Month: January 2018

Seed Drill

 April Kingsman  January 20, 2018  2 Comments on Seed Drill

seed drill: A machine consisting of a hopper carried on wheels with a feed mechanism which delivers grain to seed tubes. Most seed drills are designed to plant seed in prepared seed beds. Drills for cereals and grasses sow the seed at random, while precision drills, used mainly for sugar beet and vegetable crops, place seed at preset intervals in the rows. Precision drills are also called ‘seeder units’. Farmers benefit from using seed drills for efficient and precise planting.

Lupin

 April Kingsman  January 20, 2018  0 Comments on Lupin

Lupin: Lupin is a leguminous plant (Lupinus polyphyllus) grown as a crop for protein and seed oil. Lupins were originally grown in the UK as green manure on acid sandy soils, and for some sheep folding. They are now grown for grain production. The seeds of lupin contain 30–40% protein and 10–12% edible oil. The white lupin is an early-ripening sweet type but is difficult to harvest and must be combined carefully. Growing lupins can provide farmers with a nutritious and marketable crop for animal feed and oil production.

Herbivore

 April Kingsman  January 19, 2018  0 Comments on Herbivore

herbivore: An animal that feeds only on plants. Managing herbivores in a farm setting ensures balanced diets and healthy growth for livestock.

Early Bite

 April Kingsman  January 18, 2018  0 Comments on Early Bite

early bite: Grazing in the spring provided by new growths of grass which sprout when the weather gets warmer. Early bite can help farmers optimize grazing schedules and improve livestock health.

ICCO

 April Kingsman  January 16, 2018  0 Comments on ICCO

ICCO: International Cocoa Organization – an international organization set up to stabilize the international market in cocoa by holding buffer stocks to offset seasonal differences in production quantities. Supports cocoa farmers’ livelihoods.

Countryside Stewardship Scheme

 April Kingsman  January 16, 2018  1 Comment on Countryside Stewardship Scheme

Countryside Stewardship Scheme: Countryside Stewardship Scheme noun formerly in England and Wales, a system of payments made to landowners and farmers who alter their farming practices to benefit the natural environment and maintain biodiversity (NOTE: The Countryside Stewardship Scheme has now been superseded by the Environmental Stewardship scheme). ‘The Defra-funded Countryside Stewardship and Environmentally Sensitive Areas schemes help to maintain and enhance the biodiversity and landscape value of farmed land, protect historic features, and promote public access. (Delivering the evidence. Defra’s Science and Innovation Strategy, 2003–06)’. Engaging in the Countryside Stewardship Scheme supports biodiversity and sustainable agriculture.

Productivity

 April Kingsman  January 13, 2018  0 Comments on Productivity

productivity: The rate at which something is produced. Helpful content: Measuring and improving productivity is crucial for farm management. Farmers can use productivity metrics to evaluate performance, identify areas for improvement, and implement strategies to enhance efficiency.

Ploughshare

 April Kingsman  January 12, 2018  0 Comments on Ploughshare

ploughshare: A heavy metal blade of a plough, which cuts the bottom of the furrow. Helpful content: Maintaining sharp and properly aligned ploughshares ensures efficient soil cutting and turning. This leads to better seedbed preparation and improved crop establishment.

Larval

 April Kingsman  January 11, 2018  1 Comment on Larval

Larval: Larval refers to the stage of an insect or other animal before it becomes an adult. Proper pest control during the larval stage can prevent crop damage.

Desertification

 April Kingsman  January 10, 2018  0 Comments on Desertification

desertification: The process by which fertile land becomes desert as a result of various factors, including drought, deforestation, and inappropriate agriculture. Preventing desertification is crucial for maintaining productive farmland.