Environmental Change Network: An association which monitors trends in climate change and produces statistics. Abbr ECN. Participation in the ECN helps farmers stay informed about climate trends and adapt farming practices for sustainability.
ethanol: A type of alcohol used as a biofuel. Producing ethanol from crops can provide renewable energy sources and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
A specially formulated feed given to calves to transition them from milk to solid food. Calf starter helps promote rumen development and growth. For example, providing calf starter feed to young calves to support their early growth and weaning process.
Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research: A research organization in the field of land use and conservation. Abbr IGER. Helps farmers adopt sustainable grassland management practices.
spikelet: part of the flower head of plants such as grass, attached to the main stem without a stalk. Properly managing spikelets ensures healthy growth and optimal yields of grass crops.
twitch: Same as couch grass. Same as louping-ill. Effective management of twitch can prevent competition with crops and improve pasture quality.
bioproducts: Products derived from biological resources, including food, feed, and bio-based materials. Developing and using bioproducts adds value to farm outputs and promotes sustainability.
overexploit: To cultivate soil too intensely. Avoiding overexploitation is crucial for maintaining soil health and long-term productivity. Farmers can benefit from implementing sustainable farming practices, such as crop rotation and cover cropping, to prevent soil degradation.
Beulah speckle face: A breed of sheep with a black and white speckled face, native to the hills of Wales. Raising Beulah speckle face sheep provides hardy, adaptable livestock for diverse farming conditions.
battery: A large number of small cages, usually for chickens. Understanding the ethics and regulations of battery farming is essential for animal welfare and farm compliance.