Author: April Kingsman

Roman: A breed of white goose, now quite rare. Raising Roman geese helps farmers preserve rare breeds and diversify farm produce.

algicide: A substance used to kill algae. Using algicides helps farmers manage algae growth in water sources and maintain water quality for irrigation and livestock.

Lima Bean: Lima bean is the same as butter bean. Growing lima beans can provide farmers with a nutritious and marketable crop.

dry matter intake: The amount of feed that an animal consumes or requires, discounting its water content. Abbr DMI. Understanding dry matter intake helps farmers ensure their animals receive the necessary nutrients for growth and production.

parsley piert: A common weed (Aphanes arvensis) affecting winter cereals. Also called lamb’s foot. Effective weed management ensures healthy crop growth and higher yields.

optimum: Referring to the point at which the condition or amount of something is the best. Understanding optimum conditions for crop and livestock production can enhance yields and quality. Farmers can benefit from precise management of environmental factors, inputs, and practices to achieve optimal results.

A method of tagging livestock using electronic devices such as RFID (radio-frequency identification) tags. EID allows for automated data collection and tracking. For instance, using EID tags to monitor cattle movements and health status.

Cauliflower: A plant of the cabbage family with a large white head made up of a mass of curds. Growing cauliflowers provides nutritious food and valuable produce for fresh markets and processing, contributing to farm income.

drift: To float in the air onto areas that are not to be sprayed. Drift can lead to unintended exposure of crops or areas to pesticides or fertilizers, which can be harmful. Farmers should use techniques to minimize drift, such as proper nozzle selection and application methods.

Fertility: 1. The state of being fertile. 2. The proportion of eggs which develop into young. 3. A measure of the ability of a female to conceive and produce young or of the male to fertilise the female. Managing fertility is crucial for successful breeding and high productivity.