S

sessile: Attached directly to a branch or stem without a stalk. The acorns of a sessile oak tree have no stalks or very short stalks. Farmers benefit from understanding sessile plant structures for better crop management and growth.

stomach digestion: the part of the digestive process which takes place in the animal’s stomach. Properly managing stomach digestion ensures optimal nutrition and health in livestock, supporting productivity and well-being.

semi-digger: A type of mouldboard on a plough. Farmers benefit from using semi-digger mouldboards for efficient and precise ploughing.

staggers: a condition of animals in which they stagger about, as in looping-ill and swayback disease. Grass staggers in cattle is caused by hypomagnesaemia. Managing staggers ensures livestock health and productivity, supporting farm profitability.

stabilisation lagoon: a pond used for storing liquid waste; a pond used for purifying sewage by allowing sunlight to fall on a mixture of sewage and water. Properly managing stabilisation lagoons ensures effective waste treatment and resource recycling, supporting sustainable farming practices.

stock bull: a bull kept for breeding purposes in a pedigree herd. Properly managing stock bulls ensures healthy breeding programs and improves livestock genetics, supporting farm profitability.

soil capping: a hard crust on the surface of the soil which can be caused by heavy rain drops or the passage of heavy farm machinery. Preventing soil capping ensures proper water infiltration and root growth, promoting healthy crops.

salinity: The concentration of salt in an amount of water or soil. Farmers benefit from monitoring and managing soil salinity to ensure healthy plant growth and soil conditions.

soot: a black deposit of fine particles of carbon which rise in the smoke produced by the burning of material such as coal, wood, or oil. Proper management of soot and air quality ensures environmental health and supports sustainable farming practices.

spit: the depth of soil that is dug with a spade. Proper soil management at different depths ensures healthy root growth and overall soil health, supporting productive agriculture.