Category: A

agistment: Money paid for grazing stock on land owned by another person. Understanding agistment can help farmers manage grazing resources and livestock efficiently.

almond oil: An oil from almond seed used for toilet preparations and for flavoring. Producing almond oil provides farmers with additional income streams and product diversification.

accumulated temperature: The number of hours during which the temperature is above a particular point, taken as the minimum temperature necessary for growing a specific crop. Farmers use accumulated temperature data to optimize planting and harvesting schedules for better crop yields.

afforest: To plant an area with trees. Afforestation can improve soil health and provide additional income streams for farmers through timber production.

actinomycete: A bacterium shaped like a rod or filament. Order: Actinomycetales. Some actinomycetes cause diseases while others are sources of antibiotics. Farmers benefit from understanding actinomycetes to manage soil health and crop diseases.

agriculturalist: A person trained in applying the principles of science to farming. Farmers benefit from the expertise of agriculturalists to enhance their practices and productivity.

ADAS: A commercial research-based organization that offers technical advice on agricultural, food, and environmental matters to rural industries. Former name Agricultural Development and Advisory Service. Farmers can benefit from ADAS expertise to improve their farming practices.

allotment: A small area of land, owned by a municipality, which is let to a person called an allotment-holder for the cultivation and production of vegetables and fruit for the consumption of the holder and his or her family. Allotments provide farmers with additional land for cultivation and income.

aflatoxin: A toxin produced by species of the fungus Aspergillus, especially Aspergillus flavus, which grows on seeds and nuts and affects stored grain. Farmers need to manage aflatoxin contamination to ensure the safety and quality of their produce.

agricultural engineering: The application of the principles of science to farming. Understanding agricultural engineering helps farmers adopt technologies and practices that enhance productivity and sustainability.