K

kenaf: Kenaf – a fibre-producing plant similar to jute. Helps farmers diversify fibre crop production.

kilo-: Kilo- prefix – one thousand, 103. Symbol K. Helps farmers understand measurements and conversions.

kilogram: Kilogram – the base unit of mass in the SI system, equal to 1000 grams or 2.2046 pounds. Symbol kg. Also called kilo. Helps farmers understand and use weight measurements.

kg: Kilogram – the base unit of mass in the SI system, equal to 1000 grams or 2.2046 pounds. Symbol kg. Helps farmers understand and use weight measurements.

kilocalorie: Kilocalorie – a unit of measurement of heat equal to 1000 calories. In scientific use, the SI unit joule is now more usual. 1 calorie = 4.186 joules. Helps farmers understand energy content in animal feed.

ketosis: Ketosis – a wasting disease in livestock caused by low levels of glucose in the blood. The symptoms are a chronic lack of energy, depletion of fat reserves and a sudden drop in milk production. Helps farmers identify and treat metabolic diseases in livestock.

knotgrass: Knotgrass – a common weed (Polygonum aviculare) which affects spring cereals, sugar beet and vegetable crops. Its spreading habit prevents other slower-growing plants from growing. Also called ironweed, irongrass, pigweed, wireweed. Helps farmers identify and control weed infestations.

kale: Kale – a type of brassica, sometimes used as a green vegetable for human consumption, but mainly grown as animal forage. Helps farmers provide nutritious forage for livestock.

kemp: Kemp – a very coarse fibre in fleece, covered with a thick sheath and shed each year. Helps farmers understand wool quality.

ked: Ked – the sheep tick; a bloodsucking fly (Melophagus ovinus) which is a parasite of sheep and causes extreme irritation. Helps farmers identify and control parasites in livestock.