Category: S

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.

sow: to put seeds into soil so that they will germinate and grow; a female pig. Proper sowing techniques ensure healthy crop establishment and growth, leading to better yields.

silver-laced Wyandotte: A dual-purpose breed of poultry. The feathers are silvery, with black edges, especially on the tail. Farmers benefit from raising silver-laced Wyandotte poultry for their efficient meat and egg production.

sentient: Capable of feeling and perception. Since 1997 EU law has recognised that animals are sentient, and this concept lies behind the animal welfare codes that set out guidelines for the treatment of farm animals in the United Kingdom. Farmers benefit from understanding sentience for ensuring animal welfare and compliance with regulations.

sciarid fly: A pest (Bradysia) affecting greenhouse pot plants. The larvae feed on fine roots causing plants to wilt. Farmers benefit from controlling sciarid fly to protect greenhouse crops and ensure healthy plant growth.

subculture: a culture of microorganisms or cells that is grown from another culture. Properly managing subcultures ensures effective laboratory practices and supports agricultural research.

soil conservation: the use of a range of methods to prevent soil from being eroded or overcultivated, by irrigation, mulching, etc. Also called conservation of soil. Implementing soil conservation practices ensures long-term soil health and fertility, promoting sustainable agricultural productivity.

saprophyte: An organism that lives and feeds on dead or decaying organic matter, e.g. a fungus. Farmers benefit from saprophytes for natural decomposition and nutrient cycling in soil management.

sack: A measure of capacity, particularly for cereals, equal to four bushels. Farmers benefit from using standardized measurements like sacks for consistent and accurate grain storage and trade.

sap: The fluid that circulates through a plant’s vascular system. Understanding sap flow helps farmers manage plant health and productivity.

scarifier: A machine with tines which stirs the soil surface without turning it over. Farmers benefit from using scarifiers to improve soil aeration and reduce compaction.

seedcase: A hard outside cover that protects the seeds of some plants. Farmers benefit from understanding seedcases for better seed handling and storage.

stover: an inferior type of fodder. Properly managing stover ensures efficient use of all available feed resources, supporting livestock nutrition and farm productivity.

shivering: An affliction of the nervous system with involuntary muscular contractions, usually of the hind legs. It is a progressive condition found in horses. Farmers benefit from understanding and managing shivering in horses to ensure their health and productivity.

soilage: green forage crops that are cut and carried to feed animals grazing on unproductive pastures, in order to supplement their diets. Crops commonly used for soilage are clovers and lucerne. Using soilage supports livestock nutrition, ensuring adequate feed supply and promoting healthy growth and productivity.

subsoil: a layer of soil under the topsoil. COMMENT: The subsoil contains little organic matter but chemical substances from the topsoil leach into it. Properly managing subsoil ensures healthy root growth and soil fertility, supporting productive agriculture.

semiochemical: A chemical released by animals, especially insects, as a means of communication, e.g. a pheromone. Farmers benefit from understanding semiochemicals for pest management and crop protection.

slurry: liquid or semi-liquid waste from animals, stored in tanks or lagoons and treated to be used as fertiliser. Proper management of slurry provides a valuable resource for soil fertility, reducing the need for artificial fertilisers and promoting sustainable farming practices.

stump: tree stump. Properly managing stumps ensures efficient land preparation and crop growth, supporting productive agriculture.