cropping

1. gerundparticiplepresentpresent participle and gerund of crop

plural croppings

1. The act by which something is cut short or truncated.

   The vet was regularly called upon to perform ear croppings.

2. agricultureThe growing of crops.
3. businessAn outcrop that is mined for the ore it contains.

   Their croppings are either entirely barren or contain only a moderate amount of copper, but much richer ore is ordinarily found just above the chalcocite zone.

   1905, Waldemar Lindgren, The Copper Deposits of the Clifton-Morenci District, Arizona, page 207

   1 more example

   The cropping of the Quincy ore-bearing bed, the equivalent of the Daly West bed, is stated to have been found at the east end of the present mine and just below the present wagon road.

   1912, John Mason Boutwell, Lester Hood Woolsey, Geology and ore deposits of the Park City district, Utah, page 121