Month: November 2021

Fructose: Fruit sugar found in honey as well as in fruit. Properly managing fructose levels supports plant health and crop quality.

burial: The act of burying something, such as waste or dead animals. Proper burial practices ensure farm hygiene and prevent environmental contamination.

isohyet: A line on a map linking points of equal rainfall. Helps farmers understand precipitation patterns.

allogamy: Fertilization by pollen from different flowers or from flowers of genetically different plants of the same species. Understanding allogamy helps farmers manage pollination and improve crop yields.

natural insecticide: an insecticide produced from plant extracts. Natural insecticides offer a sustainable alternative to synthetic chemicals, helping farmers manage pests without harming beneficial insects or the environment. By using natural insecticides, farmers can reduce chemical residues on crops, improve soil health, and support biodiversity. This approach aligns with organic farming practices and can attract consumers who prefer naturally grown produce, enhancing marketability and farm profitability.

Compositae: Compositae /k?m pozitai/ plural noun former name for Asteraceae. Understanding plant families like Compositae aids in crop classification and management.

pericarp: The part of a fruit that encloses the seed or seeds. Understanding fruit anatomy aids in improving breeding programs and crop quality.

Rhode Island Red: A heavy breed of fowl, with red feathers on the body, and black tail and wing feathers. It produces large brown eggs. Raising Rhode Island Reds provides farmers with a reliable source of high-quality eggs and meat.

nicotine: a harmful substance in tobacco. It is used as an insecticide. Understanding the use and risks of nicotine as an insecticide helps farmers make informed decisions about pest control. While effective, nicotine-based insecticides must be used responsibly to minimize environmental and health impacts. Farmers can benefit from exploring alternative pest management strategies that reduce reliance on harmful chemicals, promoting safer and more sustainable farming practices.

milk fever: a disease of milk cows, milk goats and ewes. Technical name hypocalcaemia. In spite of its name, the disease is not a fever, and may affect a dairy cow just before calving or during the seven days which follow calving. The first symptoms are restlessness, moving the hind feet up and down while standing; these symptoms are followed by loss of balance and later loss of consciousness. The disease is common at the third, fourth or fifth time of calving, and is caused by a metabolic disturbance or imbalance in the system, due to a low calcium content in the blood. The disease is treated by injections of calcium borogluconate. Managing and preventing milk fever is crucial for maintaining the health and productivity of dairy animals, ensuring better milk yield and quality.