Category: S

synthetic fertiliser: a fertiliser made from synthetic materials. Compare organic fertiliser. Understanding and using synthetic fertilisers effectively supports soil fertility and healthy crop growth, enhancing farm productivity.

saprophytic: Referring to organisms that live and feed on dead or decaying organic matter. Farmers benefit from understanding saprophytic relationships for improving soil health and organic farming practices.

sustainable development: development that balances the satisfaction of people’s immediate interests and the protection of future generations’ interests. Engaging in sustainable development ensures long-term agricultural productivity and environmental health.

Scottish Crop Research Institute: A company which researches fertilisers and plant growth regulators, pests, pesticides and the genetic modification of crops. Abbr SCRI. Farmers benefit from the research conducted by SCRI to improve crop yields and pest management.

screenings: Grains which are small and pass through the sieve when grain is screened. Farmers benefit from managing screenings to ensure high-quality grain production.

spoil: (of food) to rot or decay. Proper storage and handling of food products prevent spoilage, ensuring quality and reducing losses.

seed potato: A potato tuber which is sown to produce new plants. In the UK, these are grown mainly in Scotland, and produced under a certification scheme (the Seed Potato Classification Scheme). Farmers benefit from using certified seed potatoes for disease-free and high-quality potato crops.

Sitka spruce: a temperate softwood coniferous tree that is fast-growing, used for making paper. Latin name: Picea sitchensis. Cultivating Sitka spruce provides farmers with a renewable source of timber and pulp, supporting sustainable forestry practices and economic growth.

seed-borne: Carried by seeds. Farmers benefit from understanding and managing seed-borne diseases to protect crop health and yield.

screen: A hedge or row of trees grown to shelter other plants, to protect something from the wind or to prevent something from being seen. To pass grain through a sieve to grade it. To protect plants from wind, e.g. by planting windbreaks. Farmers benefit from using screens for crop protection and quality control.

shepherd’s purse: A common weed (Capsella bursa-pastoris) in gardens and market gardens, found particularly among vegetables and root crops. Also called pepper and salt. Farmers benefit from managing shepherd’s purse to prevent weed competition and maintain crop health.

soil: the earth in which plants grow. chernozem, loess, podsol, subsoil, topsoil. COMMENT: Soil is a mixture of mineral particles, decayed organic matter and water. Topsoil contains chemical substances which are leached through into the subsoil where they are retained. Without care, soils easily degrade, losing the few nutrients they possess and becoming increasingly acid or sour. Proper soil management ensures fertility and productivity, supporting healthy crop growth and sustainable agriculture.

stell: a stone shelter for sheep and cattle in upland areas. Properly managing stells ensures livestock protection and well-being in challenging environments.

strangles: a disease of mangolds and sugar beet. It occurs in fairly large seedlings after singling. The stem is severely damaged. Managing strangles ensures healthy crop growth, preventing yield losses and maintaining quality.

SMEs: abbreviation small and medium-sized enterprises. Supporting SMEs in agriculture promotes innovation, economic growth, and job creation in rural communities.

sapro-: A prefix indicating decay or rotting. Farmers benefit from understanding sapro- related processes for effective composting and soil health management.

spreader: a device used for spreading, e.g., one for spreading granules of fertiliser evenly over a lawn; an agent added to an insect spray in order to make sure that the foliage is covered uniformly. Using spreaders ensures efficient application of agricultural inputs, promoting healthy crop growth and better yields.

stemmed: with a stem; a short-stemmed variety of rose. Properly managing stemmed plants ensures healthy growth and optimal yields, supporting productive agriculture.

stack: a pile of sheaves of grain, hay, or straw. Stacks can be round or square. Proper management of stacks ensures efficient storage and preservation of fodder, supporting livestock nutrition and farm productivity.

stop: to remove the growing tip of a shoot, to encourage lateral growths. Properly managing plant growth techniques like stopping ensures healthy development and better yields.

soil survey: the mapping of soil types using a soil classification system. Conducting soil surveys helps farmers manage land resources effectively, promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

stockproof: referring to a fence which livestock cannot get through. Properly managing stockproof fencing ensures livestock containment and protection, supporting efficient farm operations.

Small Farms Association: an organisation which represents the interests of small farmers on a national scale. Abbr SFA. Joining associations like the SFA provides small farmers with advocacy, resources, and support, helping them succeed in their operations.

soil atmosphere: same as soil air. Proper soil aeration ensures healthy root growth and overall soil health, supporting productive agriculture.

speciation: the process of developing new species. Understanding speciation helps farmers manage biodiversity and improve crop and livestock varieties, supporting agricultural productivity.

sheepdog: A breed of dog trained and used by shepherds in controlling sheep. Farmers benefit from using sheepdogs for efficient livestock management and herding.

saddle bow: A high part of a saddle in front of the rider. Farmers benefit from saddle bows by ensuring rider stability and control during horseback activities.

scarify: 1. To stir the surface of the soil with an implement with tines, e.g. a wire rake, but without turning the soil over. Lawns can be scarified to remove moss and matted grass. 2. To slit the outer coat of seed in order to speed up germination. Farmers benefit from scarifying to improve soil health and enhance seed germination rates.

spinach: an annual plant (Spinacia oleracea) grown for its succulent green leaves and eaten as a vegetable. Growing spinach provides farmers with a high-value crop for fresh markets, enhancing farm income and supporting healthy diets.

sooty mould: a fungal disease of wheat (Cladosporium). Managing sooty mould ensures healthy wheat crops, preventing yield losses and maintaining quality.

Sussex: a beef breed of cattle, similar to the North Devon, that is hardy and adaptable. Dark cherry red in colour, they were originally used as draught animals in preference to draught horses. Properly managing Sussex cattle ensures healthy growth and productivity, supporting farm profitability and sustainability.

seasonal farming: Farming practices that vary with the seasons to optimize crop and livestock production. Seasonal farming helps align agricultural activities with environmental conditions.

sheep tick: A small wingless dipterous insect, parasitic on sheep. Also called sheep ked. Farmers benefit from managing sheep tick infestations to protect livestock health and productivity.

shelter: A structure or feature providing protection from wind, sun, rain or other weather conditions. Farmers benefit from providing shelters to protect crops and livestock from adverse weather conditions.

singling: 1. The process of reducing the number of plants in a row 2. The process of reducing the number of plants from a multigerm seed to a single plant. Farmers benefit from managing singling for efficient and effective crop production.