Category: S

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.