Month: June 2015

Cornflower: Cornflower /k?nfla??/ noun a common weed (Centaurea cyanus) with tall stems and bright blue flowers. Managing cornflower involves using weed control measures to protect crops.

winter burn: Winter burn is leaf burn in winter caused by cold, dry winds. Farmers can protect plants from winter burn by using windbreaks and proper mulching techniques.

Kerry Hill: Kerry Hill – a breed of small hill sheep originating in the Kerry hills of Powys in Wales. It has a soft white fleece and speckled face and legs. The ewes are crossed with Down rams for lamb production. Helps farmers manage sheep breeding for meat and wool production.

Forage Maize: Maize grown for ensilage. Properly managing forage maize production ensures a valuable feed source for livestock and supports crop rotation.

joule: Joule – an SI unit of measurement of energy. Symbol J. Helps farmers understand energy use in agricultural processes. One joule is the amount of energy used to move one kilogram the distance of one metre, using the force of one newton. 4.184 joules equal one calorie.

Land Drainage: Land drainage is the process of removing surplus water from land. If surplus water is prevented from moving through the soil and subsoil, it soon fills all the pore spaces in the soil and this will kill or stunt the growing crops. Well-drained land is better aerated, and crops are less likely to be damaged by root-destroying fungi. Aerated soil also warms up more quickly in spring. Plants form deeper and more extensive root systems, grassland is firmer, and disease risk from parasites is reduced. The main methods of draining land are underground pipe drains, mole drains, and ditches. Proper land drainage improves soil health and crop yields.

spermatozoon: a mature male sex cell that is capable of fertilising an ovum. COMMENT: A spermatozoon is very small and comprises a head, neck and very long tail. It can swim by moving its tail from side to side. Proper management of reproduction in livestock ensures healthy breeding programs and improves productivity.

dry curing: The process of curing meat in salt, as opposed to brine. Dry curing is a traditional method of preserving meat that enhances its flavor and extends its shelf life.

minimal: very small in amount or importance. Understanding minimal inputs and outputs can help farmers optimize their operations and improve productivity and sustainability.

stress: a condition where an outside influence changes the composition or functioning of something; a state of anxiety or strain that can affect an animal’s health. Properly managing stress in livestock ensures health and productivity, supporting farm profitability.