Month: November 2007

Lignify: To lignify means to become hard and woody. Plants are less digestible as they become lignified. Managing lignification in forage crops can improve livestock nutrition and digestibility.

Lactate: To lactate means to produce milk as food for young. Understanding lactation is essential for managing dairy herds effectively, ensuring optimal milk production and the health of both mother and offspring.

keiserite: Keiserite – magnesium sulphate powder, used as a fertilizer where magnesium deficiency is evident, especially in light sandy soil. Helps farmers correct soil nutrient deficiencies.

dewatering: The extraction of water from a crop by pressing, reducing the cost of artificial drying. Dewatering can be an efficient method for reducing moisture content in crops and preparing them for storage or processing. Farmers should use appropriate equipment and techniques to dewater crops effectively. Understanding the benefits and applications of dewatering can help improve post-harvest handling and reduce costs.

DOM: An abbreviation that can refer to digestible organic matter or dry organic matter. Understanding these terms is crucial for farmers managing soil health and composting processes, ensuring that organic matter is effectively used to improve soil fertility.

green tea: Green tea is tea where the leaves are heated to prevent fermentation. Cultivating green tea provides a high-value crop, meeting consumer demand for healthy beverages and enhancing farm profitability.

non-centrifugal sugar: a dark semi-solid sugar made by boiling the juices obtained from crushed sugar cane. India is the principal producer. Non-centrifugal sugar, also known as panela or jaggery, offers farmers an alternative value-added product. By producing non-centrifugal sugar, farmers can diversify their income streams, tap into niche markets, and add value to their sugar cane crops. Understanding the production process and market demand for non-centrifugal sugar can help farmers capitalize on this opportunity, enhancing farm profitability and sustainability.

The efforts and initiatives to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within food production and distribution businesses, including workforce representation, inclusive policies, and cultural competence. For example, implementing food product diversity and inclusion programs to create a more equitable and inclusive workplace.

sell-by date: A date on the label of a food product which is the last date on which the product should be sold and can be guaranteed as of good quality. Farmers benefit from understanding sell-by dates for food safety and quality control.

wireworm: Wireworm is the larvae of the click beetle that feeds on plant roots. Controlling wireworms is crucial for farmers to prevent damage to crops and maintain soil health.