Author: April Kingsman

sedentary agriculture: Subsistence agriculture practised in the same place by a settled farmer. Farmers benefit from understanding sedentary agriculture to ensure sustainable land use and productivity.

Cutworm: Cutworm /k?tw?:m/ noun a caterpillar of the turnip moth and the garden dart moth, which attacks plants such as turnips, swedes, and potatoes by eating their roots and stems. Managing cutworms involves using integrated pest management strategies to protect crops.

synthetic additive: a substance added to food, especially animal feed, in order to improve it. Understanding and using synthetic additives effectively supports livestock nutrition and health, enhancing farm productivity.

silage: Food for cattle formed of grass and other green plants, cut and stored in silos. Silage is made by fermenting a crop with a high moisture content under anaerobic conditions. It may be made from a variety of crops, the most common being grass and maize, although grass and clover mixtures, green cereals, kale, root tops, sugar beet pulp and potatoes can also be used. Trials indicate that very high-quality grass silage can be fed to adult pigs. Farmers benefit from producing silage for high-quality livestock feed and efficient forage management.

The cultivation of cotton plants for their fiber, used in textile production. Cotton farming includes planting, managing pests, and harvesting cotton bolls. For example, a cotton farm might supply raw cotton to textile mills.

genomic: Relating to a genome. Genomic research aids in understanding the genetic basis of traits and diseases, enabling farmers to make informed decisions about breeding and management practices.

terra rossa: A red soil that develops over limestone, found in Spain, Southern France, and Southern Italy. Knowing about terra rossa can help farmers select appropriate crops and manage soil health in these regions.

monocropping: the practice of growing one type of crop on the same piece of land at the same time. Compare mixed cropping. Understanding monocropping can help farmers manage crop production more effectively, ensuring better productivity and sustainability.

Land Agent: A land agent is a person employed to run a farm or an estate on behalf of the owner. Land agents can provide expertise in managing farm operations, improving efficiency and profitability.

wood ash: Wood ash is the ash from burnt wood, a source of potash. Farmers can use wood ash as a natural fertilizer to improve soil fertility and crop yields.