The practices and techniques used to move and handle livestock safely and humanely, including loading, unloading, and transportation. For example, following livestock transport and handling guidelines to minimize stress and ensure animal welfare.
SAOS: Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society. Farmers benefit from engaging with SAOS for cooperative ventures and accessing agricultural advice and support.
Fe: Abbreviation for the chemical element iron. Iron is essential for plant and animal health, playing a critical role in growth and metabolism.
placental: Referring to the placenta. Helpful content: Knowledge of placental health helps in monitoring the reproductive health of livestock, leading to better management and productivity. This understanding can assist in early detection of potential problems, allowing for timely interventions.
pedologist: A scientist who specializes in the study of the soil. Research by pedologists contributes to better soil management and crop production practices.
danthonia: A tufted pasture grass found in Australia and New Zealand. Danthonia is valued for its drought tolerance and suitability for grazing. Farmers can use danthonia in pasture management to improve forage availability, especially in arid regions. Rotational grazing and proper fertilization will help maintain healthy danthonia pastures, providing consistent feed for livestock.
zoophyte: A zoophyte is an animal that looks like a plant. Knowledge of zoophytes helps farmers in managing aquatic environments and understanding biodiversity.
rhubarb: A perennial plant (Rheum rhaponticum), of which the leaf stalks are cooked and eaten as dessert. It has a high oxalate content and the leaves are toxic. Growing rhubarb diversifies farm produce offerings and meets consumer demand for fresh and processed rhubarb products.
methane: a colourless flammable gas produced naturally from rotting organic waste, as in landfill sites or animal excreta. Formula: CH4. Methane is produced naturally from rotting vegetation in marshes, where it can sometimes catch fire, creating the phenomenon called will o the wisp, a light flickering over a marsh. Large quantities may also be formed in the rumen of cattle. It occurs as the product of animal excretions in livestock farming. Excreta from livestock can be passed into tanks where methane is extracted leaving the slurry which is then used as fertiliser. The methane can be used for heating or as a power source. Methane is also a greenhouse gas, and it has been suggested that methane from rotting vegetation, from cattle excreta, from water in paddy fields, and even from termites nests, all contribute to the greenhouse effect. Understanding the production and management of methane can help farmers reduce greenhouse gas emissions and utilize methane as a renewable energy source, contributing to environmental sustainability and farm profitability.
IPM: Integrated pest management. Helps farmers effectively manage pests with minimal environmental impact.