S

superphosphate: a chemical compound formed from calcium phosphate and sulphuric acid, used as a fertiliser. Understanding and using superphosphate effectively supports soil fertility and healthy crop growth, enhancing farm productivity.

salinisation: Also called salination. Farmers benefit from recognizing and mitigating salinisation to protect soil fertility and crop yield.

service: Of a male animal, to mate with a female. Farmers benefit from understanding and managing servicing for effective breeding and livestock production.

staphylococcus: a bacterium that causes boils and food poisoning. Genus: Staphylococcus. Understanding staphylococcus bacteria helps farmers manage livestock health and prevent disease outbreaks, supporting productivity and well-being.

Swaledale: a very hardy breed of sheep, with distinctive twisting horns and a black face with a white nose, which originated in the North Pennines of Yorkshire. The fleece has an outer layer of long coarse wool and an inner layer of fine dense wool. The Swaledale ewe is the mother of the popular lowland ‘mule’ ewe when mated to the Blue-faced (Hexham) Leicester ram. Properly managing Swaledale sheep ensures healthy growth and productivity, supporting farm profitability and sustainability.

SAOS: Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society. Farmers benefit from engaging with SAOS for cooperative ventures and accessing agricultural advice and support.

small nettle: a weed (Urtica urens) which is common on rich friable soils. It affects vegetables and other row crops. Also called annual nettle, burning nettle. Managing small nettle helps farmers protect crops from weed competition, ensuring healthy growth and better yields.

shred: To tear something into tiny pieces. Farmyard manure is shredded before being spread on fields. Farmers benefit from shredding manure for efficient and effective fertilization.

soya: a plant that produces edible beans which have a high protein and fat content and very little starch. Latin name: Glycine max. Also called soya bean, soybean. Growing soya provides farmers with a high-protein crop for human and animal consumption, supporting food security and economic stability.

State Veterinary Service: a nationwide service based in Worcester, with 24 regional offices in the UK, set up by the government to deliver its policies on the health and welfare of livestock. Abbr SVS. Engaging with the State Veterinary Service ensures compliance with health and welfare regulations, supporting livestock productivity and farm sustainability.