Category: E

epizootic disease: A disease which spreads to large numbers of animals over a large area. Compare enzootic disease. Managing epizootic diseases helps farmers protect animal health and prevent the spread of infections.

ethnobotany: The study of the way plants are used by humans. Understanding ethnobotany helps farmers explore traditional uses of plants and diversify crop production.

established: Living or growing successfully. Established crops and livestock ensure stable and productive farm operations.

epidermis: An outer layer of cells of a plant or animal. Understanding epidermis structure helps farmers manage crop health and protect against pests and diseases.

environmental protection: The activity of protecting the environment by regulating the discharge of waste, the emission of pollutants, and other human activities. Also called environment protection. Understanding environmental protection helps farmers adopt practices that minimize harm to the natural world.

environmental directive: An EU policy statement on the appropriate ways of dealing with a specific environmental issue. Understanding environmental directives helps farmers comply with regulations and adopt sustainable practices.

enzyme: A protein substance produced by living cells which promotes a biochemical reaction in living organisms. (NOTE: The names of enzymes mostly end with the suffix -ase.) Understanding enzymes helps farmers manage livestock nutrition and health.

estimated transmitting ability: The value of an animal, calculated using an estimate of how many offspring it will have and how much genetic material it will transfer to each one. It is equal to half the animal’s estimated breeding value. Abbr ETA. Understanding ETA helps farmers make informed breeding decisions.

essential fatty acid: An unsaturated fatty acid essential for growth but which cannot be synthesized by the body and has to be obtained from the food supply. Abbr EFA. (NOTE: The two essential fatty acids are linoleic acid and linolenic acid.) Understanding essential fatty acids helps farmers formulate balanced diets for their livestock.

element: A chemical substance that cannot be broken down to a simpler substance. Understanding elements is essential for farmers to manage soil health and nutrient availability.