Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom

Glossary of Terms (as used in the lessons)

R is for . . .

radicle The part of the plant embryo that develops into the primary root.
ragweed An annual weed with a bitter taste which bears greenish-yellowish flowers and produces an abundance of pollen that causes hay fever during the late summer and early fall.
rain Water condensed from atmospheric vapor and falling in drops.
ranch A large farm on which large herds of cattle, sheep or horses are raised.
range-feed Allow (livestock) to graze and wander at will over an extensive area of open land.
ratio The relative size of two quantities expressed as the quotient of one divided by the other.
raw milk Milk that has not been pasteurized and homogenized.
ray A straight line extending from point to point.
rayon A synthetic fiber produced from wood pulp that has been chemically treated.
razorback A semiwild hog of the southeastern United States, having a narrow body with a ridged back.
RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) The daily intake of vitamins and minerals humans require for good health, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
real Being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verifiable existence.
ream A large roll of paper that has been pressed.
reaper A machine for harvesting grain and pulse crops.
recipe A set of directions with a list of ingredients for making or preparing food.
regurgitate To cast as partially digested food.
registered Officially recorded as having met certain criteria on a list maintained by a recognized organization.
remnants Small bits of cotton, wool, linen and flax that can be used in making quilts.
renewable Ability to regrow or replenish in one or two human lifetimes.
research Close and careful study.
residue A deposit of material not used by the plant.
residue management Use of the portion of the plant or crop left in the field after harvest for protection or improvement of the soil.
resistance The ability of an organism to withstand the effects of a harmful environmental agent, e.g., disease.
resources Available assets.
retail The sale of goods or commodities in small quantities directly to consumers.
reticulum The second compartment of the stomach of ruminant mammal, lined with a membrane having honeycombed ridges.
respiration The process of breathing.
Rhode Island Red Any of an American breed of domestic fowl having dark reddish-brown feathers.
rib A cut of meat enclosing one or more ribs.
riboflavin A crystalline orange-yellow pigment, the principal growth-promoting factor in the vitamin B complex, found in milk, leafy vegetables, fresh meat and egg yolks.
rice A cereal grass that is cultivated extensively in warm climates for its edible grain.
rick A stack of hay, straw, or other similar material covered or thatched for protection from the weather.
right-of-way Privilege to travel across a given piece of land which may be purchased or granted by a landowner.
rind A tough outer covering such as bark, the skin of some fruits, or the coating on cheese or bacon.
riparian areas Land which borders a stream or body of water.
roast A cut of meat suitable for roasting.
rodeo A competition in which cowboys display skills such as riding broncos or lassoing.
rooster The adult male of the common domestic fowl.
root The usually underground portion of a plant that serves as support, draws food and water from the surrounding soil and stores food.
rotate To plant or grow (crops) in a fixed order of succession.
roundup The herding together of cattle for inspection, branding, or shipping.
rumen The first division of the stomach of a ruminant animal, in which food is partly digested before being regurgitated for further chewing.
ruminant Any of various hoofed, even-toed, usually horned mammals, such as cattle, sheep, goats, deer and giraffes, characteristically having a stomach divided into four compartments and chewing a cud consisting of regurgitated, partially digested food.
runoff Rainfall not absorbed by soil.
runt An undersized animal; the smallest of the litter.
rural Of or pertaining to people who live in the country or relating to farming; agricultural.
rustler Someone who steals livestock, especially cattle.
rye A widely cultivated cereal grass whose seeds are valued as grain and used to make flour or to feed livestock.

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