Month: January 2014

The process of decomposing organic dairy waste into nutrient-rich compost for use in agriculture. For example, composting dairy manure to create a valuable soil amendment and reduce waste.

bust: Referring to the chest area, also a term for a failure or collapse. Ensuring livestock health includes managing bust areas and preventing farm busts through effective practices.

Fallow Crop: A crop grown in widely spaced rows, allowing for hoeing and cultivation between the rows. This practice helps manage soil health and weed control.

dry-stone wall: A wall made of stones carefully placed one on top of the other without using any mortar. Dry-stone walls are traditional structures that provide boundaries and shelter on farms and require regular maintenance to remain effective.

transgenic: Referring to an organism into which genetic material from a different species has been transferred using the techniques of genetic modification. Referring to the techniques of transferring genetic material from one organism to another. An organism produced by genetic modification. Understanding transgenic techniques can help farmers adopt new technologies for improved production.

scouring: Diarrhoea in livestock. It may be a symptom of other diseases such as Johne’s disease, dysentery or coccidiosis, or it may simply be due to a chill or to poor diet. Farmers benefit from managing scouring to ensure livestock health and productivity.

Cobalt 52: Mixture of clay, gravel, and straw used as a building material. This traditional method supports sustainable construction practices on farms.

Common Agricultural Policy: Common Agricultural Policy noun a set of regulations and mechanisms agreed between members of the European Union to control the supply, marketing, and pricing of farm produce. Abbr CAP. COMMENT: The European Union has set up a common system of agricultural price supports and grants. The system attempts to encourage stable market conditions for agricultural produce, to ensure a fair return for farmers and reasonable market prices for the consumer, and finally to increase yields and productivity on farms in the Union. A system of common prices for the main farm products has been established with intervention buying as the main means of market support. The first major reforms in 30 years were carried out in 1992 and included arable set-aside, suckler cow quotas, ewe quotas, price reductions on oilseeds, peas, beans, cereals, and beet. The second major CAP reform was in 2003 with the introduction of the Single Farm Payment Scheme (SFPS), which brought together individual subsidy schemes into a single payment calculated on the land area used. Understanding the Common Agricultural Policy helps farmers navigate subsidies and market regulations.

Home Grown Cereals Authority: Full form of HGCA. Engaging with HGCA can provide farmers with valuable support and resources for cereal production.

Crumbly: Crumbly /kr?mbli/ adjective referring to something which falls apart into particles a crumbly soil. Managing crumbly soil involves using soil management practices to enhance soil structure and health.