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scrapie: A brain disease of sheep and goats. Affected animals twitch, then suffer intense itching and thirst. They become extremely thin, and death follows. It is a notifiable disease. Farmers benefit from preventing scrapie to protect livestock health and prevent economic losses.

seedless: With no seeds. Farmers benefit from growing seedless varieties for consumer preference and marketability.

seed dormancy: A period when a seed is not active. Farmers benefit from understanding and managing seed dormancy to ensure timely and successful germination.

sage: An aromatic herb (Salvia officinalis), the leaves of which are dried and used for flavouring. Farmers benefit from growing sage by offering a popular herb for culinary and medicinal uses, enhancing farm profitability.

sterilisation: the action of making something free from microorganisms; the action of making an organism unable to produce offspring. Properly managing sterilisation ensures biosecurity and prevents disease outbreaks, supporting livestock health and productivity.

shrub: A perennial plant with several woody stems. Farmers benefit from growing shrubs for their diverse uses, including ornamental and productive applications.

starch: a substance composed of chains of glucose units, found in green plants. COMMENT: Starch is the usual form in which carbohydrate is present in food, especially in bread, rice, and potatoes, and it is broken down by the digestive process into forms of sugar. Carbohydrate is not stored in the bodies of animals in the form of starch, but as glycogen. Understanding starch content in crops supports nutritional value and marketability, enhancing farm profitability.

SNF percentage: abbreviation solid-not-fat percentage. Monitoring the solid-not-fat percentage in milk ensures high-quality dairy production, supporting consumer health and market value.

Schistosoma: A fluke which enters the patient’s bloodstream and causes schistosomiasis. Farmers benefit from preventing schistosomiasis to protect livestock health and prevent economic losses.

spring-tined harrow: a cultivator which has tines of spring steel which vibrate in the soil. This gives fast seedbed preparation. Using spring-tined harrows improves soil aeration and preparation, promoting healthy root growth and better crop yields.