teart

Definitions

Tending toward scouring (diarrheal illness) in grazing livestock, being high in molybdenum content and neutral to alkaline in pH.

Examples

“Abstract: The novelty of the subject matter⟳ and the fact that the information is conveyed in the form⟳ of a bulletin addressed to farmers, pending later publication of further experimental data in the scientific press⟳, justifies a lengthy abstract for readers of the Veterinary Bulletin. The local word "teart" (i.e. tart) is applied to land⟳ and pastures [in Somerset, Warwickshire, and Gloucestershire] upon which severe scouring occurs in grazing ruminants, particularly cows in milk and young stock⟳. Sheep are less affected, and horses and pigs appear⟳ to be unaffected. […] Most affected farms contain⟳ both teart and non-teart land⟳ and the degree of "teartness" varies with season and from field to field. […] The cause of teartness is traced to the presence of molybdenum in the herbage in amounts varying from 20-100 p.p.m. of the dry matter⟳, and the degree of teartness is roughly proportional to the molybdenum content, particularly to the amount in water-soluble form⟳. Of the total molybdenum present⟳, about 80% is soluble in the case of green grass, about 40% in the case of hay, and 10% in the case of moribund winter herbage. Hence growing pastures may be teart even when cut⟳ hay is not. […] [Various ameliorants are available but] Wherever possible, however, it is advisable to convert teart pastures to arable land⟳. [H.H. Green, abstracter, in an abstract of a forthcoming bulletin from Imperial Chemical Industries.]”

“Teart soils contain⟳ molybdenum in amounts varying from about 0·002 to 0·010% in the surface horizon and are neutral or alkaline in reaction and often calcareous. The contents of molybdenum increase⟳ down the soil profile. Those [soils] which are acid in reaction in the surface horizons are not teart even if their molybdenum content is high. […] How a knowledge of the relation between soil and teartness can be turned to practical advantage is briefly discussed.”

CEFR level