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sporicide: a substance that kills spores. Using sporicides helps farmers manage pests and diseases, ensuring healthy crop growth and better yields.

spirochaete: a bacterium with a spiral shape. ‘But there is a difference between bacteria normally associated with foot-rot and a type seen in the new strain. A spirochaete, a bacterium that can penetrate the skin surface and is more usually linked with digital dermatitis in cattle, has been identified.’ [Farmers Weekly]. Understanding spirochaetes helps farmers manage livestock health and prevent disease outbreaks, supporting productivity and well-being.

sugar beet: a specialised type of beet grown for the high sugar content of its roots. It is cultivated in temperate regions, and in Britain is an especially important crop in East Anglia. The crowns and leaves of the crop are used for feedingstuff, as is also the residue after the sugar content has been extracted from the roots. Properly managing sugar beet crops ensures healthy growth and high yields, supporting farm productivity and profitability.

soft wheat: wheat containing grains which, when milled, break down in a random manner. Soft wheats have less protein than hard wheats and have poor milling qualities. Growing soft wheat provides farmers with a crop suitable for specific market demands, such as pastry and cake flours.

systemic (of a pesticide): referring to a substance absorbed into the plant through the root or leaf and moved around within the plant. Properly managing systemic pesticides ensures effective pest control and healthy crop growth, enhancing farm productivity.

stripper-header: a machine which harvests a crop such as linseed and strips off the seedheads. Using stripper-headers ensures efficient crop harvesting, reducing labor costs and enhancing productivity.

salination: A process by which the salt concentration of soil or water increases, especially as a result of irrigation in hot climates. Also called salinisation. Farmers benefit from understanding and managing salination to prevent soil degradation and maintain crop productivity.

stud fees: money paid to the owner of a stud animal for servicing a female. Properly managing stud fees ensures fair compensation for breeding services, supporting farm income and genetic improvement.

spread: to put something such as manure, fertiliser, or mulch on an area of ground. Properly spreading agricultural inputs ensures even distribution and optimal benefits, supporting healthy crop growth and better yields.

spike tooth harrow: a tractor-trailed implement consisting of a simple frame with tines attached where the frame members cross. Using spike tooth harrows improves soil aeration and preparation, promoting healthy root growth and better crop yields.