April 3, 2025
S

Silage Effluent

silage effluent: An acidic liquid produced by the silage process which can be a serious pollutant, especially if it drains into a watercourse. Farmers benefit from managing silage effluent to prevent environmental contamination and ensure sustainable farming practices.

S

Stabilise

stabilise: to take measures to prevent soil being eroded, especially from a hillside. Implementing soil stabilisation techniques protects land resources from erosion, promoting long-term soil health and sustainable agricultural productivity.

S

Scythe

scythe: A hand implement with a long slightly curved blade attached to a handle with two short projecting hand grips. Scythes are now used for cutting grass and were formerly used for reaping. Farmers benefit from using scythes for manual harvesting and grass cutting.

S

Steppe

steppe: a wide grassy plain with no trees, especially in Europe and Asia. (NOTE: The North American equivalent of a steppe is a prairie.) Managing steppes supports sustainable grazing and biodiversity, promoting ecological balance and agricultural productivity.

S

Single Farm Payment Scheme

Single Farm Payment Scheme: An initiative under the CAP which calculates farmersÂ’ subsidies with reference to the amount of land used in production, as well as the total eligible livestock or crop output. It replaces individual subsidy schemes. Abbr SPS. Farmers benefit from engaging with the Single Farm Payment Scheme for financial support and resources in farming operations.

S

Shading

shading: The action of cutting off the light of the sun. Parts of the field near tall trees suffer from shading. In Scotland, shading of weed growth by late-drilled wheats was more important in the spring and early summer than in southern Europe where growers placed more importance on preventing weed growth in the winter and early spring. Farmers benefit from managing shading to optimize crop growth and reduce weed competition.

S

Solari Piggery

Solari piggery: a type of housing for pigs, with fattening pens on each side of a central feeding passage, housed in an open-sided Dutch barn. Proper management of pig housing, such as Solari piggeries, ensures the health and productivity of pigs, supporting efficient livestock production.

S

Scottish Blackface

Scottish Blackface: A very hardy breed of small mountain sheep. The fleece gives a long coarse springy wool, valued for making carpets. Older ewes are crossed with Border Leicester rams to give Greyface hybrids. Farmers benefit from raising Scottish Blackface sheep for their hardiness and valuable wool production.

S

Soil Management

soil management: the study of soilÂ’s physical properties and how to maintain a healthy and functional soil system. Proper soil management ensures long-term soil health and productivity, supporting sustainable agricultural practices.

S

Sterilised Milk

sterilised milk: milk prepared for human consumption by heating in sealed airtight containers to kill all bacteria. See Comment at milk. Properly managing milk sterilisation ensures product safety and quality, supporting consumer health and market value.

S

SPCS

SPCS: abbreviation Seed Potato Classification Scheme. Understanding the Seed Potato Classification Scheme helps farmers ensure high-quality potato production, supporting market value and consumer trust.

S

Subsidy

subsidy: money given by a government or organisation to help an industry, charity, or other organisation. The reform will result in subsidies for farming being replaced by payments for caring for the environment. Understanding and accessing subsidies ensures financial support for farmers, promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

S

Sustainability

sustainability: the ability of a process or human activity to meet present needs but maintain natural resources and leave the environment in good order for future generations. Implementing sustainable practices ensures long-term agricultural productivity and environmental health.

S

Species

species: a group of organisms that can interbreed. A species is a division of a genus. Abbr sp. (NOTE: The plural is species.). Understanding species classifications helps farmers manage biodiversity and select appropriate crops and livestock for their specific conditions.

S

Systemic Acquired Resistance

systemic acquired resistance: an induced resistance to pathogens that develops in uninfected parts of a plant after the infected parts have been treated with a systemic pesticide. Properly managing systemic acquired resistance ensures effective disease control and healthy crop growth, enhancing farm productivity.

S

Strength

strength: the ability of wheat flour to produce a yeasted dough capable of retaining carbon dioxide bubbles until the proteins in the bubble walls become relatively rigid, which happens at about 75°C. The milling quality of wheat is measured by the Hagberg test. Properly managing wheat flour strength ensures high-quality bread production, supporting market value and consumer trust.

S

Sorrel

sorrel: a plant with a sour juice sometimes eaten as a salad. Varieties include the sheep sorrel and the wood sorrel. Cultivating sorrel provides farmers with a versatile crop for fresh and processed markets, enhancing farm income.

S

Systems Approach

systems approach: a method of farming that uses management techniques and technology to optimise the productivity and sustainability of the entire farm. Adopting a systems approach ensures efficient farm operations and long-term productivity.

S

Saturation

saturation: The point at which air contains 100% humidity. The various types of fog are classified by the manner in which saturation is reached. Farmers benefit from monitoring saturation levels for effective irrigation and crop management.

S

Systemic Fungicide

systemic fungicide: a fungicide that is absorbed into the plant through the root or leaf and moves around within the plant, killing fungi. Properly managing systemic fungicides ensures effective disease control and healthy crop growth, enhancing farm productivity.