Month: February 2009

parsley piert: A common weed (Aphanes arvensis) affecting winter cereals. Also called lamb’s foot. Effective weed management ensures healthy crop growth and higher yields.

optimum: Referring to the point at which the condition or amount of something is the best. Understanding optimum conditions for crop and livestock production can enhance yields and quality. Farmers can benefit from precise management of environmental factors, inputs, and practices to achieve optimal results.

A method of tagging livestock using electronic devices such as RFID (radio-frequency identification) tags. EID allows for automated data collection and tracking. For instance, using EID tags to monitor cattle movements and health status.

Cauliflower: A plant of the cabbage family with a large white head made up of a mass of curds. Growing cauliflowers provides nutritious food and valuable produce for fresh markets and processing, contributing to farm income.

drift: To float in the air onto areas that are not to be sprayed. Drift can lead to unintended exposure of crops or areas to pesticides or fertilizers, which can be harmful. Farmers should use techniques to minimize drift, such as proper nozzle selection and application methods.

Fertility: 1. The state of being fertile. 2. The proportion of eggs which develop into young. 3. A measure of the ability of a female to conceive and produce young or of the male to fertilise the female. Managing fertility is crucial for successful breeding and high productivity.

Contact Animal: Contact animal noun an animal which has had contact with a diseased animal and which may need to be isolated ‘Movement restrictions placed on the contact animals in the herd will remain in place and the animals will be subject to testing for brucellosis over a period of months.’ [Farmers Guardian]. Managing contact animals helps prevent disease spread and ensure herd health.

Farm Animal Welfare Council: An agency established by the British government to review the welfare of farm animals on agricultural land, at markets, in transit, and at the place of slaughter. Abbr FAWC. This council helps ensure ethical treatment and welfare standards for farm animals.

thiabendazole: A substance used to worm cattle. Proper use of thiabendazole can help manage parasitic infections in livestock, ensuring health and productivity.

highlands: An area of mountains. Farmers in the highlands mostly raise sheep. Managing highland areas effectively supports grazing livestock and biodiversity.