Month: July 2009

Classical Swine Fever: Same as swine fever. Managing swine fever involves implementing biosecurity measures and vaccination programs to protect pig health and ensure farm productivity.

stack: a pile of sheaves of grain, hay, or straw. Stacks can be round or square. Proper management of stacks ensures efficient storage and preservation of fodder, supporting livestock nutrition and farm productivity.

Agriculture Act 1968: An Act of Parliament which defines what constitutes livestock and makes it an offense to cause unnecessary pain or distress to a farm animal. Understanding this act helps farmers comply with animal welfare regulations and maintain ethical practices.

Feeder: 1. Something which supplies or adds to something else of the same type. 2. A container from which livestock are fed. Proper use of feeders ensures efficient feeding and reduces waste.

willow: Willow is a temperate hardwood tree often grown near water. It can be coppiced or pollarded to produce biomass for fuel, offering an additional income source for farmers.

natural vegetation: the range of plant communities that exist in the natural environment without being planted or managed by people. Preserving natural vegetation on farms can enhance biodiversity, improve soil health, and provide habitat for beneficial organisms. Farmers can benefit from integrating natural vegetation into their farming systems, promoting ecological balance and reducing the need for synthetic inputs. This approach supports sustainable land management, improves resilience to environmental stressors, and enhances the overall productivity of the farm.

bioremediation: The use of living organisms to remove or neutralize contaminants from a polluted area. Implementing bioremediation techniques helps farmers manage soil and water quality.

stop: to remove the growing tip of a shoot, to encourage lateral growths. Properly managing plant growth techniques like stopping ensures healthy development and better yields.

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.

ivy-leaved speedwell: A widespread weed (Veronica hederifolia) which affects most autumn sown crops. Also called bird’s-eye, eye-bright. Helps farmers identify and control this weed.