Author: April Kingsman

Clarts: Dung attached to the fleece of sheep. Managing clarts involves maintaining good hygiene practices to ensure the health and quality of sheep fleece.

smoke: to preserve food by hanging it in the smoke from a fire. (NOTE: Smoking is used mainly for fish, but also for some bacon and cheese.) Using traditional smoking methods preserves food quality and extends shelf life, providing value-added products for farmers.

duty of care: A duty that every citizen and organization has not to act negligently, especially the system for the safe handling of waste, introduced by the UK Environmental Protection Act 1990. Farmers have a duty of care to manage waste responsibly and protect the environment.

mycotoxin: a toxin produced by a fungus. Understanding and managing mycotoxins can help farmers protect their crops and livestock, ensuring better health and productivity.

A specialized area on a dairy farm where cows are brought for milking. Milking parlors are designed for efficient and hygienic milking. For instance, operating a milking parlor with modern equipment to ensure high milk quality and cow comfort.

white corpuscle: A blood cell which does not contain hemoglobin. Understanding livestock biology, including white corpuscles, can help in managing animal health effectively.

rural development: A program of activities undertaken to ensure that rural areas remain economically and socially sustainable. Promoting rural development supports agricultural growth and improves rural livelihoods.

herdsman: Someone who looks after a herd of animals. Skilled herdsmen are essential for maintaining the health and productivity of livestock.

perennial agriculture: A system of agriculture in regions where there is no winter and several crops can be grown on the same land each year. Using perennial agriculture systems improves land use efficiency and provides continuous crop production.

Veterinary Laboratories Agency: An executive agency of Defra which diagnoses, tracks, and researches disease in animals. The VLA’s work is crucial for managing animal health and preventing disease outbreaks.