Author: April Kingsman

shear: To clip the fleece from a sheep. Farmers benefit from shearing sheep to produce high-quality wool for the market.

sessile: Attached directly to a branch or stem without a stalk. The acorns of a sessile oak tree have no stalks or very short stalks. Farmers benefit from understanding sessile plant structures for better crop management and growth.

Flat Rate Feeding: A system of feeding concentrates to dairy cows, involving few changes to the level of concentrate input from calving to turnout. Implementing flat rate feeding can simplify feed management and ensure consistent nutrition for dairy cows.

advanced register: A book which records breeding performance of outstanding livestock. Keeping an advanced register helps farmers track and improve their breeding programs.

The methods used to transfer fertilized embryos from donor to recipient animals, allowing for genetic improvement and controlled breeding. For example, using embryo transfer techniques to enhance herd genetics and increase productivity.

Tull, Jethro: (1674–1740) An 18th-century gentleman farmer. He invented the mechanical seed drill and the horse-drawn hoe. Understanding historical figures like Jethro Tull can provide insights into the development of modern agricultural practices.

Leaseback: Leaseback is an arrangement where property is sold and then taken back by the former owner on a lease. Leaseback arrangements can provide farmers with liquidity while retaining use of essential assets.

stomach digestion: the part of the digestive process which takes place in the animal’s stomach. Properly managing stomach digestion ensures optimal nutrition and health in livestock, supporting productivity and well-being.

intermuscular: Referring to something which is between muscles. Helps farmers understand animal anatomy and meat quality.

A large refrigerated storage tank used to hold and cool milk on dairy farms before it is transported for processing. Bulk tanks are essential for maintaining milk quality. For example, storing milk in bulk tanks to keep it fresh until it is collected by milk tankers.