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stock farming: the rearing of livestock for sale. Properly managing stock farming operations ensures healthy growth and productivity, supporting farm profitability and sustainability.

skim coulter: the part of a plough which turns a small slice off the corner of the furrow about to be turned and throws it into the bottom of the one before. It is attached to the beam behind the disc coulters. Using skim coulters improves soil aeration and preparation, promoting healthy root growth and better crop yields.

selenium: A trace element, an essential part of the diet for all animals. White muscle disease is the symptom of selenium deficiency. Farmers benefit from understanding selenium’s role in preventing deficiencies and ensuring livestock productivity.

slug pellet: a small hard piece of a mixture containing a substance such as metaldehyde which kills slugs. Slug pellets are usually coloured blue-green. Using slug pellets effectively helps farmers control slug infestations, protecting crops and improving yields.

septoria: A fungal disease which affects the leaves of wheat crops. Farmers benefit from managing septoria to protect wheat crops and ensure high yields.

surplus: more than is needed. Properly managing surplus production ensures efficient resource use and supports farm profitability.

Systolic blood pressure: is the pressure of the blood in the arteries when the heart beats. Understanding and managing systolic blood pressure in livestock ensures health and productivity, supporting farm profitability and well-being.

Sheep Annual Premium Scheme: Until 2005, a subsidy for breeding ewes. Now superseded by the Single Payment Scheme. Farmers benefit from engaging in subsidy programs for financial support in livestock production.

spruce: a temperate softwood coniferous tree. Genus: Picea. Cultivating spruce provides farmers with a renewable source of timber for construction and paper production, supporting sustainable forestry practices.

silage effluent: An acidic liquid produced by the silage process which can be a serious pollutant, especially if it drains into a watercourse. Farmers benefit from managing silage effluent to prevent environmental contamination and ensure sustainable farming practices.