Category: N

nurse cow: a cow used to suckle the calves of others. Nurse cows play a vital role in raising orphaned or multiple calves, ensuring they receive adequate nutrition and care. Farmers can benefit from using nurse cows to support calf growth and development, reducing the need for artificial feeding. Proper management of nurse cows helps improve calf health, reduce labor costs, and enhance overall farm productivity. Understanding the care and management of nurse cows supports effective livestock rearing practices.

New Hampshire Red: a breed of poultry with red plumage, lighter in weight than Rhode Island Red. New Hampshire Reds are mainly kept as layers, producing brownish-tinted eggs. New Hampshire Red chickens are valued for their egg-laying abilities and adaptability to various farming conditions. Farmers can benefit from raising this breed to diversify their poultry operations, ensuring a steady supply of high-quality eggs. Understanding the breed’s characteristics and management needs helps optimize production, improve animal welfare, and enhance farm profitability.

new wood: growth made during the current year. Managing new wood growth in orchards and vineyards is essential for maintaining plant health and productivity. Farmers can benefit from regular pruning practices that encourage healthy new wood development, improve air circulation, and enhance fruit quality. Proper management of new wood supports vigorous growth, higher yields, and better crop quality, contributing to the overall success of the farming operation.

nutrient management: the practice of applying fertilizers and other soil amendments in the correct amounts and at the correct time to optimize plant growth while minimizing environmental impact. Effective nutrient management is crucial for maintaining soil fertility, optimizing crop yields, and reducing environmental impact. Farmers can benefit from implementing nutrient management plans that include regular soil testing, balanced fertilization, and precision application techniques. Understanding crop nutrient requirements and timing ensures efficient nutrient use, enhances productivity, and promotes sustainable farming practices. Adopting nutrient management strategies supports long-term soil health and farm profitability.

natural environment: 1. same as natural habitat 2. the part of the Earth that has not been built or formed by humans. Compare built environment. The natural environment provides essential ecosystem services such as pollination, water purification, and nutrient cycling that support agricultural productivity. Farmers can benefit from preserving and enhancing natural habitats on their land, promoting biodiversity and ecological balance. By integrating natural areas into their farming systems, farmers can improve resilience to environmental stressors, enhance soil health, and ensure long-term sustainability.

nomadism: a habit of some animals that move from place to place without having a fixed range. Nomadism in livestock can be managed through rotational grazing practices that mimic natural movement patterns. Farmers can benefit from understanding and implementing nomadic grazing systems to enhance pasture health, reduce soil erosion, and improve forage quality. This approach supports sustainable land management, promotes healthy livestock, and increases overall farm productivity and resilience.

noseband: a broad leather band worn around the horse’s nose and above the bit, used to prevent a horse from opening its mouth too wide. Using nosebands correctly helps manage horse behavior, ensuring effective communication and control during riding and training. Farmers can benefit from understanding the appropriate use and fit of nosebands to enhance horse performance and welfare. Proper noseband management supports humane training practices, reduces stress and discomfort for horses, and improves overall farm productivity and animal welfare.

navy bean: a dried seed of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), used in particular for canning as baked beans. Also called haricot bean. Navy beans are a nutritious crop that can provide farmers with a valuable source of income. They are well-suited for canning and other food processing, offering market opportunities both locally and internationally. Growing navy beans can enhance crop diversity, improve soil health through nitrogen fixation, and contribute to food security. Farmers can benefit from understanding market demands and adopting best practices for navy bean cultivation.

nitrify: verb to convert nitrogen or nitrogen compounds into nitrates. Nitrification is essential for making nitrogen available to plants. Farmers can benefit from understanding the factors that influence nitrification, such as soil pH, temperature, and moisture. Implementing practices that support nitrification, like maintaining balanced soil conditions and avoiding compaction, ensures optimal nitrogen availability for crops. This leads to improved plant health, higher yields, and sustainable farming practices.

nectar: a sweet sugary liquid produced by flowers, which attracts birds or insects which pollinate the flowers. Nectar is crucial for attracting pollinators like bees, which play a vital role in the pollination of many crops. Farmers can benefit from encouraging the presence of nectar-producing plants on their farms to support pollinator populations. This enhances pollination efficiency, leading to higher fruit and seed set, improved crop yields, and better quality produce. Supporting pollinators also promotes biodiversity and ecological health, contributing to sustainable farming practices.