Month: May 2014

tack: Harness equipment. On tack refers to grazing livestock on another farmer’s fields. Managing tack and grazing agreements can optimize pasture use and animal health.

alluvial: Referring to alluvium. Understanding alluvial soils helps farmers manage soil fertility and crop production in riverine areas.

Ribes: The Latin name for blackcurrant. Understanding plant taxonomy helps farmers communicate effectively about specific crops and improve management practices.

Cypress: Cypress /sa?pr?s/ noun a tree (Cupressus sempervirens) of the Mediterranean region, the wood of which is used for furniture. Cultivating cypress trees provides valuable timber resources.

rake: An implement with a handle, a crossbar with several prongs, used for pulling hay together or for smoothing loose soil to form a seedbed. Rakes help farmers manage hay and prepare seedbeds efficiently.

parasiticide: A substance that kills parasites. Using parasiticides helps maintain the health and productivity of crops and livestock.

guaranteed prices: Guaranteed prices are a feature of national agricultural policy where producers are guaranteed a minimum price for their produce. Understanding guaranteed prices helps farmers plan production and ensure economic stability.

elder: A small tree (Sambucus nigra) with little black berries used to make wine. Growing elder can provide farmers with additional income from berry and wine production.

Coppice: Coppice /k?pis/ noun an area of trees which have been cut down to near the ground to allow shoots to grow which are then harvested. The shoots may be used as fuel or for making products such as baskets or fencing. verb to cut trees down to near the ground to produce strong straight shoots Coppiced wood can be dried for use in wood-burning stoves. Compare pollard COMMENT: The best trees for coppicing are those which naturally send up several tall straight stems from a bole, such as hazel and sweet chestnut. In coppice management, the normal cycle is about five to ten years of growth, after which the stems are cut back. Thick stems are dried and used as fuel, or for making charcoal. Thin stems are used for fencing. Cash aid under the set-aside scheme could be used for short-rotation energy coppicing. Implementing coppicing practices provides sustainable wood production and enhances forest management.

Contamination: Contamination /k?ntmin ei?(?)n/ noun 1. the action of making something impure the contamination of the water supply by runoff from the fields 2. The state of something such as water or food which has been contaminated and so is harmful to living organisms The level of contamination is dropping. Preventing contamination ensures product safety and protects consumer health.