Category: S

spray: a mass of tiny drops of liquid; special liquid for spraying onto a plant to prevent insect infestation or disease; to send out a liquid in a mass of tiny drops; to send out a special liquid onto a plant to prevent insect infestation or disease. Using sprays effectively helps farmers manage pests and diseases, ensuring healthy crop growth and better yields.

sucrose: a sugar that is abundant in many plants, which consists of one molecule of glucose joined to one of fructose. Understanding sucrose content in crops supports nutritional value and marketability, enhancing farm profitability.

soil pH: A measure of the acidity or alkalinity of soil. Managing soil pH ensures optimal nutrient availability for crops.

stockman: a farm worker who looks after animals, especially cattle. (NOTE: Animal welfare codes lay down rules about how well-trained stockmen should be in order to ensure the good health and welfare of the animals or birds in their care.) Properly training and managing stockmen ensures livestock health and productivity, supporting farm profitability and ethical farming practices.

spike: a tall pointed flower head (inflorescence) in which small flowers without stalks grow from a central flower stem; a pointed end of a pole or piece of metal. Understanding the structure of spikes helps farmers manage plant growth and optimize yields.

suckle: to feed with milk from the udder. Properly managing suckling ensures optimal nutrition and health for young livestock, supporting productivity and well-being.

soft rot: a bacterium, Erwinia carotovora, which affects stored potatoes and carrots. The cell walls dissolve causing the vegetables to become mushy, slimy, and foul-smelling. Managing soft rot ensures healthy storage of root crops, preventing losses and maintaining quality.

seed coat: Same as testa. Farmers benefit from understanding seed coats for better seed handling and storage.

sweet corn: a type of maize in which the grains contain a large amount of sugar rather than starch. It is grown for human consumption. Also called corn on the cob. Properly managing sweet corn crops ensures healthy growth and high yields, supporting farm productivity and profitability.

sappy: Referring to tree trunks or branches, or wood, that are full of sap. Farmers benefit from recognizing sappy wood for identifying tree health and suitability for various uses.

silvicide: A substance which kills trees. Farmers benefit from using silvicides for managing unwanted tree growth and maintaining crop health.

staphylococcal: caused by staphylococci. Managing staphylococcal infections in livestock ensures health and productivity, supporting farm profitability.

stability: the state of being stable and not changing. Maintaining stability in agricultural practices supports consistent productivity and economic resilience for farmers.

sustainable yield: the greatest productivity that can be derived from a renewable resource without depleting the supply in a specific area. Properly managing sustainable yields ensures long-term productivity and resource conservation, supporting farm profitability and environmental health.

SVSSVS: abbreviation State Veterinary Service. Engaging with the State Veterinary Service ensures compliance with health and welfare regulations, supporting livestock productivity and farm sustainability.

SFPS: Single Farm Payment Scheme. Farmers benefit from engaging with SFPS for financial support and resources in farming operations.

sandstone: A sedimentary rock formed of round particles of quartz. Farmers benefit from recognizing sandstone presence for understanding soil characteristics and geological impacts on farming.

seconds: Grain of medium size. Farmers benefit from managing seconds to ensure high-quality grain production.

stolon: a stem that grows along the ground and gives rise to a new plant when it roots. Properly managing stolons ensures healthy plant propagation and optimal yields, supporting productive agriculture.

surface runoff: a flow of rainwater, melted snow, or excess fertiliser from the surface of land into streams and rivers. Properly managing surface runoff ensures water conservation and prevents soil erosion, supporting sustainable farming practices.

silvi-: Trees or woods. Farmers benefit from understanding silvi- related processes for sustainable forestry and crop management.

shearling: A young sheep which has been sheared for the first time. Farmers benefit from managing shearling sheep for efficient wool production and livestock growth.

spaced plant: a plant grown in a row so that its canopy does not touch or overlap that of any other plant. Properly spacing plants ensures healthy growth and reduces competition for resources, leading to better yields.

shed: 1. To separate one or more animals from a flock or herd 2. To let leaves or grain fall. Farmers benefit from managing shedding for livestock health and crop management.

shoe: To make, fit and fix horseshoes to the feet of a horse. Farmers benefit from shoeing horses for their protection and performance in farm work.

sludge composting: the decomposition of sewage for use as a fertiliser or mulch. Using sludge composting techniques provides farmers with a sustainable method for recycling waste and enhancing soil fertility.

straw chopper: a device fitted to the back of a combine which chops straw into short lengths and drops it on the stubble. Chopped straw is easier to plough in. Using straw choppers ensures efficient straw management and soil preparation, supporting productive agriculture.

swede: a vegetable (Brassica rutabaga) with a swollen root. An important forage crop, it is grown for feeding sheep and cattle, either in the field or as winter feed for housed livestock. Swedes have a slightly higher feeding value and keep better than turnips, so they are often lifted and clamped. Properly managing swede crops ensures healthy growth and high yields, supporting farm productivity and profitability.

scab: 1. A disease of which the scab is a symptom. It affects the skin of animals. 2. A fungal disease of fruit and vegetables, including potato scab and apple and pear scab. Farmers benefit from preventing and treating scab to maintain the health of their livestock and crops.

sheep: A ruminant of the genus Ovis, family Bovidae. It is one of many domesticated varieties, farmed for their wool, meat and milk. Most sheep in the UK are kept for meat, and milk production is relatively unimportant. Wool is an important byproduct of sheep farming in the UK, but is the main product of sheep in some other countries, such as Australia. In 2005 the total sheep population of the UK was approximately 40 million, accounting for 30% of all sheep in the EU member states. Sheep are kept under a wide range of environmental and management conditions, from coastal lowland areas such as Romney Marsh to the upland areas of Wales, Scotland and the North of England. Lambs from the upland areas are moved to lowland farms for fattening. In the UK, a great many breeds of sheep have survived and there are some 50 recognised breeds as well as a variety of local types and many crossbreds. More recently, the introduction of continental breeds has increased the variety. A broad classification into three main categories may be made: the long-woolled breeds which include the Romney, Lincoln and Leicester; the short-woolled breeds including the Southdown, Dorset Down and Suffolk, and the mountain, moorland and hill breeds which include the Cheviot, Radnor, Scottish Blackface, Swaledale and Welsh Mountain. Farmers benefit from raising sheep for their versatile products, including meat, wool, and milk, and their adaptability to various environmental conditions.

summer: the season following spring and before autumn, when the weather is warmest, the sun is highest in the sky, and most plants flower and set seed. Properly managing summer crops ensures healthy growth and optimal yields, supporting farm productivity.

short ton: US same as ton. Farmers benefit from understanding and using standardized measurements like short tons for consistent and accurate trade and storage.

S symbol sulphur: Sulphur is an essential element for plant growth, contributing to the formation of proteins and enzymes. Farmers benefit from understanding sulphur’s role in maintaining soil health and enhancing crop yield.

saprophagous: Referring to organisms that feed on decaying organic matter. Farmers benefit from saprophagous organisms by utilizing natural decomposition processes to enrich soil fertility.

soil contamination: the presence of chemical or biological elements which affect the soil’s natural function. Preventing soil contamination ensures healthy crop growth and protects the environment, supporting sustainable farming practices.

scour: To wash wool to remove grease and contaminants. Farmers benefit from scouring wool to produce high-quality fleece for the market.

selective herbicide: A weedkiller which is designed to kill only plants with specific characteristics and not others. Farmers benefit from using selective herbicides to control weeds without harming crops.

spore: the microscopic reproductive body of fungi, bacteria, and some non-flowering plants such as ferns. COMMENT: Spores are produced by plants such as ferns or by algae and fungi. They are microscopic and float in the air or water until they find a resting place where they can germinate. Managing spores helps farmers prevent disease outbreaks and ensure healthy crop growth, supporting productivity and quality.

scraper: A steel-framed attachment for a tractor. It has a rubber scraping edge, and is used for heavy duty work, clearing slurry from farmyards. Farmers benefit from using scrapers to maintain clean and hygienic farmyards.

short-grain rice: Varieties of rice with short grains, grown in cooler climates such as Japan. Farmers benefit from growing short-grain rice for its market demand and suitability to specific climates.

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

straight: an animal foodstuff composed of one type of food. Properly managing straight feed ensures specific nutritional needs of livestock are met, supporting health and productivity.

sclerotic: Referring to the hardening and thickening process in plant cell walls that makes stems woody. Farmers benefit from understanding sclerotic changes to manage crop quality and growth.

share: Same as ploughshare. Farmers benefit from using shares for efficient and precise ploughing.

separated milk: Milk from which the cream has been removed. Also called skimmed milk. Farmers benefit from producing separated milk for its dietary uses and market demand.

semen: In mammals, a thick pale fluid containing spermatozoa, produced by the testes and ejaculated from the penis. Farmers benefit from understanding semen composition and quality for effective breeding and livestock management.

sulphur deficiency: a lack of sulphur in the soil, leading to deficiency in plants. Properly managing sulphur deficiency ensures healthy crop growth and prevents yield losses, supporting farm productivity.

stakeholder: a person who has an interest in something such as a new environmental policy and is personally affected by how successful it is and how difficult it is to put in place. Engaging with stakeholders ensures collaborative decision-making and support for sustainable agricultural practices.

sheen: The bright shiny appearance of a surface, used of fruit, animals’ coats, meat, etc. Farmers benefit from understanding sheen as an indicator of quality and health in produce and livestock.

sulphate of ammonia: same as ammonium sulphate. Understanding and using ammonium sulphate effectively supports soil fertility and healthy crop growth, enhancing farm productivity.