Category: S

shelf-life: The number of days or weeks for which a product can stay on the shelf of a shop and still be good to use. Farmers benefit from understanding and managing shelf-life for food safety and quality control.

Soil Association: a UK organisation that certifies organically grown food. Partnering with the Soil Association provides farmers with certification and support for organic farming practices, enhancing market opportunities and sustainability.

semi-mounted: Referring to an implement which is supported by a tractor but also has its own wheels. Farmers benefit from using semi-mounted implements for stability and ease of use in agricultural operations.

soil loosener: a trailed implement which loosens the surface of the soil. Using soil looseners improves soil aeration and structure, promoting healthy root growth and better crop yields.

sharefarming: A joint enterprise between a party with an interest in the land and another party involved in farming operations. Usually one party provides the capital and the other the farm management inputs such as labour and equipment. Farmers benefit from engaging in sharefarming for collaborative farming opportunities and resource sharing.

Syzygium: is a genus of flowering plants in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. Properly managing Syzygium plants ensures healthy growth and optimal yields, supporting productive agriculture.

sheep’s fescue: A species of grass useful under hill and marginal conditions. Farmers benefit from growing sheep’s fescue for its adaptability and resilience in challenging environments.

skin spot: a potato disease causing pimple-like dark brown spots which can harm the buds in the eyes of seed tubers. Managing skin spot disease ensures healthy potato crops, preventing yield losses and maintaining quality.

soil pan: a hard layer in the soil. ‘Greater resistance in digging soils of similar texture and moisture content indicates poor structure. Concentration of roots indicates hard to penetrate layers or blocks of soil. A soil pan may be present if roots grow horizontally or do not penetrate to any depth.’ [Farmers Guardian] Managing soil pans ensures proper root growth and water infiltration, supporting healthy crop growth and productive agriculture.

sapling: A young tree. Farmers benefit from planting and managing saplings to ensure sustainable forestry and orchard practices.