ag prelim

systems

systems

inputs, outputs, boundaries, processes

inputs

raw material that goes into the farm. e.g. seeds

processes

alternatives that the raw materials must undergo. e.g. shearing or drenching

outputs

final product of the farm. e.g. wool, meat, milk and fruit

boundaries

limitations to the farm. e.g. climate, topography

dew

occurs when air cools at night and water vapour condenses into liquid

small intestine

absorbs 90% of the nutrients from food

anemometer

measures wind speed

region

an area with specific characteristics

leaves

photosynthesis and gas exchange

inorganic

not consisting of living matter

4 factors affecting incubation

1. temp

2. humidity

3. turning

4. ventilation

pest

a destructive organism that preys on livestock, crops or feed

IPM

integrated pest management

• biological control

• habitat manipulation

• modification of cultural practises

cultural practise

manifestation

climate

weather conditions long term

weather

atmosphere at a particular time and place. daily indicator

heifer

a cow that hasn't given birth or has only given birth once

steer

castrated male

weaner

calves that have been weaned off of their mother

bull

male cows used for reproduction

lare intestine

absorbs water from food

diseases in cattle

bloat, foot rot, mastitis

organic

derived from living matter

stubble retention

retaining stubble increases the input of carbon into the soil

green manure

getting the living grass and materials and ploughing it back into the soil

macro

type of food required in large amounts required for plant growth

micro

a chemical element or substance required in small amounts for normal growth and development of living organisms

n- nitrogen

component of chlorophyll and amino acid

k- potassium

required in large amounts for correct growth and reproduction of plants

stems

stems support the elevation of leaves and keeps the leaves in the light importantly trasports fluids between the roots in the xylem and phloem

roots

absorbs water and inorganic nutrients anchors the plant to the ground

seeds

seeds allow the reproduction to take place through sexual reproduction

dicot

form a tap root through seed that cannot be re grown and produce leaves two at a time

monocot

are grown through sexual reproduction (cloning/ budding) produce one leaf at a time like grasses

N-P-K

nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium

urea

adding urea to soils allows 46% more nitrogen to soils urea- 46:0:0 n. p k

plowing/ tilling

looses and aerates the top layer of soil

rumen

first stomach the rumen stores food, soaks, mixing and breaks down fibrous feed into volatile fatty acids

reticulum

mechanical digestion and microbial fermentation to break down food for absorption

omasum

absorbs all the water from food

abomasum

secretes enzymes from cells which allow the final breakdown of food

mono gastric

synthesises some b group vitamins can not break down cellulose enzyme bases digestion

ruminants

synthesis all b group organisms microbial based digestion can break down cellulose

artificial insemination

a method used to deliberately inseminate a cow

biological control

predation, parasitism or other natural mechanisms

habitat manipulation

promoting populations of natural enemies by making condition more favourable

iron

produces chlorophyll gives the plant oxygen

copper

activates some enzymes which are involved in lignin synthesis

lignin- organic polymer deposited in cell walls

magnese

aid in chlorophyll synthesis

oestrus synchronisation

process of targeting female mammals to come on heat within time frame (12-4 weeks)

phosphorus

helps to convert other nutrients into usable binding blocks to grow, and photosynthesis

N:P:K in relation to nutrients

all macro nutrients

bos taurus

europe

bos indicus

India

intense

near town and cities small

pH

measure of alkaline and salinity on soil or water

extensive

big farms no set area

growing season

a period of consecutive months with effective rainfall

soils profile

horizons, structure, organic matter content, drainage characteristics, parent material, texture, fertility rate

soil structure

porosity and aeration levels, infiltration, storage and drainage rates, root penetration and growth, transfer of heat, temperature, susceptibility to erosion

gross margin

includes only variable costs such as fuel, seeds etc. wouldn't include insurance etc