Category: S

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.

SCP: 1. Sustainable consumption and production 2. Suckler Cow Premium Scheme. Farmers benefit from engaging with SCP for support and resources in sustainable farming practices.

self-purification: The ability of water to clean itself of polluting substances. Farmers benefit from understanding self-purification processes for sustainable water management.

sheep-dip: A chemical preparation used in a dipping bath to disinfect sheep to control diseases such as sheep scab. All sheep in Britain are dipped for scale once a year, following the ministerial decision to have a single national dip. Dipping ceased to be compulsory in the UK in 1992. It is illegal to buy organophosphorous sheep-dip without a certificate of competence. Farmers benefit from using sheep-dip to control diseases and maintain livestock health.

struck: an acute disease of sheep which is a form of entero-toxaemia. It affects sheep which are one to two years old and is very localised. In Britain, it occurs only in the Romney Marsh and in some Welsh valleys. Managing struck ensures sheep health and productivity, supporting farm profitability.

set stocking: A grazing system associated with extensive grazing. Livestock graze an area where they remain for an indefinite period. This is the traditional practice in Britain. Farmers benefit from using set stocking systems for efficient and consistent livestock grazing.

sulphate: a salt of sulphuric acid and a metal. Understanding and using sulphates effectively supports soil fertility and healthy crop growth, enhancing farm productivity.

stall: a single compartment in a stable or cowshed, where an animal can stand or lie down. Properly managing animal stalls ensures livestock health and comfort, supporting productivity and welfare.

spine: a pointed structure that is either a modified leaf, as in cacti, or part of a leaf or leaf base. Properly managing plants with spines ensures healthy growth and optimal yields, supporting productive agriculture.

smut: a disease of cereal plants, caused by a fungus, that affects the development of the grain and makes it look black. Managing smut diseases ensures healthy cereal crops, preventing yield losses and maintaining quality.

smoke: to preserve food by hanging it in the smoke from a fire. (NOTE: Smoking is used mainly for fish, but also for some bacon and cheese.) Using traditional smoking methods preserves food quality and extends shelf life, providing value-added products for farmers.

spading machine: a machine which uses rotating digger blades to cultivate compacted topsoil and dig out pans created by other cultivators. Using spading machines improves soil aeration and structure, promoting healthy root growth and better crop yields.

sustainable production processes: agricultural production methods which do not damage or deplete natural resources. Adopting sustainable production processes ensures long-term productivity and environmental health, supporting farm profitability.

SFPA: Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency. Farmers benefit from engaging with SFPA for support and resources in sustainable fisheries management.

spinach beet: a plant similar to sugar beet, but grown for its leaves which are cooked in the same way as spinach. Growing spinach beet provides farmers with a versatile crop for fresh and processed markets, enhancing farm income and sustainability.

seepage: Slow oozing out of ground water from the soil surface. Farmers benefit from managing seepage to prevent soil and water contamination.

Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food: a scheme administered by Defra which promotes sustainable, ecologically sound farming methods, and provides funding for relevant training and modernisation. Understanding and engaging with sustainability strategies ensures farmers adopt practices that support long-term productivity and environmental health.

sterilise: to make something sterile by killing the microorganisms in it or on it; to make an organism unable to have offspring (NOTE: This may be done by various means including drugs, surgery, or irradiation.). Properly managing sterilisation ensures biosecurity and prevents disease outbreaks, supporting livestock health and productivity.

serve: Of a male animal, to mate with a female. Farmers benefit from understanding and managing serving for effective breeding and livestock production.

spruce-larch adelgid: a relative of the aphid, which may cause serious damage on spruce grown for Christmas trees (Adelges viridis). Managing spruce-larch adelgid populations ensures healthy growth and quality of spruce trees, supporting market value and productivity.

sustainable energy: energy produced from renewable resources that does not deplete natural resources. Adopting sustainable energy practices ensures responsible resource use and supports farm sustainability.

stocking rate: a measure of the carrying capacity of an area in terms of the number of livestock in it at a given time, e.g., the number of animals per hectare. Properly managing stocking rates ensures sustainable grazing and livestock productivity, supporting farm profitability.

shredder: A machine for shredding waste vegetable matter before composting. Farmers benefit from using shredders for efficient composting and soil improvement.

sex-linked: Referring to a genetically inherited characteristic that appears in only one sex. Farmers benefit from understanding sex-linked traits for managing genetic traits in breeding programs.

seed ripeness: The stage at which the seed can be harvested successfully. Farmers benefit from understanding seed ripeness for timely and successful seed collection.

soil improvement: the practice of making the soil more fertile by methods such as draining and manuring. Implementing soil improvement techniques enhances soil health and fertility, supporting productive agriculture.

side rake: A machine which picks up two swaths and combines them into one before baling. Farmers benefit from using side rakes for efficient hay and forage management.

sheep run: An extensive area used for sheep grazing, especially in New Zealand and Australia. Farmers benefit from managing sheep runs for efficient and sustainable grazing practices.

scurs: Small horns that are not part of the animal’s skull but are attached to the skin. Farmers benefit from understanding scurs for livestock health and breeding management.

spraybar: an attachment consisting of a horizontal tube with nozzles or jets, used for spraying over a wide area. Using spraybars ensures even distribution of sprays, improving pest and disease control and supporting healthy crop growth.

stubble burning: formerly, a method of removing dry stubble by burning it before ploughing. Stubble burning was banned under the Crop Residues (Burning) Regulations of 1993. COMMENT: Stubble burning has the advantage of removing weed seeds and creating a certain amount of natural fertiliser which can be ploughed into the soil. The disadvantage is that it pollutes the atmosphere with smoke, reducing visibility on roads and releasing large amounts of carbon dioxide. This, together with the possible danger that the fire may get out of control, killing small animals and burning trees and crops, means that it is not recommended as a means of dealing with the stalks of harvested plants. Properly managing stubble burning ensures compliance with environmental regulations and supports sustainable farming practices.

suckler herd: a herd of beef cattle, where each dam suckles its own calf or calves. Properly managing suckler herds ensures healthy growth and productivity in beef operations, supporting farm profitability.

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