S

set on: To foster an orphaned animal to another female, as a lamb onto a ewe. Farmers benefit from fostering orphaned animals to ensure their survival and growth.

staple length: the length of the wool fibre. Properly managing staple length ensures high-quality wool production, supporting farm income and market value.

suitcase farmer: US a farmer who lives some distance from his or her holding, i.e., more than 30 miles. Properly managing suitcase farming operations ensures efficient farm management and productivity, supporting farm profitability.

self-sufficient: Able to provide enough food and other necessary materials for a family, often by means of a simple traditional way of farming with little use of modern technology. We’re self-sufficient in salad crops from the garden in the summer time. Able to provide the required quantity of a product locally or for yourself, without needing to purchase or import it. The country is self-sufficient in barley. Farmers benefit from achieving self-sufficiency for food security and sustainability.

spice: a substance used as a flavouring in cooking, made from the pungent or aromatic parts of plants. Spices are obtained from seeds, fruit, flowers, roots, bark, or buds of plants. The commonest are pepper, mustard, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg. Growing spices provides farmers with high-value crops for diverse markets, enhancing farm income and sustainability.

swath: a row of grass or other plants lying on the ground after being cut; a row of potatoes which have been lifted and left lying on the ground. Properly managing swaths ensures efficient harvesting and crop quality, supporting farm productivity.

sling: a type of harness that is used to support the weight of an animal that is suffering from some kind of disability. Using slings aids in the recovery and mobility of injured livestock, enhancing animal welfare and productivity.

SCRI: Scottish Crop Research Institute. Farmers benefit from the research conducted by SCRI to improve crop yields and pest management.

Scottish Environment Protection Agency: A public body with responsibility for the protection of Scotland’s natural landscape and resources. Abbr SEPA. Farmers benefit from engaging with SEPA to ensure environmentally sustainable farming practices.

second cut: Grass which has been cut a second time in the season for hay or silage. Farmers benefit from managing second cuts to optimize forage quality and yield.