Author: April Kingsman

Fowl Pest: A viral disease of chickens. Proper monitoring and control measures are essential to prevent the spread of fowl pest and maintain poultry health.

ecosphere: The part of the Earth and its atmosphere where living organisms exist, including parts of the lithosphere, the hydrosphere, and the atmosphere. Also called biosphere. Knowledge of the ecosphere helps farmers adopt practices that protect and sustain the environment.

soil moisture deficit: the difference between the amount of water that is in a soil and the amount needed for crops to grow successfully. Abbr SMD. Monitoring soil moisture deficits helps farmers optimize irrigation practices, ensuring crops receive adequate water without overuse.

sweet potato: a starchy root crop grown in tropical and subtropical regions. COMMENT: The sweet potato is valuable as famine food in parts of Africa and South America. The main producing countries are Indonesia, Vietnam, and Japan. In the Southern USA, the tubers are called ‘yams’. The plant has no connection with the ordinary potato. Properly managing sweet potato crops ensures healthy growth and high yields, supporting farm productivity and profitability.

strake: an attachment bolted onto the rear wheels of a tractor to improve wheel grip. The strake has spikes which can be extended beyond the tyre and which dig into the soil. Using strakes ensures efficient tractor operation and soil preparation, supporting productive agriculture.

seed certification: The testing, sealing and labelling of seed sold to farmers. This ensures that the seed is free from disease and from weeds. Farmers benefit from seed certification to ensure high-quality and disease-free seeds for planting.

pod up: To begin to develop pods. Helpful content: Monitoring the podding stage of crops like beans and peas is crucial for timely harvesting. Farmers can optimize yields and quality by tracking this developmental stage and adjusting management practices accordingly.

hay seed: Grass seed obtained from hay. Utilizing hay seed can help farmers establish new pastures and improve soil quality.

Cochin: Cochin /k?t?in/ noun a breed of domestic fowl originating in China. Raising Cochins provides valuable poultry products and contributes to farm diversity.

export refunds: Refunds made by the EU to farmers to compensate for a lower export price for produce. Accessing export refunds helps farmers manage financial stability and market fluctuations.