F

Firm: Solid. The soil is firm and not too crumbly. Firm soil conditions support planting and crop establishment.

Furrow Slice: The soil displaced by the mouldboard of a plough when it creates a furrow. Properly managing furrow slices supports efficient soil management and crop establishment.

Fixed Costs: Costs such as rent that do not increase with the quantity of a product produced. Managing fixed costs is crucial for farm financial planning and profitability.

Fungus: A simple plant organism such as yeast, mushrooms, or mold with thread-like cells and without green chlorophyll. Properly managing fungal organisms supports crop and livestock health.

Flaxseed: Seed from the flax plant, crushed to produce linseed oil. Flaxseed is a valuable crop for its oil and nutritional benefits, providing farmers with a profitable and versatile product.

Fixation: The act of fixing something. Nitrogen fixation. Understanding nitrogen fixation helps farmers manage soil fertility and improve crop growth.

Food Grain: A cereal crop used as food for humans, e.g., wheat, barley, or rye. Properly managing food grains ensures high-quality food production and marketability.

Fertility: 1. The state of being fertile. 2. The proportion of eggs which develop into young. 3. A measure of the ability of a female to conceive and produce young or of the male to fertilise the female. Managing fertility is crucial for successful breeding and high productivity.

Farm Animal Welfare Council: An agency established by the British government to review the welfare of farm animals on agricultural land, at markets, in transit, and at the place of slaughter. Abbr FAWC. This council helps ensure ethical treatment and welfare standards for farm animals.

Four-Wheel Drive Vehicle: A vehicle in which the power is transmitted to all four wheels, as opposed to only one pair of wheels as is usual in cars. Using four-wheel drive vehicles supports efficient farm operations and transportation on challenging terrains.

Farmworker: A person who works on a farm. Farmworkers are essential for the daily operations and success of a farm.

Foetus: An unborn animal in the womb at the stage when all structural features are visible, i.e., after eight weeks in humans. Proper monitoring and care of pregnant livestock ensure healthy foetus development and successful births.

Fumigation: Disinfection by means of gas or fumes that penetrate into cracks and holes, a process that is probably more efficient than spraying or scrubbing. Properly managing fumigation practices ensures effective pest control and farm hygiene.

Frugivore: An animal that mainly eats fruit. Many bats and birds are frugivores. Understanding frugivore behavior supports biodiversity and ecological balance on farms.

Flood: A large amount of water covering land that is usually dry, caused by phenomena such as melting snow, heavy rain, high tides, or storms. Managing flood risks and implementing flood control measures help protect farmland and infrastructure.

Flightless Bird: A bird with small wings that cannot fly, e.g., an ostrich or a penguin. Understanding the care and management of flightless birds supports diverse farming operations.

Fennel: An aromatic herb (Foeniculum vulgare) of Mediterranean origin, used to flavour fish dishes and soups. Growing fennel adds diversity to farm crops and can provide culinary and medicinal benefits.

fertigation: The application of fertilizers through an irrigation system. Fertigation can improve nutrient management and crop productivity.

Feed Wheat: Wheat used as an animal feed and not for human consumption. Selecting appropriate feed wheat supports animal nutrition and farm efficiency.

Farm-Scale: Relating to trials or evaluations carried out on farms using regular farming practices rather than on small experimental plots. Farm-scale trials provide realistic data to improve agricultural practices.

Fodder Storage: The storing of fodder for use in winter. Proper fodder storage practices ensure a consistent feed supply for livestock during the winter months.