THE HAY BARN GLOSSARY

Scarification - Process of scratching or abrading of the seed coat of seed of certain species to allow uptake of water and gases as an aid to seed germination.

Sedge - A plant of the family Cyperaceae. Sedges generally have a 3-sided stem

Seed - n. Ripened (mature) ovule consisting of an embryo, a seedcoat, and a supply of food that, in some species, is stored in the endosperm. v. To sow, as to broadcast or drill small-seeded grasses and legumes or other crops.

Seller's Market - Market condition in which there is a scarcity of goods available, enabling sellers to obtain better conditions of sale or higher prices.

Silage - Forage preserved in a succulent condition by organic acids produced by partial anaerobic fermentation of sugars in the forage. Also called ensilage, forage plants such as corn (maize), legumes, and grasses that have been chopped and stored in tower silos, pits, or trenches for use as animal feed. Since protein content decreases and fibre content increases as the crop matures, forage, like hay, should be harvested in early maturity. The green material should be chopped fine enough to assure good packing and the exclusion of air from the mass of chopped material. A high moisture content in the ensiled material facilitates compaction and the exclusion of air. However, excess moisture (above 70 percent) seeps away and carries valuable nutrients with it. Excess moisture in the silo may also interfere with the fermentation processes that produce the best quality silage. Under proper storage conditions the silage ferments slightly and keeps for several months.

Spot Bid - Price willing to be paid for a commodity available for immediate delivery.

Spot Price - Price of a commodity available for immediate delivery.

Square baler – A type of baler that has a pickup to bring the grasses up into an auger that moves them into position to be pressed by a piston. When the pressed grass reaches a configurable length a mechanism is tripped to cause the string to be tied and cut. The bale is then ejected and a new one started. There are also balers that generate large round bales that are more resistant to rain damage.

Stage of maturity - This refers to the growth stage of the plant at the time of harvest. Stage of maturity is by far the most important factor influencing quality. The younger the plant, the higher the quality. If you want to harvest or purchase good-quality hay, pay particular attention to maturity.

Standover forage - Bulked forage produced during the growing season and maintained in the paddock to provide feed during the dormant season. Also stockpiled forage, standing hay or foggage .

Stem - The main axis or a branch of the main axial system of a plant, typically bearing leaves.

Stockpiling forage - To allow forage to accumulate for grazing at a later period. Forage is often stockpiled for autumn and winter grazing after or during dormancy or semidormancy, but stockpiling may occur at any time during the year as a part of a management plan. Stockpiling can be described in terms of deferment and forage accumulation.

Stolon - Runner; a slender prostrate stem, growing above the ground, and rooting at intervals, usually at the nodes.

Straw - Straw is the dry stalk of a cereal plant, after the nutrient grain or seed has been removed. Straw makes up about half of the yield of a cereal crop such as wheat, oats, rye or barley.

Supplement - Nutritional additive (salt, protein, phosphorus, etc.) intended to improve nutrition balance and remedy deficiencies of the diet.

Supreme - A physical description of hay quality. Very early maturity, pre bloom, soft fine stemmed, extra leafy. Factors indicative of very high nutritive content. Hay is excellent color and free of damage.

Swather - A farm machine that cuts hay and lays it in windrows for the baler.

The Hay Barn Glossary