Alan Nafzger, Ph.D.

Charlock

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Charlock: A widespread weed (Sinapis arvensis) mainly affecting spring cereals. Managing charlock involves using appropriate herbicides and cultural practices to protect crops and maintain healthy fields.

Clevis

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Clevis: A U-shaped iron attachment used to couple an implement to a tractor towbar. Using clevis attachments helps farmers manage equipment connections and ensure safe field operations.

Leader

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Leader: A leader is an animal which goes first, leading the flock or herd. Understanding animal behavior and leadership dynamics can improve herd management.

Lavender

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Lavender: Lavender is a shrub (Lavandula officinalis) with small lilac-colored flowers and narrow leaves, cultivated for perfume. Growing lavender can provide farmers with high-value essential oils and aromatic products.

Porcine

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porcine: Referring to pigs. Helpful content: Understanding porcine biology and management is crucial for pig farmers. Knowledge of pig health, nutrition, and behavior helps optimize production, improve animal welfare, and enhance farm profitability.

Hoose

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hoose: A popular name for a lungworm. Preventing and managing hoose ensures the respiratory health of livestock.

Slapmark

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slapmark: the herdmark allocated by Defra, put on both shoulders of a pig. Ensuring slapmarks are legible helps farmers comply with regulations and maintain accurate records for traceability and biosecurity.

Seed Rate

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seed rate: The amount of seed sown per hectare shown as kilos per hectare (kg/ha). Farmers benefit from understanding and managing seed rates for optimal crop density and yield.

Intervention Price

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intervention price: Same as support price. The intervention price is the price at which the national intervention agencies are obliged to buy up agricultural commodities offered to them. Helps farmers understand price support mechanisms.

Cattle Tattooing

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A method of marking cattle by injecting ink into the skin, usually inside the ear. Tattooing provides a permanent form of identification. For example, tattooing registration numbers on purebred cattle for breed certification and record-keeping.

Nitrification

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nitrification: the process by which bacteria in the soil break down nitrogen compounds and form nitrates which plants can absorb. Nitrification is a key process in the nitrogen cycle, essential for converting nitrogen into forms that plants can use. Farmers can benefit from understanding and managing nitrification to ensure efficient nitrogen use and minimize losses. Practices like maintaining soil health, using nitrification inhibitors, and optimizing fertilizer application timing can enhance nitrogen availability for crops, leading to better yields and reduced environmental impact.

Rainwater

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rainwater: The water which falls as rain from clouds. Collecting and utilizing rainwater can provide farmers with an additional source of irrigation water, reducing dependence on other water sources.

Prune

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prune: A black-skinned dried plum. To remove pieces of a plant in order to keep it in shape or to reduce its vigor. Helpful content: Pruning is essential for maintaining plant health and productivity. Proper techniques promote better air circulation, light penetration, and overall growth, leading to higher yields and quality fruit.

Self-Feed

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self-feed: To take a controlled amount of feed from a large container as required. Farmers benefit from using self-feed systems for efficient and consistent livestock feeding.

Cox’S Orange Pippin

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Cox’s Orange Pippin: Cox’s orange pippin /k?ksiz ?rind p?pin/ noun a popular variety of dessert apple. The most important commercially grown apple in the UK. Cultivating Cox’s Orange Pippin apples provides high-quality fruit for markets.

Gley

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gley: A thick rich soil found in waterlogged ground. Knowledge of gley soils is important for managing drainage and improving soil fertility.

RELU

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RELU: Abbreviation for rural economy and land use. Understanding RELU helps farmers manage rural resources sustainably and support rural development.

Synergism

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synergism: the interaction of two or more organisms or chemicals that produce an effect greater than the sum of their separate effects. Understanding and managing synergism ensures optimal interactions and productivity in agricultural systems.

Nitrogen-Fixing Plant

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nitrogen-fixing plant: a leguminous plant which forms an association with bacteria that convert nitrogen from the air into nitrogen compounds in the soil, e.g., a pea plant. Nitrogen-fixing plants play a crucial role in maintaining soil fertility and reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers. Farmers can benefit from including these plants in their crop rotations or as cover crops to improve soil nitrogen levels. This practice enhances soil health, promotes sustainable farming, and reduces input costs. Utilizing nitrogen-fixing plants helps ensure a more resilient and productive farming system.

Colic

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Colic: Colic noun pain in any part of the intestinal tract, especially a symptom of abdominal pain in horses. Managing colic in horses involves proper diet, healthcare, and monitoring.