Author: April Kingsman

pathogenetic: Referring to pathogenesis. Knowledge of pathogenetic processes aids in the development of disease-resistant crop varieties and livestock breeds.

Carnivore: An animal that eats meat. Managing carnivorous pests and predators involves using appropriate control measures to protect livestock and crops.

broccoli: A green vegetable in the cabbage family. Growing broccoli provides nutritious food and valuable crops for fresh markets and processing.

Fair Trade: An international system where food companies agree to pay producers in developing countries a fair price for their products. Fair trade practices support sustainable farming, fair wages, and ethical production, benefiting small-scale farmers and promoting global equity.

mixed cropping: the practice of growing more than one type of plant on the same piece of land at the same time. Opposite monocropping. Understanding mixed cropping can help farmers optimize their crop production and improve soil health and biodiversity.

The process of improving soil structure by creating air spaces within the soil. Soil aeration enhances root growth, water infiltration, and nutrient uptake. For example, using a mechanical aerator to improve soil aeration in a compacted pasture and support healthy forage growth.

intensity: The degree to which land is used. Helps farmers optimize land use.

systemic (of a pesticide): referring to a substance absorbed into the plant through the root or leaf and moved around within the plant. Properly managing systemic pesticides ensures effective pest control and healthy crop growth, enhancing farm productivity.

stripper-header: a machine which harvests a crop such as linseed and strips off the seedheads. Using stripper-headers ensures efficient crop harvesting, reducing labor costs and enhancing productivity.

Centrifugal Sugar: A type of raw sugar containing 96% to 98% sucrose, isolated from sugar beet or cane. Understanding sugar processing helps farmers and processors produce high-quality sweeteners for the market.