P

pure breeding: The mating of purebred animals of the same breed. Helpful content: Pure breeding programs help maintain and improve breed characteristics. Farmers can achieve uniformity and higher quality in livestock through careful selection and breeding practices.

pecking order: The order of social dominance in a group of birds, and also animals (NOTE: The equivalent in cattle is the ‘bunt order’). Understanding social hierarchies in livestock helps in managing animal behavior and welfare.

process: To treat produce in a way that will make it keep longer or become more palatable. Helpful content: Processing farm produce adds value and extends shelf life, providing new market opportunities. Techniques such as drying, canning, and fermenting can enhance product diversity and farm income.

provender: A general term used to describe dry feeds for livestock. Helpful content: Providing high-quality provender ensures that livestock receive adequate nutrition. Farmers can enhance animal health and productivity by selecting the best dry feeds available.

productive: Producing a lot of something that can be used or sold. Helpful content: Implementing productive farming techniques, such as crop rotation and precision farming, can increase output and profitability. Farmers can achieve sustainable growth by optimizing resource use and adopting best practices.

poultry: A general term for domestic birds kept for meat and egg production. Chickens are the most common. Helpful content: Raising poultry can be a profitable enterprise for farmers. Understanding poultry management, nutrition, and health care is essential for maximizing egg and meat production while maintaining animal welfare.

planning inquiry: A hearing before a government inspector relating to a decision of a local authority in planning matters. Helpful content: Participating in planning inquiries can help farmers advocate for their projects and address any concerns raised by the community or authorities. This process can lead to better-informed decisions that support agricultural development.

phased return to work: 1. The gradual return of a sick person to work in stages, e.g., working only part-time at first 2. A reduction in workload towards the end of a worker’s career. Implementing phased return to work practices supports worker well-being and maintains farm productivity.

pathogenesis: The origin, production, or development of a disease. Understanding pathogenesis helps in developing effective disease management strategies in agriculture.

phytoplasma: A type of bacterium that affects plants. Managing phytoplasma infections is crucial for maintaining healthy crops and preventing economic losses.