Author: April Kingsman

set aside: To use a piece of formerly arable land for something other than growing food crops. Farmers benefit from setting aside land for conservation and sustainable land management.

minimal disease herd: a herd of livestock with a very low level of infectious diseases. Managing minimal disease herds can help farmers ensure better livestock health and productivity, reducing mortality rates and improving profitability.

Cluster: The four cup attachments of a milking machine attached to the teats of a cow’s udder. Using milking clusters helps farmers manage dairy operations efficiently and ensure high-quality milk production.

veterinarian: Same as veterinary surgeon. Consulting a veterinarian can ensure proper animal health care and disease management on the farm.

Cubed Concentrates: Cubed concentrates plural noun concentrates for livestock in the form of small cubes. Utilizing cubed concentrates enhances feed quality and management for livestock.

agroecosystem: A community of organisms in a crop-producing area. Managing agroecosystems helps farmers create resilient and productive agricultural environments.

Caper: A Mediterranean shrub whose flower buds are used as a flavoring. Cultivating capers provides a specialty crop for gourmet markets, diversifying farm products and income.

Beaumont period: A period of 48 hours with temperatures above 10°C and relative humidity above 75%, likely indicating potato blight. Farmers should monitor weather conditions and apply preventive treatments during Beaumont periods.

reversible plough: A plough with left- and right-handed mouldboards, which make it possible to plough up and down the same furrow. Using reversible ploughs improves soil management and reduces erosion.

kemp-free mohair: Kemp-free mohair – mohair which does not have any kemp. Helps farmers produce high-quality mohair.