S

stud farm: a farm where horses are kept for breeding. Properly managing stud farms ensures healthy breeding programs and improves livestock genetics, supporting farm profitability.

summer feeding: the feeding of cattle on permanent pastures in the summer months. Properly managing summer feeding ensures efficient use of pastures and livestock productivity, supporting farm profitability.

synthetic fertiliser: a fertiliser made from synthetic materials. Compare organic fertiliser. Understanding and using synthetic fertilisers effectively supports soil fertility and healthy crop growth, enhancing farm productivity.

saprophytic: Referring to organisms that live and feed on dead or decaying organic matter. Farmers benefit from understanding saprophytic relationships for improving soil health and organic farming practices.

sustainable development: development that balances the satisfaction of people’s immediate interests and the protection of future generations’ interests. Engaging in sustainable development ensures long-term agricultural productivity and environmental health.

Scottish Crop Research Institute: A company which researches fertilisers and plant growth regulators, pests, pesticides and the genetic modification of crops. Abbr SCRI. Farmers benefit from the research conducted by SCRI to improve crop yields and pest management.

screenings: Grains which are small and pass through the sieve when grain is screened. Farmers benefit from managing screenings to ensure high-quality grain production.

spoil: (of food) to rot or decay. Proper storage and handling of food products prevent spoilage, ensuring quality and reducing losses.

seed potato: A potato tuber which is sown to produce new plants. In the UK, these are grown mainly in Scotland, and produced under a certification scheme (the Seed Potato Classification Scheme). Farmers benefit from using certified seed potatoes for disease-free and high-quality potato crops.

Sitka spruce: a temperate softwood coniferous tree that is fast-growing, used for making paper. Latin name: Picea sitchensis. Cultivating Sitka spruce provides farmers with a renewable source of timber and pulp, supporting sustainable forestry practices and economic growth.