Specific
specific: clearly defined and definite. Understanding specific agricultural practices helps farmers achieve targeted outcomes, supporting productivity and sustainability.
Agricultural Terms and Helpful Expert Insight
sweeper bull: a bull used to serve cows that have not been artificially inseminated. Properly managing sweeper bulls ensures efficient breeding programs and livestock productivity, supporting farm profitability.
studded roller feed drill: a type of external force feed seed drill in which fluted rollers are replaced by rolls with studs or pegs. It is suitable for drilling most types of seed. Using studded roller feed drills ensures accurate seed placement and optimal crop establishment, supporting productive agriculture.
sward height record pad: a notebook in which the height of a sward is recorded. Properly managing sward height records ensures efficient pasture management and livestock productivity.
Schleswig-Holstein system: A system of cereal cultivation practised in North Germany, giving high average yields. The system involves careful management of the crop and includes high seed rates and high amounts of fertiliser. Crops are carefully monitored and visited each day. Disease is controlled by spraying. Farmers benefit from adopting the Schleswig-Holstein system to achieve high yields and efficient crop management.
straw spreader: a device attached to the back of a combine when the straw is not wanted. The straw is spread over the ground and then ploughed in. Using straw spreaders ensures efficient straw management and soil preparation, supporting productive agriculture.
stable fly: a fly which is like the house fly, but with a distinct proboscis which can pierce the skin. It breeds in stable manure and is a serious pest to animals as the bites cause irritation. Managing stable fly populations protects livestock from irritation and disease, supporting overall health and productivity.
shire horse: A tall heavy breed of draught horse. The coat may be of various colours, but there is always a mass of feather at the feet. Farmers benefit from using shire horses for their strength and versatility in farm work.
short rotation coppice: Varieties of willow or poplar which yield a large amount of fuel and are grown as an energy crop. Though there are plenty of bio-feedstocks around, for example short rotation coppice, few can be cost- and carbon-effectively turned into transport fuel. Farmers benefit from growing short rotation coppice for sustainable energy production and soil improvement.
soil air: the air content of the soil. It contains the same gases as the atmosphere, but in different amounts, because it is modified by the constituent parts of the soil. Also called soil atmosphere. Proper soil aeration ensures healthy root growth and overall soil health, supporting productive agriculture.
saddleback: 1. A breed of pig now known as the British Saddleback 2. Any pig with a white saddle, such as the American-bred Hampshire breed. Farmers benefit from raising saddleback pigs due to their hardy nature and efficient meat production.
synthetic auxin: an auxin manufactured from synthetic materials. Understanding and using synthetic auxins effectively supports healthy plant growth and optimal yields, enhancing farm productivity.
seed royalties: Money paid by seed growers to breeders of seeds. Farmers benefit from seed royalties as a form of intellectual property protection and incentive for breeding new and improved seed varieties.
sheeps sorrel: A common weed (Rumex acetosella). Farmers benefit from managing sheeps sorrel to prevent weed competition and maintain crop health.
supplementary levy: in the EU, a payment introduced to penalise milk production over the quota level. Understanding and managing supplementary levies ensures compliance with regulations and financial planning for dairy operations, supporting farm profitability.
seedbed: An area of land tilled to produce a fine tilth, firm and level, into which seeds will be sown. Some crops such as potatoes do not need a fine tilth and a rough damp bed is preferable. Farmers benefit from preparing seedbeds to ensure successful seed germination and crop establishment.
screwworm: A fly similar to the bluebottle, but dark green in colour, common in Central and South America. It devastated cattle in the USA in the 1950s, but has now been eradicated there. Farmers benefit from preventing screwworm infestations to protect livestock health and prevent economic losses.
space allowance: the amount of space a farmed animal should have in which to move around, feed, and rest. (NOTE: Guidelines on minimum space allowances are set out in the animal welfare codes.) Ensuring proper space allowance for livestock supports animal health and welfare, promoting better productivity and ethical farming practices.
sulphuric acid: a strong acid that exists as a colourless oily corrosive liquid and is made by reacting sulphur trioxide with water. It is used in batteries and in the manufacture of fertilisers, explosives, detergents, dyes, and many other chemicals. Formula: H2SO4. Understanding and using sulphuric acid effectively supports soil fertility and healthy crop growth, enhancing farm productivity.
Saler: A hardy breed of French cattle, found in the Cantal department of central France. The animals are reddish in colour and are reared both for meat and for milk production. The Saler is one of the best French suckler cows. Farmers benefit from Saler cattle due to their dual-purpose nature, providing both milk and meat efficiently.
string bean: same as French bean. Growing string beans provides farmers with a versatile crop for fresh and processed markets, enhancing farm income and sustainability.
supplementary ration: a type of concentrate fed to livestock to supplement feeds of hay and roots. Properly managing supplementary rations ensures optimal livestock nutrition and health, supporting productivity and well-being.
strawberry foot rot: a bacterial disease affecting sheep, causing ulcers. Managing strawberry foot rot ensures sheep health and productivity, supporting farm profitability.
sustainable products: products which are created and supplied using sustainable methods. Producing and marketing sustainable products ensures responsible resource use and supports farm sustainability.
succession: a series of stages, one after the other, by which a group of organisms living in a community reaches a stable state or climax. Properly managing ecological succession ensures sustainable land use and biodiversity on farms.
soil series: the classification of soils based on their similarities, used in soil mapping. (NOTE: Soil series are defined using a combination of three main properties: the parent material; the texture of the soil material and the presence or absence of material with a distinctive mineralogy; and the presence or absence of distinctive horizons.) Understanding soil series helps farmers manage land resources effectively, promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
streptococcal: referring to an infection caused by streptococci. Managing streptococcal infections in livestock ensures health and productivity, supporting farm profitability.
selective pesticide: A pesticide which takes toxic action against specific pests without affecting the growing crop. Farmers benefit from using selective pesticides to control pests without harming crops.
slaughterhouse: same as abattoir. Proper management of slaughterhouses ensures humane treatment of animals and high standards of meat processing, maintaining quality and safety.