Category: S

sustainable tourism: the management of tourist activities to ensure minimum disruption of local infrastructure and environment. Understanding and engaging in sustainable tourism practices ensures responsible resource use and supports rural economies.

silks: The long thin styles of the female flowers of the maize plant. Farmers benefit from understanding maize silks for effective pollination and crop management.

six-tooth sheep: a sheep between two and three years old. Managing sheep at different stages of growth, such as six-tooth sheep, helps farmers optimize breeding programs and improve flock health and productivity.

snail: a mollusc of the class Gastropoda. It is a pest which can be controlled by molluscicides. Managing snail populations protects crops from damage, ensuring healthy growth and better yields.

steam up: to feed a cow before it calves, to prepare it for the next lactation. Properly managing steam-up practices ensures healthy calving and productivity in dairy operations.

scabies: A very irritating infection of the skin caused by a mite which lives under the skin. Farmers benefit from recognizing and treating scabies to ensure livestock welfare and productivity.

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.

salinised: Referring to soil where evaporation leaves salts as a crust on the dry surface. Farmers benefit from addressing salinised soils to prevent reduced agricultural productivity.

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.

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.