Category: S

seed: A plant’s unit of reproduction, capable of developing into another plant. High-quality seed selection is crucial for successful crop production.

soil sterilant: something used to remove microorganisms from soil, e.g., a chemical or steam. Using soil sterilants helps farmers manage pests and diseases, ensuring healthy crop growth and better yields.

solar farming: The use of solar energy to power agricultural operations. Solar farming reduces energy costs and supports sustainable farming practices.

springtail: a primitive wingless insect very common in soils, where they may do damage to fine roots. Managing springtail populations protects crops from damage, ensuring healthy growth and better yields.

stubble cleaning: working the stubble after harvest, using ploughs, cultivators, and harrows to free the weeds from the soil. Properly managing stubble cleaning ensures efficient soil preparation and weed control, supporting healthy crop growth and better yields.

superovulation: the process in animal production of injecting hormones to increase the number of eggs released by the ovaries. Properly managing superovulation ensures efficient breeding programs and improves livestock productivity, supporting farm profitability.

syphoning: moving a liquid from one container to another using a pipe which is filled with liquid, with the open ends of the pipe below the level of the liquid in the original container. Properly managing syphoning ensures efficient liquid transfer and farm operations.

savoy: A type of winter cabbage with crinkly leaves. Farmers benefit from growing savoy cabbage as it is hardy and can be harvested in cold weather, providing a valuable winter crop.

shavings: Thin curled pieces of wood removed when planing, used as litter for animals. Farmers benefit from using shavings for livestock bedding and soil improvement.

Scottish Natural Heritage: An official body responsible for the conservation of fauna and flora in Scotland. Farmers benefit from engaging with Scottish Natural Heritage to ensure sustainable farming practices and biodiversity conservation.

seed trials: Tests of new seeds to see if they germinate correctly. Farmers benefit from conducting seed trials to evaluate and select the best-performing seed varieties.

strip grazing: a system of grazing which allows animals access to a small part of the field. The rest of the field is protected by a temporary fence, usually electric. Properly managing strip grazing ensures sustainable pasture management and livestock productivity.

subtropical: referring to the subtropics. The islands enjoy a subtropical climate. Subtropical plants grow on the sheltered parts of the coast. Properly managing subtropical crops ensures optimal growth and yields, supporting farm productivity and sustainability.

suckling pig: an unweaned piglet. Properly managing suckling pigs ensures healthy growth and development, supporting livestock productivity and farm profitability.

surface drainage: the removal of surplus water from an area of land by means of ditches and channels. Properly managing surface drainage ensures healthy soil conditions and prevents waterlogging, supporting productive agriculture.

steerage hoe: a hoe mounted behind a tractor and steered by the driver to avoid crop damage. Using steerage hoes ensures precise weed control and healthy crop growth, supporting better yields.

secondary: 1. Less important than something else 2. Coming after something else. Farmers benefit from understanding secondary growth and development stages for better crop and livestock management.

Suckler Cow Premium Scheme: until 2005, a subsidy on female cattle forming part of a suckler breeding herd used for rearing calves for meat production. Now superseded by the Single Payment Scheme. Understanding and accessing support schemes ensures financial support for farmers, promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

sheet erosion: Erosion that takes place evenly over the whole area of a slope, caused by the runoff from saturated soil after heavy rainfall. Farmers benefit from managing sheet erosion to prevent soil degradation and maintain land productivity.

sustainable food chain: a food chain from producer to consumer which is environmentally responsible and sustainable at all stages. Properly managing sustainable food chains ensures responsible resource use and supports farm sustainability.

salmonellosis: A disease caused by Salmonella bacteria. Farmers benefit from preventing salmonellosis to protect livestock health and prevent economic losses.

scutch: Same as couch grass. Farmers benefit from managing scutch grass to prevent weed infestations and maintain crop health.

saliva: A clear fluid secreted by the salivary glands into the mouth, and containing water, mucus and enzymes to lubricate food and break down starch into sugars. Farmers benefit from understanding saliva’s role in animal digestion for better livestock health management.

stocky: referring to an animal with short strong legs. Properly managing stocky animals ensures healthy growth and productivity, supporting farm profitability.

sawdust: Powder produced when sawing wood. Sawdust is used both as a mulch for plants and as bedding for animals. Farmers benefit from using sawdust for soil improvement and livestock comfort.

spring wheat: wheat which is sown in spring and harvested towards the end of the summer. Growing spring wheat provides farmers with a seasonal crop that supports crop rotation and sustainable agricultural practices.

sphagnum: a type of moss that grows in acid conditions. Cultivating sphagnum provides farmers with a valuable resource for horticulture and soil improvement, supporting sustainable practices.

shoot: 1. A new growth from the stem of a plant 2. Part of a young seed plant, the stem and first leaves which show above the surface of the soil. To kill something with a gun. Farmers benefit from managing shoots for successful plant growth and crop production.

sole furrow: the last slice cut during ploughing. Proper ploughing techniques, such as creating sole furrows, ensure efficient soil preparation and promote healthy crop growth.

spot price: the market price for produce or livestock at a specific time. ‘If most of the feeds needed can be bought forward during dips in the market, the end result is a high quality, highly competitive diet and significant feed cost savings compared to spot prices.’ [Farmers Guardian]. Monitoring spot prices helps farmers make informed decisions about sales and purchases, optimizing profitability.

septic tank: An underground tank for household sewage that is not connected to the main drainage system and in which human waste is decomposed by the action of anaerobic bacteria. Farmers benefit from using septic tanks for waste management and sanitation.

swath turner: a haymaking machine used to move individual swaths sideways and turn them over at the same time, so making the drying process faster. It is also used in wet conditions to scatter a swath to dry it more quickly. Using swath turners ensures efficient haymaking and fodder quality, supporting livestock nutrition and farm productivity.

Slaughter Premium Scheme: until 2005, a subsidy that provided direct support to all producers of domestic cattle. (NOTE: Now superseded by the Single Payment Scheme.) Understanding historical subsidy schemes helps farmers adapt to current financial support structures and manage their operations effectively.

scale: A thin membranous leaf structure. Farmers benefit from understanding scale in plants for better crop management.

streptococcus: a bacterium belonging to a genus that grows in long chains and causes diseases such as strangles and mastitis. (NOTE: The plural is streptococci.) Understanding streptococcus bacteria helps farmers manage livestock health and prevent disease outbreaks, supporting productivity and well-being.