Month: May 2013

petroleum jelly: A type of grease which is produced from petroleum and is used as a lubricant and for treating sores on animal skin. Using petroleum jelly helps in treating minor injuries and maintaining livestock health.

malt: best-quality barley grains which have been through the malting process and are used in breweries to make beer and in distilleries to make whisky. Understanding the malting process and the quality requirements for malt can help farmers produce high-value barley, leading to better marketability and income.

biological diversity: Another term for biodiversity. Maintaining biological diversity enhances farm resilience and productivity.

blackboy: A colloquial term for the native Australian grass tree. Understanding native plant species like blackboy supports biodiversity and sustainable land management.

Capillarity: Same as capillary action, the movement of a liquid upwards inside a narrow tube or through the soil. Understanding capillarity helps farmers manage soil moisture levels and optimize irrigation practices.

The process of selling calves for various purposes, including breeding, meat production, and replacement stock. Calf marketing strategies depend on market demand and production goals. For instance, selling high-quality replacement heifers to other dairy farms.

maize: a tall cereal crop grown in warm climates, that carries its grains on a large solid core (cob) of which there are only one or two per plant. Maize is grown for making silage, or for harvesting as ripened grain; some is grazed or cut as a forage crop, while a small proportion is sold for human consumption as ‘corn on the cob’. Maize needs rich deep well-drained soils and ideally a frost-free growing season with a lot of sunshine before harvest. Understanding the cultivation requirements and uses of maize can help farmers maximize their crop yield and profitability.

grain spear: A grain spear measures the temperature and moisture of stored grain. Using grain spears ensures optimal storage conditions, preventing spoilage and maintaining grain quality.

environmental set-aside: A scheme of suspending cultivation of food crops for a period with clearly defined environmental aims and designed appropriately for local conditions. Understanding environmental set-aside helps farmers adopt practices that protect sensitive environments and improve sustainability.

dead stock: A comprehensive term for all implements, tools, appliances, and machines used on a farm. It can also include seed, fertilizer, and feeding stuffs. Managing dead stock effectively involves regular maintenance, proper storage, and inventory management. Farmers should keep detailed records of their equipment and supplies to ensure they are in good working condition and available when needed. This practice can help reduce downtime and improve farm efficiency.