Category: E

elevator digger: A machine for harvesting crops such as potatoes, which can be adapted to harvest carrots, onions, or flower bulbs. Using elevator diggers helps farmers streamline the harvesting process and reduce labor costs.

exhausted fallow: Fallow land which is no longer fertile. Managing exhausted fallow helps farmers restore soil health and productivity.

early bite: Grazing in the spring provided by new growths of grass which sprout when the weather gets warmer. Early bite can help farmers optimize grazing schedules and improve livestock health.

extract: 1. To take something out of somewhere. Vanilla essence is extracted from an orchid. 2. To produce a substance from another. Coconut oil is extracted from copra. Understanding extraction processes helps farmers produce value-added products and increase income.

eye: 1. A growth bud which has not developed, e.g., the bud of a potato tuber which develops shoots when the tuber is planted. 2. The instinctive action of a sheepdog when working sheep. Understanding growth buds helps farmers manage crop health and productivity.

eucalyptus: An Australian hardwood tree (Eucalyptus spp.) with strong-smelling resin. The trees are quick-growing and often used for afforestation but are susceptible to fire. Growing eucalyptus can provide farmers with a fast-growing timber source.

enterovirus: A virus which prefers to live in the intestine. Understanding enteroviruses helps farmers implement effective biosecurity measures and prevent disease outbreaks.

emission: A substance discharged into the air by an internal combustion engine or other device. Exhaust emissions contain pollutants. Gas emissions can cause acid rain. Managing emissions helps farmers reduce environmental impact and comply with regulations.

ecological factors: Factors which influence the distribution of a plant species in a habitat. Knowledge of ecological factors helps farmers manage crops and land use effectively.

European Union: An alliance of 25 European countries, originally established with six members in 1957 by the Treaty of Rome. Among its powers are those for environmental and agricultural policy in its member states. Abbr EU. (NOTE: Formerly called the European Community or European Economic Community.) Understanding EU policies helps farmers comply with regulations and access funding opportunities.