Category: S

staple length: the length of the wool fibre. Properly managing staple length ensures high-quality wool production, supporting farm income and market value.

suitcase farmer: US a farmer who lives some distance from his or her holding, i.e., more than 30 miles. Properly managing suitcase farming operations ensures efficient farm management and productivity, supporting farm profitability.

self-sufficient: Able to provide enough food and other necessary materials for a family, often by means of a simple traditional way of farming with little use of modern technology. We’re self-sufficient in salad crops from the garden in the summer time. Able to provide the required quantity of a product locally or for yourself, without needing to purchase or import it. The country is self-sufficient in barley. Farmers benefit from achieving self-sufficiency for food security and sustainability.

spice: a substance used as a flavouring in cooking, made from the pungent or aromatic parts of plants. Spices are obtained from seeds, fruit, flowers, roots, bark, or buds of plants. The commonest are pepper, mustard, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg. Growing spices provides farmers with high-value crops for diverse markets, enhancing farm income and sustainability.

swath: a row of grass or other plants lying on the ground after being cut; a row of potatoes which have been lifted and left lying on the ground. Properly managing swaths ensures efficient harvesting and crop quality, supporting farm productivity.

sling: a type of harness that is used to support the weight of an animal that is suffering from some kind of disability. Using slings aids in the recovery and mobility of injured livestock, enhancing animal welfare and productivity.

SCRI: Scottish Crop Research Institute. Farmers benefit from the research conducted by SCRI to improve crop yields and pest management.

Scottish Environment Protection Agency: A public body with responsibility for the protection of Scotland’s natural landscape and resources. Abbr SEPA. Farmers benefit from engaging with SEPA to ensure environmentally sustainable farming practices.

second cut: Grass which has been cut a second time in the season for hay or silage. Farmers benefit from managing second cuts to optimize forage quality and yield.

seedling: A young plant that has recently grown from a seed. Farmers benefit from managing seedlings for successful crop establishment.

stages of growth: same as growth stages. Understanding the stages of growth in crops and livestock helps farmers optimize management practices for better yields and productivity.

sewage sludge: The solid or semi-solid part of sewage. Farmers benefit from using sewage sludge as a fertilizer for soil improvement.

secrete: To produce a substance such as a hormone, oil or enzyme. Farmers benefit from understanding secretion processes to manage livestock health and productivity.

SMD: abbreviation 1. soil moisture deficit 2. standard man day. Monitoring soil moisture deficits helps farmers optimize irrigation practices, ensuring crops receive adequate water without overuse.

Salmonella: A genus of bacteria found in the intestines, which are acquired by eating contaminated food. Different species cause food poisoning and typhoid fever. Farmers benefit from understanding and preventing Salmonella infections to ensure food safety and public health.

spiked: referring to a farm implement with spikes, e.g., a spiked chain harrow. Using spiked implements improves soil aeration and preparation, promoting healthy root growth and better crop yields.

scar: A mark left on the skin surface after a wound has healed. Farmers benefit from recognizing scars in livestock to monitor past injuries and health status.

Sardinian: An important breed of Italian sheep which provides milk for the manufacture of cheese. Farmers benefit from raising Sardinian sheep for high-quality milk production and cheese making.

synthetic: not natural, but made from chemical substances. Understanding and using synthetic materials effectively supports efficient farm operations and productivity.

speckle: a small spot. Beulah speckle face. Managing speckle conditions in livestock ensures healthy skin and overall well-being, supporting productivity.

soft fruit: a general term for all fruits and berries that grow on bushes and canes, have a relatively soft flesh, and so cannot be kept, except in some cases by freezing. Typical soft fruit are raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries, and the various currants. Growing soft fruits provides farmers with high-value crops for fresh and processed markets, enhancing farm income.

sheaf: A bundle of corn stalks tied together after reaping. The plural is sheaves. Farmers benefit from managing sheaves for efficient grain collection and storage.

superlevy: same as supplementary levy. Understanding and managing superlevies ensures compliance with regulations and financial planning for dairy operations, supporting farm profitability.

soil organic matter: decayed or decaying vegetation that forms part of soil. Abbr SOM. Maintaining soil organic matter enhances soil fertility and structure, promoting healthy crop growth and sustainable agriculture.

silkworm: A moth larva which produces silk thread. Farmers benefit from raising silkworms for the production of valuable silk products.

silage additive: A substance containing bacteria and/or chemicals, used to speed up or improve the fermentation process in silage or to increase the amount of nutrients in it. Farmers benefit from using silage additives to enhance silage quality and nutrient content.

self-blanching celery: A variety of celery where the stalks are naturally white, and do not need to be earthed up. Farmers benefit from growing self-blanching celery for ease of cultivation and market preference.

SDA: Severely Disadvantaged Area. Farmers benefit from receiving support and resources for farming in SDAs to ensure sustainable agriculture and rural development.

slurry gun: a powerful spraying device that spreads slurry. Compare rain gun. Using slurry guns ensures even distribution of slurry, improving soil fertility and crop growth.

self-sufficiency: A simple traditional way of farming with little use of modern technology that provides only enough food and other necessary materials for a family. Farmers benefit from achieving self-sufficiency for food security and sustainability.

soilless gardening: same as hydroponics. Using soilless gardening techniques provides farmers with innovative methods for growing crops, enhancing productivity and sustainability.

scarecrow: A figure shaped like a man, wearing old clothes, put in fields to keep birds away from growing crops. Farmers benefit from using scarecrows to protect crops from bird damage.

stem rust: a disease of wheat, infecting the stem. Managing stem rust ensures healthy wheat crops, preventing yield losses and maintaining quality.

swardsman: a farm worker who looks after or grows pasture. Properly managing and training swardsmen ensures healthy pasture growth and livestock productivity, supporting sustainable farming practices.

SCF: 1. Scottish Crofting Foundation 2. Separate concentrate feeding. Farmers benefit from SCF by receiving support and resources for sustainable farming practices.

self-seeded: Referring to a plant that grows from seed that has fallen to the ground naturally rather than being sown intentionally. Several self-seeded poppies have come up in the vegetable garden. Farmers benefit from managing self-seeded plants for natural regeneration and biodiversity.

sty: a structure for housing pigs, usually with a small run next to it. Also called pigsty. Properly managing sties ensures pig health and productivity, supporting efficient livestock operations.

square ploughing: a method of ploughing suitable for large areas. A piece of land is ploughed in the centre of a field and then the field is ploughed in a clockwise direction starting from this central point. Using square ploughing techniques ensures efficient soil preparation and promotes healthy crop growth.

sex organs: Organs which are associated with reproduction and sexual intercourse. Farmers benefit from understanding sex organs for effective breeding and livestock management.

sub-: less important than; lower than. Understanding the use of the prefix “sub-” helps farmers accurately describe and manage various agricultural practices and resources.

strippings: the last drops of milk from a cow’s teats at the end of milking session. Properly managing strippings ensures milk hygiene and quality, supporting dairy productivity and consumer health.

saddle: A supportive structure for a rider or load on the back of an animal, typically a horse. Proper saddle use ensures the comfort and safety of both rider and animal.

SOM: abbreviation soil organic matter. Maintaining soil organic matter enhances soil fertility and structure, promoting healthy crop growth and sustainable agriculture.

sieve: A garden implement with a base made of mesh or with perforations through which fine particles can pass while coarse material is retained. Compare riddle. To pass soil, etc. through a sieve to produce a fine tilth, or to remove the soil from root crops such as potatoes. Farmers benefit from using sieves for soil preparation and crop cleaning.

stubble: the short stems left in the ground after a crop such as wheat or oilseed rape has been cut. Properly managing stubble ensures efficient soil preparation and recycling of crop residues, supporting productive agriculture.

sp.: abbreviation species (NOTE: The plural, for several species, is spp.). Understanding species classifications helps farmers manage biodiversity and select appropriate crops and livestock for their specific conditions.

South Devon: the heaviest breed of British cattle, with a light brownish-red colour. It was originally a dual-purpose breed, but now is mainly raised for beef. Raising South Devon cattle provides farmers with a robust breed for beef production, supporting farm profitability.

spikelet: part of the flower head of plants such as grass, attached to the main stem without a stalk. Properly managing spikelets ensures healthy growth and optimal yields of grass crops.

Sporozoa: a type of parasitic Protozoa which includes Plasmodium, the cause of malaria. Understanding Sporozoa helps farmers manage livestock health and prevent disease outbreaks, supporting productivity and well-being.

summer mastitis: an infection of the udder thought to be spread by biting flies. Cows become very ill, lameness may occur and milk is watery and later bloody. Properly managing summer mastitis ensures dairy cow health and milk quality, supporting farm productivity.