O

open furrow: A furrow shaped like a V, with the furrow slices laid in opposite directions to each other. Using open furrows can improve water infiltration and soil aeration. Farmers can benefit from proper plowing techniques to enhance soil health and crop growth.

overcropping: The practice of growing too many crops on poor soil, which has the effect of greatly reducing soil fertility. Avoiding overcropping is crucial for maintaining soil health and long-term productivity. Farmers can benefit from implementing sustainable farming practices, such as crop rotation and cover cropping, to prevent soil degradation.

off-going crop: A crop sown by a tenant farmer before leaving the farm at the end of their tenancy. They are permitted to return and harvest the crop and remove it. Understanding off-going crop rights can help farmers manage transitions and ensure fair agreements during changes in farm tenancy.

Oryza: The Latin name for rice. Rice cultivation can provide farmers with a staple crop that has high market demand. Farmers can benefit from understanding best practices for rice farming, including water management, pest control, and harvesting techniques, to maximize yields and profitability.

OS: Ordnance Survey. Access to accurate mapping data can help farmers with land planning, management, and compliance. Farmers can benefit from using Ordnance Survey maps for precision agriculture, resource management, and infrastructure development.

oestrus: One of the periods of the oestrous cycle that occurs in mature female mammals that are not pregnant. In this period ovulation normally occurs and the female is ready to mate. Recognizing oestrus signs helps farmers time breeding for optimal success, improving reproductive efficiency and herd productivity.

old wood: Growth made during previous years. Managing old wood through pruning and renewal practices is essential for maintaining healthy and productive orchards and vineyards. Farmers can benefit from proper old wood management to enhance fruit quality and yields.

oviduct: A tube that transports eggs from the ovary to the uterus in mammals or in birds and reptiles secretes the eggshell and conveys the egg to the outside. Understanding reproductive anatomy is crucial for optimizing breeding programs and reproductive efficiency in livestock. Farmers can benefit from applying knowledge of reproductive biology to improve fertility and productivity.

oil: A liquid compound which does not mix with water, occurring as vegetable or animal oils, essential volatile oils, and mineral oils. Oils are important in both crop and livestock production. Farmers can benefit from producing and utilizing oils for food, feed, and industrial purposes, enhancing farm profitability.

oxygen: A colorless, odorless gas, essential to human life, constituting 21% by volume of the Earth’s atmosphere. Ensuring adequate oxygen levels in livestock barns and storage facilities helps maintain animal health and food quality, preventing respiratory issues and spoilage of stored products. Oxygen is vital for respiration in all living organisms.