Glossary

A

Ammonium

A form of mineral nitrogen in the soil. Plants can take it up directly. More

C

C/N ratio

The ratio between carbon and nitrogen in the organic matter. It indicates how quickly nitrogen is released from the organic matter.

Crude protein

The total amount of protein in the feed. More

Cut

One mowing of the grass. The first cut is the first mowing of the year. More

D

Dry matter

The part of a sample that remains once all the water has been removed. For feed and manure, the other values are often given per kilo of dry matter. More

DVE

Intestinal digestible protein: the protein from the feed that a cow can absorb in the intestine. More

F

Fertiliser advice

Advice on how much fertiliser a field needs and which types, based on a soil analysis. More

Field

A piece of land with a single use, for example a pasture or arable field. We usually take one sample per field. More

L

Leaching

The washing away of nutrients, especially nitrate, with rainwater into deeper groundwater. More

M

Magnesium

A nutrient that plants need in smaller amounts. More

Mineral nitrogen

Nitrogen in the form of nitrate and ammonium. Plants can take it up directly. It is also called Nmin. More

Mixing

Stirring the slurry in the pit so that the manure has the same composition throughout. This is needed for a reliable manure sample. More

N

Nitrate

A form of mineral nitrogen in the soil. It can leach into the groundwater after heavy rain. More

Nmin

The mineral nitrogen in the soil: nitrate and ammonium together. It is measured in layers of the soil. More

O

OEB

Rumen degradable protein balance: shows whether there is a surplus or shortage of protein in the rumen relative to the energy. More

Organic matter

The part of the soil that consists of plant residues and soil life. It holds water and nutrients. More

P

P-Al

A measure of the phosphate reserve in the soil that becomes available in the longer term. More

P-CaCl2

The phosphate in the soil that is directly available to the plant. More

pH

The acidity of the soil or the water. Soil that is too acidic makes nutrients less available. More

Potassium

A nutrient that is important for the growth and quality of the crop. More

R

Representative sample

A sample that properly reflects the whole field, the whole pit or the whole silage clamp. More

S

Silage corer

A corer with which we take a sample from a silage clamp or bale, at several spots. More

Slurry

Liquid manure, a mixture of dung and urine. It separates in the pit and must be mixed thoroughly before sampling. More

Soil auger

A hollow auger with which we take a small amount of soil from many spots in a field. More

Sulphur

A nutrient that plants need in smaller amounts, among other things for protein formation. More

V

VEM

Feed unit for milk: the energy value of feed for dairy cattle. More