Author: April Kingsman

Norfolk horn: a rare breed of sheep adapted to dry heathland. Black-faced and horned. The Norfolk Horn breed is valued for its hardiness and adaptability to challenging environments. Farmers can benefit from raising this rare breed to enhance genetic diversity, improve resilience to local conditions, and tap into niche markets for heritage breeds. Understanding the specific care and management needs of Norfolk Horn sheep supports successful breeding and production, contributing to sustainable livestock farming.

ejector: A mechanism at the back of a farmyard manure spreader, which throws out the manure over a wide area. Understanding how ejectors work helps farmers optimize manure spreading.

AI centre: A center which keeps breeding bulls, boars, and rams, and quantities of their semen for use in artificial insemination. Farmers benefit from AI centers to enhance their breeding programs.

castration: The removal of the testicles of a male animal to prevent breeding. Castration is often used to manage animal behavior and improve meat quality.

allele: One of two or more alternative forms of a gene, situated in the same area (locus) on paired chromosomes and controlling the inheritance of the same characteristic. Understanding alleles helps farmers with breeding programs and genetic improvement of livestock and crops.

Laxton’s Superb: Laxton’s Superb is a variety of dessert apple formerly grown commercially in the UK. Growing heritage apple varieties like Laxton’s Superb can attract niche markets and enhance farm diversity.

MPLS: same as milk progesterone level test. Understanding the techniques and applications of MPLS can help farmers improve their breeding programs and livestock health.

shin: 1. The lower part of the foreleg of cattle 2. The upper part of a ploughshare. Farmers benefit from understanding shin anatomy for effective livestock management and care.

dunes: An area of sand blown by the wind into small hills and ridges, which may have plants growing on them. Managing dunes involves preventing soil erosion and promoting the growth of vegetation to stabilize the sand.

Dutch elm disease: A fungal disease that kills elm trees, caused by Ceratocystis ulmi and spread by a bark beetle. Managing Dutch elm disease involves monitoring tree health, removing infected trees, and preventing the spread of the bark beetle.