S

spinach: an annual plant (Spinacia oleracea) grown for its succulent green leaves and eaten as a vegetable. Growing spinach provides farmers with a high-value crop for fresh markets, enhancing farm income and supporting healthy diets.

sooty mould: a fungal disease of wheat (Cladosporium). Managing sooty mould ensures healthy wheat crops, preventing yield losses and maintaining quality.

Sussex: a beef breed of cattle, similar to the North Devon, that is hardy and adaptable. Dark cherry red in colour, they were originally used as draught animals in preference to draught horses. Properly managing Sussex cattle ensures healthy growth and productivity, supporting farm profitability and sustainability.

seasonal farming: Farming practices that vary with the seasons to optimize crop and livestock production. Seasonal farming helps align agricultural activities with environmental conditions.

sheep tick: A small wingless dipterous insect, parasitic on sheep. Also called sheep ked. Farmers benefit from managing sheep tick infestations to protect livestock health and productivity.

shelter: A structure or feature providing protection from wind, sun, rain or other weather conditions. Farmers benefit from providing shelters to protect crops and livestock from adverse weather conditions.

singling: 1. The process of reducing the number of plants in a row 2. The process of reducing the number of plants from a multigerm seed to a single plant. Farmers benefit from managing singling for efficient and effective crop production.

shank: The lower part of a horse’s leg between the knee and the foot. Farmers benefit from understanding shank anatomy for effective horse management and care.

Se: Se symbol selenium. Selenium is a trace element essential for animal health. Farmers benefit from understanding selenium’s role in preventing deficiencies and ensuring livestock productivity.

Scottish halfbreed: A crossbred type of sheep obtained by using a Border Leicester ram on a Cheviot ewe. They are used widely in lowland Britain. Farmers benefit from raising Scottish halfbreeds for their adaptability and efficient meat and wool production.