Category: S

spacing drill: a precision seed drill. Using spacing drills ensures accurate planting and optimal crop establishment, supporting productive agriculture.

silo: A large container for storing grain or silage. There are many different types of silo. Some are pits dug into the ground, others are forms of surface clamp, while built silos are towers which may be either top- or bottom-loaded and are built of wood, concrete or steel. Farmers benefit from using silos for efficient and controlled grain and silage storage.

single-suckling: A natural method of rearing beef cattle, where calves are permitted to suckle their own mothers. Farmers benefit from using single-suckling systems for efficient and natural livestock rearing.

stocking density: the number of animals kept on a specific area of land. (NOTE: Animal welfare codes lay down rules for the maximum stocking density allowed to ensure that the health and welfare of the animals or birds is good.) Properly managing stocking density ensures livestock health and welfare, supporting productivity and ethical farming practices.

stand: a group of plants or trees growing together; a stand of conifers. Properly managing stands of trees or plants supports healthy growth and sustainable forestry or crop production.

solarisation: exposure to the rays of the sun, especially for the purpose of killing pests in the soil, by covering the soil with plastic sheets and letting it warm up in the sunshine. Using solarisation techniques helps farmers manage pests and diseases, ensuring healthy crop growth and better yields.

swine fever: a notifiable disease of pigs. Its symptoms are fever, loss of appetite, and general weakness, and it can be fatal. The disease was eradicated in Britain, but some further cases have been reported since 2000. The scientific name is classical swine fever, formerly called hog cholera. Managing swine fever ensures pig health and productivity, supporting farm profitability.

slatted mouldboard: a type of mouldboard which breaks up the soil as it is being ploughed. Using slatted mouldboards improves soil aeration and structure, promoting healthy root growth and better crop yields.

scrubland: Land covered with small trees and bushes. Farmers benefit from managing scrubland to maintain biodiversity and prevent invasive species.

sluice: a channel for water, especially through a dam or other barrier. Proper management of sluices ensures efficient water control and irrigation, promoting healthy crop growth and sustainable water use.

suffrutescent: referring to a perennial plant that is woody at the base of the stem and does not die down to ground level in winter. Properly managing suffrutescent plants ensures healthy growth and optimal yields, supporting productive agriculture.

Shropshire: A medium-sized breed of sheep with a black face and heavy fleece, now rare. Farmers benefit from raising Shropshire sheep for their valuable wool and meat production.

support: to hold the weight of something; to provide what is necessary for an activity or way of life. Properly managing support systems ensures efficient farm operations and productivity.

soil nutrition: the condition of soil in terms of the plant nutrients it contains; the action of putting nutrients into soil through the application of fertilisers. Proper soil nutrition ensures healthy crop growth and optimal yields, supporting productive agriculture.

shears: Large clippers used to shear a sheep. Farmers benefit from using shears for efficient and precise wool clipping.

steer: a castrated male bovine over one year old. Also called bullock. Properly managing steers supports healthy growth and productivity in beef operations, enhancing farm profitability.

sedge: One of a number of grass or rushlike herbs of the family Cyperaceae, common in marshlands and poorly drained areas. They have minimal nutritional value. Farmers benefit from managing sedge to maintain soil health and prevent waterlogging.

salsify: A plant with a long white root which is used as a vegetable. Farmers benefit from growing salsify as a unique crop offering diversification and potential market niche.

SFA: Small Farms Association. Farmers benefit from engaging with SFA for support and resources tailored to small-scale farming operations.

skin: the outer layer on an animal, fruit, or vegetable. Proper management of skin health in livestock and produce helps farmers maintain quality and market value, reducing losses and enhancing profitability.

swing plough: a plough used in upland areas which is designed to swing from one side to the other when the tractor changes direction at the end of a furrow. Using swing ploughs ensures efficient soil preparation and crop establishment, supporting productive agriculture.

silviculture: The cultivation of trees as part of forestry. Farmers benefit from engaging in silviculture for sustainable forestry and timber production.

staphylococcal mastitis: a condition of cows caused by several types of staphylococci especially when accompanied by stress resulting from liver fluke or cold conditions. Milk becomes watery and the cow has a high temperature. Proper management of staphylococcal mastitis ensures dairy cow health and milk quality, supporting farm productivity.

synthetised protein: a protein manufactured from synthetic materials. Understanding and using synthetised proteins effectively supports livestock nutrition and health, enhancing farm productivity.

spinner: a device used for harvesting potatoes. The potatoes are left on the surface of the soil for picking later. Using spinners ensures efficient potato harvesting, reducing labor costs and enhancing productivity.

singleton: A single offspring. Farmers benefit from managing singletons for effective livestock production and growth.

seed-borne disease: A disease which is carried in the seed of a plant. Farmers benefit from understanding and managing seed-borne diseases to protect crop health and yield.

silk: A thread produced by the larvae of a moth to make its cocoon. It is used to make a smooth light fabric. Farmers benefit from producing silk for its valuable market demand and diverse applications.

safflower: An oilseed crop (Carthamus tinctorius) grown mainly in India. The oil is used in the manufacture of margarine, and the residual oilseed cake has a limited use as a livestock feed. Farmers benefit from safflower by diversifying crops and producing valuable oil and feed products.

selfing: Same as self-fertilisation. Farmers benefit from understanding selfing for breeding and crop production.

slip: a small piece of plant stem, used to root as a cutting, or in budding. (of an animal) to miscarry. Understanding propagation techniques with slips helps farmers efficiently reproduce plants and maintain crop diversity.

sustainable society: a society which exists without depleting the natural resources of its habitat. Engaging in sustainable practices ensures long-term agricultural productivity and environmental health, supporting a sustainable society.

spring: a place where water comes naturally out of the ground; the season of the year following winter and before summer, when days become longer and the weather progressively warmer; a metal device which, when under tension, tries to resume its previous position. Proper management of water resources from springs supports sustainable water use and healthy crop growth.

self-fertilisation: The fertilisation of a plant or invertebrate animal with its own pollen or sperm. Farmers benefit from understanding self-fertilisation for breeding and crop production.

smooth-stalked meadowgrass: a species of grass which can withstand quite dry conditions. It is a perennial grass with smooth greyish-green leaves and green purplish flowers. Cultivating smooth-stalked meadowgrass provides farmers with a resilient forage crop, supporting livestock production in dry conditions.

suboestrus: a situation where a female animal comes on heat but does not show any of the usual signs. Properly managing suboestrus ensures effective breeding programs and livestock productivity.

spinous: referring to a plant with spines. Properly managing spinous plants ensures healthy growth and optimal yields, supporting productive agriculture.

soil erosion: the removal of soil by the effects of rain, wind, sea, or cultivation practices. Preventing soil erosion protects land resources and maintains soil fertility, supporting sustainable agricultural practices.

silt: Small particles of soil that are finer than sand but coarser than clay. Managing soil texture, including silt content, helps improve soil fertility and structure.

succulent foods: feedingstuffs which contain a lot of water; they are palatable and filling, and usually have a laxative effect. Most root crops, e.g., swedes and turnips, are succulents. Properly managing succulent foods ensures efficient livestock nutrition and health, supporting farm productivity.

short duration ryegrass: A class of grasses which are important to the farmer, including Westerwolds, Italian and Hybrid. These grasses are quick to establish and give early grazing. They are used where persistency is not important. Farmers benefit from growing short duration ryegrass for quick establishment and early grazing opportunities.

surface water: water that flows across the surface of the soil as a stream after rain and drains into rivers rather than seeping into the soil itself. Compare ground water. Properly managing surface water ensures water conservation and healthy soil conditions, supporting productive agriculture.

sapwood: An outer layer of wood on the trunk of a tree, which is younger than the heartwood inside and carries the sap. Farmers benefit from identifying sapwood for sustainable timber harvesting and tree health assessment.

soil moisture deficit: the difference between the amount of water that is in a soil and the amount needed for crops to grow successfully. Abbr SMD. Monitoring soil moisture deficits helps farmers optimize irrigation practices, ensuring crops receive adequate water without overuse.

sweet potato: a starchy root crop grown in tropical and subtropical regions. COMMENT: The sweet potato is valuable as famine food in parts of Africa and South America. The main producing countries are Indonesia, Vietnam, and Japan. In the Southern USA, the tubers are called ‘yams’. The plant has no connection with the ordinary potato. Properly managing sweet potato crops ensures healthy growth and high yields, supporting farm productivity and profitability.

strake: an attachment bolted onto the rear wheels of a tractor to improve wheel grip. The strake has spikes which can be extended beyond the tyre and which dig into the soil. Using strakes ensures efficient tractor operation and soil preparation, supporting productive agriculture.

seed certification: The testing, sealing and labelling of seed sold to farmers. This ensures that the seed is free from disease and from weeds. Farmers benefit from seed certification to ensure high-quality and disease-free seeds for planting.

set aside: To use a piece of formerly arable land for something other than growing food crops. Farmers benefit from setting aside land for conservation and sustainable land management.

stud farm: a farm where horses are kept for breeding. Properly managing stud farms ensures healthy breeding programs and improves livestock genetics, supporting farm profitability.

summer feeding: the feeding of cattle on permanent pastures in the summer months. Properly managing summer feeding ensures efficient use of pastures and livestock productivity, supporting farm profitability.