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OELS: Organic Entry Level Stewardship. The OELS offers financial incentives for farmers to implement environmental management practices on their land. Participating in OELS can help farmers adopt sustainable practices, enhance biodiversity, and improve soil and water quality, while also receiving financial support.

onion couch: A grass weed that grows to 24–48 inches and develops long oat-like hairs like flower heads. Managing onion couch is important to prevent competition with crops. Farmers can benefit from integrated weed management strategies to control this and other weeds, ensuring better crop performance.

overexploit: To cultivate soil too intensely. Avoiding overexploitation 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.

overshot wheel: A type of waterwheel where the water falls on the wheel from above. It is more efficient than an undershot wheel, where the water flows underneath the wheel. Using overshot wheels can improve the efficiency of water-powered machinery. Farmers can benefit from understanding the mechanics and applications of different waterwheel types to optimize their use for irrigation and energy generation.

Ordnance Survey: An agency which generates accurate mapping data for Great Britain. Abbr OS. 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.

oxygenate: Treating blood with oxygen. Proper oxygenation is crucial for livestock health and productivity. Farmers can benefit from ensuring adequate ventilation and air quality in barns to support animal well-being and performance.

orache: A common weed which affects sugar beet and maize crops, and makes harvesting the crop difficult. Managing orache is important to prevent competition with crops. Farmers can benefit from integrated weed management strategies to control this and other weeds, ensuring better crop performance.

organic matter: A combination found in soil of plant material that is decomposing, microorganisms such as fungi, and humus. Organic matter is crucial for soil health, improving water retention, nutrient availability, and soil structure. Farmers can benefit from incorporating organic matter through composting, cover cropping, and reduced tillage to enhance soil fertility and sustainability.

Ovis: The Latin name for the sheep genus. Understanding sheep taxonomy and genetics is crucial for effective breeding and management. Farmers can benefit from knowledge of sheep breeds and their characteristics to optimize production and improve herd health and performance.

osmotic pressure: The pressure required to prevent the flow of a solvent into a solution through a semi-permeable membrane. Managing osmotic pressure is crucial for plant water uptake and health. Farmers can benefit from understanding soil moisture dynamics and irrigation practices to ensure optimal crop hydration and productivity.