Month: September 2021

Cultivable Acreage: Cultivable acreage /k?lt?v?b(?)l e?k?r??/ noun the number of acres on which crops can be grown. Understanding cultivable acreage aids in managing land use and crop production.

International Livestock Centre for Africa: An organization established in 1974 at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Abbr ILCA. Provides research and resources for livestock farmers in Africa.

The market price of milk, influenced by supply and demand, production costs, and regulatory factors. Milk price affects dairy farm profitability. For example, monitoring milk price trends to plan production and marketing strategies.

Belted Galloway: A breed of beef cattle with a distinctive white belt around the body. Raising Belted Galloways provides high-quality beef and unique breed characteristics for marketing.

hand: A measure used to show the height of a horse. One hand is 10.16cm, and the measurement is taken from the ground to the withers of the horse. Understanding measurements like ‘hand’ helps farmers and breeders accurately describe and assess horse height.

saprophyte: An organism that lives and feeds on dead or decaying organic matter, e.g. a fungus. Farmers benefit from saprophytes for natural decomposition and nutrient cycling in soil management.

bone: Referring to the skeletal structure of animals. Ensuring the health of livestock bones is crucial for overall animal health and productivity.

Craving: Craving noun a strong desire for something, e.g. a craving for salt. Understanding cravings aids in managing livestock nutrition and health.

nectar: a sweet sugary liquid produced by flowers, which attracts birds or insects which pollinate the flowers. Nectar is crucial for attracting pollinators like bees, which play a vital role in the pollination of many crops. Farmers can benefit from encouraging the presence of nectar-producing plants on their farms to support pollinator populations. This enhances pollination efficiency, leading to higher fruit and seed set, improved crop yields, and better quality produce. Supporting pollinators also promotes biodiversity and ecological health, contributing to sustainable farming practices.

Chemistry: The study of substances, elements, and compounds and their reactions with each other. Understanding chemistry principles aids farmers in managing inputs and processes for optimal farm operations.