Category: S

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.

shank: The lower part of a horse’s leg between the knee and the foot. Farmers benefit from understanding shank anatomy for effective horse management and care.

Se: Se symbol selenium. Selenium is a trace element essential for animal health. Farmers benefit from understanding selenium’s role in preventing deficiencies and ensuring livestock productivity.

Scottish halfbreed: A crossbred type of sheep obtained by using a Border Leicester ram on a Cheviot ewe. They are used widely in lowland Britain. Farmers benefit from raising Scottish halfbreeds for their adaptability and efficient meat and wool production.

stone: a single small piece of rock; a hard endocarp that surrounds a seed in a fruit such as a cherry. Properly managing stones in fields and crops ensures healthy plant growth and efficient farm operations.

Shetland: A rare breed of cattle, native to the Shetland Isles. It is medium-sized, black and white, with short legs, short horns and a bulky body. A breed of sheep, native to the Shetland Isles. The colour varies from white, through grey and black to light brown; the ewes are polled and the rams horned; it produces fine soft wool of high quality, used in the Shetland wool industry. A small Shetland ewe yields a fleece 1.5–2 kilos in weight. A breed of pony, used as a riding horse for children. Farmers benefit from raising Shetland breeds for their hardiness and valuable products, including wool, meat, and pony services.

Simmental: A breed of cattle originating in Switzerland, the colour of which is yellowish-brown or red. It is a dual-purpose breed, with a high growth rate potential and good carcass quality. Farmers benefit from raising Simmental cattle for their efficient meat and milk production.

sandy soil: Soil containing a high proportion, approximately 50%, of sand particles. Sandy soil feels gritty. These soils drain easily and are naturally low in plant nutrients through leaching. They are often called ‘light’ soils, as they are easy to work and also ‘hungry’ soils since they need fertilizer. Market gardening is particularly well-suited to sandy soils. Farmers benefit from managing sandy soils to improve water retention and nutrient levels for successful crop production.

substratum: a layer of rock beneath the topsoil and subsoil. COMMENT: The plural is substrata. Properly managing substratum ensures soil stability and fertility, supporting productive agriculture.

snow mould: a fungal pre-emergent blight and root rot of cereals (Micronectriella nivalis). Managing snow mould ensures healthy cereal crops, preventing yield losses and maintaining quality.

springer: a cow almost ready to calve. Also called down-calver. Properly managing springers ensures healthy calving and productivity in dairy and beef operations.

synthetic hormone: a hormone manufactured from synthetic materials. Understanding and using synthetic hormones effectively supports healthy plant and livestock growth, enhancing farm productivity.

slurry spreader: a machine which spreads slurry. Using slurry spreaders ensures efficient application of slurry, improving soil fertility and supporting sustainable farming practices.

SEPA: Scottish Environment Protection Agency. Farmers benefit from engaging with SEPA to ensure environmentally sustainable farming practices.

spermicide: a substance that kills spermatozoa. Using spermicides helps farmers manage reproduction in livestock, supporting population control and productivity.

selection: The process of identifying plants or animals with desirable characteristics such as high yield or disease resistance as part of the activity of breeding new varieties. An individual chosen from a group in a breeding programme on the basis of distinctive characteristics. Farmers benefit from selection processes to improve crop and livestock productivity.

shade plants: Plants which prefer to grow in the shade. Farmers benefit from growing shade plants to diversify crops and optimize land use.