Author: April Kingsman

RIW: Abbreviation for Rural Inspectorate Wales. RIW supports farmers by ensuring compliance with agricultural regulations and promoting best practices in farming.

bore: To drill a hole, often for water. Proper bore management ensures water availability and sustainability on the farm.

moisture holding capacity: the amount of water that a soil can hold. Abbr MHC. Understanding moisture holding capacity can help farmers manage soil and crop health more effectively, ensuring better productivity and sustainability.

pigging: Producing pigs. Efficient pigging practices improve productivity and meet market demands for pork products.

The decline in soil quality and productivity due to erosion, compaction, contamination, and other factors. Soil degradation can result from unsustainable farming practices and environmental pressures. For example, implementing conservation practices to prevent soil degradation and support sustainable agriculture.

ACR: Automatic cluster removal. Using ACR systems can improve milking efficiency and udder health in dairy operations.

Fixation: The act of fixing something. Nitrogen fixation. Understanding nitrogen fixation helps farmers manage soil fertility and improve crop growth.

Famine: A period of severe food shortage. Knowledge of famine conditions helps farmers plan for food security and manage resources effectively.

ovum: A female egg cell which, when fertilised by a spermatozoon, begins to develop into an embryo. Managing ova is crucial for optimizing breeding programs and reproductive efficiency in livestock. Farmers can benefit from understanding reproductive biology and implementing best practices in breeding management to enhance productivity.

vining: The harvesting of peas for processing. Efficient vining can improve pea quality and farm profitability.