry farmers to ensure high-quality production.