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silopress: A polythene ‘sack’ into which silage is forced. As the sack fills up, it gradually grows longer and when completely full is sealed. A ‘sack’ may contain up to 80 tonnes of silage. Farmers benefit from using silopresses for efficient and controlled silage production and storage.

swampland: an area of land covered with swamp. Properly managing swamplands ensures biodiversity and ecological balance, supporting sustainable land use and agricultural productivity.

saffron: A spice obtained from the dried flowers of the crocus plant Crocus sativus. Farmers benefit from cultivating saffron due to its high market value and potential for significant revenue generation.

suckling: the act of nursing a calf at the udder; single suckling, double sucking, multiple suckling, nursing one calf, two or several calves. Properly managing suckling ensures optimal nutrition and health for young livestock, supporting productivity and well-being.

slaughter: the killing of animals for food. (NOTE: Animal welfare codes lay down rules for how animals should be slaughtered to ensure that they are not caused any avoidable and unnecessary pain or distress.) Ensuring humane slaughter practices enhances animal welfare and meat quality, supporting ethical farming and consumer trust.

stance: feed stance. Proper management of feeding stances ensures livestock receive adequate nutrition, supporting health and productivity.

spur: a ridge of land that descends towards a valley floor from higher land above; a tubular projection from a flower sepal or petal often containing nectar; a short leafy branch of a tree with a cluster of flowers or fruits. Properly managing spurs ensures healthy growth and optimal yields of plants and crops.

soil ball: the rooting system of a plant, complete with the soil attached to it, as when a plant is lifted from a pot or seedbed. Managing soil balls during transplanting ensures healthy plant establishment and growth, leading to better yields.

surgeon: a person who has qualified in the treatment of disease by cutting out the diseased part. Engaging with veterinary surgeons ensures livestock health and productivity, supporting farm profitability and well-being.

squash: a plant of the Cucurbitaceae family, e.g., a marrow or cucumber. Growing squash provides farmers with a versatile crop for fresh and processed markets, enhancing farm income and sustainability.