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penicillin: An antibiotic, originally produced from a fungus, that controls bacterial and fungal infections (NOTE: Penicillin and the related family of drugs have names ending in -cillin: amoxycillin). COMMENT: Penicillin is effective against many microbial diseases, such as mastitis in cattle. Using antibiotics like penicillin helps in treating infections and maintaining livestock health.

Portland: A rare breed of sheep. Both sexes are horned, with brown or tan faces and legs. Helpful content: Portland sheep are known for their hardiness and adaptability to various environments. Farmers can benefit from raising this rare breed due to its resilience and the unique qualities of its wool and meat.

partial drought: In the UK, a period of at least 29 consecutive days when the mean rainfall does not exceed 2.54mm. Monitoring and managing drought conditions helps in planning irrigation and ensuring crop survival.

pigment: A natural substance that gives color to an animal or plant. Understanding pigments helps in breeding plants and animals with desirable traits and improving product quality.

pastoralist: A farmer who keeps grazing animals on pasture. The people most affected by the drought in the Sahara are nomadic pastoralists. Supporting pastoralists helps maintain traditional farming practices and livelihoods.

producer-retailer: A person who produces a commodity for sale directly to the public, as through a farm shop or by milk delivery. Helpful content: Producer-retailers can benefit from direct sales to consumers, allowing for better profit margins and stronger customer relationships. This approach can also provide consumers with fresher and more traceable products.

picloram: A systemic herbicide. Understanding herbicides like picloram aids in effective weed management and protecting crop yields.

Percheron: A heavy breed of horse, developed in Normandy. It is grey in color. Raising breeds like Percheron can provide valuable workhorses for farm tasks and meet market demands for horse-related activities.

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.

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.

plant growth regulator: A chemical treatment that slows the growth of plants, used in low-maintenance areas such as roadside verges. Abbr PGR. Helpful content: Plant growth regulators can help farmers manage crop growth, reduce the need for frequent mowing or pruning, and maintain the desired plant size. This can lead to labor and cost savings in landscape management.

passive immunity: Immunity received in the womb from the mother. Antibodies produced by her immune system to resist diseases that she has experienced or been vaccinated against are transferred to the embryo. Ensuring proper colostrum management and vaccination can enhance passive immunity in newborn livestock.

pork: Fresh meat from pigs, as opposed to cured meat, which is bacon or ham. Helpful content: Producing high-quality pork involves proper animal husbandry, nutrition, and health management. Farmers can benefit from understanding market demands and implementing best practices to ensure the consistent production of safe and nutritious pork.

peel: 1. The outer layer of a fruit. Oranges have a thick peel. Lemon peel is used as flavoring. 2. The skin of a potato. Verb to remove the peel from a fruit or potato. Using peels in composting can improve soil fertility and reduce waste.

plum: A stone fruit (Prunus domestica). Helpful content: Growing plums can be profitable for farmers, especially with varieties that are popular in local and export markets. Proper orchard management, including pest control and pruning, can lead to high yields and quality fruit.

pasturage: A place where animals are pastured. Managing pasturage efficiently can improve livestock health and productivity by providing quality forage.

partly mixed ration: A winter feed for livestock which combines total mixed ration and separate concentrate feeding, by mixing some concentrates with the roughage and keeping the rest aside as additional feed for higher-yielding animals. Abbr PMR. Using partly mixed rations ensures balanced nutrition for livestock, improving health and productivity.

propagation: The production of new plants. Helpful content: Successful propagation involves understanding plant biology and environmental conditions. Farmers can enhance plant growth and survival rates by optimizing propagation methods and providing proper care.