Category: L

Leader-Follower System: The leader-follower system is a system of grazing where priority is given to a group of animals (the leaders) and the crop is later grazed by a second group of animals (the followers). So first-year heifers might be followed by second-year heifers. Implementing the leader-follower system can optimize pasture use and improve livestock health.

Lagoon: A lagoon is a pool of water or other liquid. Slurry can be stored in lagoons. Proper management of lagoons can help farmers handle waste products efficiently and prevent environmental contamination.

Lambing Pen: A lambing pen is a pen in which a ewe is kept when giving birth to lambs. Using lambing pens can provide a safe and controlled environment for ewes during lambing, improving outcomes for both mothers and offspring.

Leaf Spot: Leaf spot is a fungal disease of brassicas, where the leaves develop brown and black patches. Managing leaf spot through disease prevention and control measures can protect brassica crops and improve yields.

Low-Input Farming: Low-input farming or lower input farming is a system of farming based on restricted use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. Implementing low-input farming practices can support sustainable agriculture and reduce environmental impact.

Lifting Unit: A lifting unit is a pair of wheels or a triangular-shaped share, used on a harvester to lift the roots and pass them to the main elevator. Also called lifter. The roots are lifted by being squeezed out of the ground in between the two wheels. The distance between the two wheels or shares can be adjusted to suit the size of the crop. The wheels should be set quite close together at the bottom when harvesting small roots. The wheels run at an angle to each other so that their rims lie close together when in the soil and farther apart at the top. Using lifting units can enhance the efficiency of harvesting root crops.

Lateral: A lateral is a shoot which branches off from the leader or main branch of a tree or shrub. Managing lateral growth helps farmers optimize fruit and nut tree productivity.

Land Drainage: Land drainage is the process of removing surplus water from land. If surplus water is prevented from moving through the soil and subsoil, it soon fills all the pore spaces in the soil and this will kill or stunt the growing crops. Well-drained land is better aerated, and crops are less likely to be damaged by root-destroying fungi. Aerated soil also warms up more quickly in spring. Plants form deeper and more extensive root systems, grassland is firmer, and disease risk from parasites is reduced. The main methods of draining land are underground pipe drains, mole drains, and ditches. Proper land drainage improves soil health and crop yields.

Lincoln Red: Lincoln Red is a breed of cattle bred from the shorthorn. The animals are deep red in color. The breed was originally dual-purpose, but now is mainly used for crossing with dairy cows to produce beef calves. Raising Lincoln Red cattle can provide farmers with high-quality beef and enhance farm profitability.

Lysimeter: A lysimeter is a device used for measuring the rate of drainage of water through soil and the soluble particles removed in the process. Using lysimeters can aid in effective water management and soil health monitoring.