Author: April Kingsman

Vegetable and Specialty Crops Program (VSCP):

rig: A male animal in which one or both testicles have not descended into the scrotum at the usual time. Managing rigs is important for livestock breeding programs and animal health.

Common: Common adjective belonging to several different people or to everyone common land noun an area of land to which the public has access for walking COMMENT: About 80% of common land is privately owned and, subject to the interests of any commoners, owners enjoy essentially the same rights as the owners of other land. Commoners have different types of ‘rights of common’, e.g. to graze animals, or to extract sand, gravel, or peat. Managing common land involves balancing public access with sustainable land use practices.

Farmscape: A landscape dominated by agriculture. Farmland is the main element in farmscape, though non-agricultural uses may be included. Creating a balanced farmscape supports both productivity and environmental health.

The hard fat found around the kidneys and loins of cattle, often used in cooking and baking. For example, producing beef suet for making traditional puddings and pastries.

ICRISAT: International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics – an organization established in 1972 at Hyderabad, India. Farmers benefit from research on crops suited to semi-arid conditions.

Chats: Small potatoes separated from larger potatoes during grading. Managing potato by-products like chats involves using them for feed or processing to reduce waste and maximize farm resources.

Institute for Animal Health: A major center for research into infectious diseases in livestock. Abbr IAH. Helps farmers stay informed about and manage livestock health issues.

inwintering: The practice of housing cattle and sheep during the winter months rather than keeping them outdoors. Helps farmers manage livestock housing and health during winter.

The various substances that make up milk, including water, fat, protein, lactose, and minerals. Milk components are important for nutritional value and dairy product processing. For example, analyzing milk components to ensure it meets industry standards and consumer preferences.