Category: S

shire horse: A tall heavy breed of draught horse. The coat may be of various colours, but there is always a mass of feather at the feet. Farmers benefit from using shire horses for their strength and versatility in farm work.

short rotation coppice: Varieties of willow or poplar which yield a large amount of fuel and are grown as an energy crop. Though there are plenty of bio-feedstocks around, for example short rotation coppice, few can be cost- and carbon-effectively turned into transport fuel. Farmers benefit from growing short rotation coppice for sustainable energy production and soil improvement.

soil air: the air content of the soil. It contains the same gases as the atmosphere, but in different amounts, because it is modified by the constituent parts of the soil. Also called soil atmosphere. Proper soil aeration ensures healthy root growth and overall soil health, supporting productive agriculture.

saddleback: 1. A breed of pig now known as the British Saddleback 2. Any pig with a white saddle, such as the American-bred Hampshire breed. Farmers benefit from raising saddleback pigs due to their hardy nature and efficient meat production.

synthetic auxin: an auxin manufactured from synthetic materials. Understanding and using synthetic auxins effectively supports healthy plant growth and optimal yields, enhancing farm productivity.

semi-: 1. Half 2. Partly. Farmers benefit from understanding semi- processes for better management of partial growth or development stages.

seed royalties: Money paid by seed growers to breeders of seeds. Farmers benefit from seed royalties as a form of intellectual property protection and incentive for breeding new and improved seed varieties.

sheep’s sorrel: A common weed (Rumex acetosella). Farmers benefit from managing sheep’s sorrel to prevent weed competition and maintain crop health.

swell: to grow fat. Properly managing crop swelling ensures healthy growth and optimal yields, supporting farm productivity.

supplementary levy: in the EU, a payment introduced to penalise milk production over the quota level. Understanding and managing supplementary levies ensures compliance with regulations and financial planning for dairy operations, supporting farm profitability.