H

hybrid: A new form of plant or animal resulting from a cross between organisms that have different genotypes. Growing hybrids can improve crop and livestock performance and productivity.

hay seed: Grass seed obtained from hay. Utilizing hay seed can help farmers establish new pastures and improve soil quality.

hog: A castrated male pig. In the US, any pig. Properly managing hogs ensures healthy and productive livestock operations.

herbage consumed: The mass of herbage once it has been consumed by grazing animals. Monitoring herbage consumption ensures proper feed management and prevents overgrazing.

haulm roller: A roller found on potato harvesters and grading machinery. Using a haulm roller helps in the efficient separation of haulm from the crop, improving the quality of harvested produce.

handle: A term used to describe the texture or feel of wool. Understanding the handle of wool helps farmers and breeders evaluate the quality of wool, ensuring better pricing and marketability.

heathland: A wide area of heath. Maintaining heathland can provide valuable grazing and support biodiversity.

Health and Safety Executive: A UK government organization responsible for checking people’s working environment. Abbr HSE. Engaging with HSE guidelines helps farmers maintain a safe working environment for themselves and their workers.

Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points: Full form of HACCP. Implementing HACCP ensures food safety and quality, which is crucial for maintaining consumer trust and meeting regulatory standards.

hull: The outer covering of a cereal seed. Hulls form bran. Properly managing hulls ensures efficient processing and use of cereal grains.

Humane Slaughter Association: A charity which campaigns for animal suffering to be minimized during the slaughter process. Abbr HSA. Supporting HSA initiatives ensures the humane treatment of livestock and compliance with animal welfare standards.

highlands: An area of mountains. Farmers in the highlands mostly raise sheep. Managing highland areas effectively supports grazing livestock and biodiversity.

hand pulling: The act of pulling weeds or plants out of the ground by hand. Hand pulling weeds helps maintain crop health and reduces the need for chemical herbicides, promoting sustainable farming practices.

hedging: The skill of cultivating hedges. Developing hedging skills can help farmers create and maintain effective field boundaries and support local wildlife.

husbandry system: A written plan for looking after a group of farm animals, looking at considerations such as their habitat, diet, medical care, production rates, and general welfare. Developing a husbandry system supports effective livestock management and productivity.

haulm silage: Silage made from the stems and leaves of peas and beans left after harvest. Producing haulm silage can provide a valuable feed source for livestock, improving farm sustainability.

halo-: Prefix salt. Understanding plant adaptations like halophytes (salt-tolerant plants) can help farmers cultivate crops in saline soils.

huller: A kind of threshing machine which removes seeds from their husks. Using hullers ensures efficient seed processing and quality.

husbanding: The activity of using a resource carefully. Practicing husbandry supports sustainable farm management and resource conservation.

hay-sweep: An implement used to collect hay from swaths and carry it to a stack. Using a hay-sweep improves the efficiency of hay collection, reducing labor costs and time.

humification: The breakdown of rotting organic waste to form humus. Practicing humification improves soil fertility and supports healthy crop growth.