a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y
Parasite
An animal which lives on another animal and which often causes health problems. Examples are roundworms in animal intestines(internal parasites) and lice on the skin(external parasites).
Parlour
The building which houses milking equipment where the cows are milked once, twice or three times per day
Parturition
Term used to describe the birth process
pasture
Grass field used for grazing animals. It may be permanent or a ley.
PD
Pregnancy diagnosis by the vet(via rectal examination) takes place about 6 weeks after service.
Peas
Pulse crop grown for human or animal consumption containing protein
Pedigree
An animal whose parents are recorded as true to the breed in a herdbook
Phosphate
A fertilizer containing phosphorus which is vital for healthy crop root and shoot growth.
Photosynthesis
The process whereby plants use sunlight to convert CO2 and H20 into sugar and O2
Plots
Small areas of crops used to test chemicals or varieties
Plough
Tractor drawn implement used to invert the soil
Ploughed
Land that has been inverted by a plough
Pneumonia
Potentially fatal, flu-like illness
Points
The wearing tips on a cultivator that cut into the soil
Potash
A fertilizer containing potassium which is needed for heathy crop growth and good yields.
Powdered milk
Milk substitute fed to calves once they have been removed from the mother
Power Harrow
Rotary implement used to break down lumps in soil after ploughing
Pre-emergence
Before the planted crop breaks through the soil surface
Pre-lambing
Period before ewes produce lambs
Precision drill
A planting machine which places seeds individually in the soil
Prolificacy
A measure of the breeding ability of farm animals eg the number of lambs born per year from a ewe.
Protein
An essential part of all animals and plants. Milk contains 3-4% protein (casein).
Pulsation
A fluctuating vaccuum applied to the teat cup liner to simulate the sucking of a calf and thus extracting milk from the cow in a natural way.
Pulse
A pea or bean crop grown for animal and human food
Pure bred
An animal of which the parents are the same breed
