Day 27..
A literal field trip... We started our afternoon with Julia who took us to halloughton field to demonstrate real life soil profiles. There were three holes already dug for us to investigate the three major horizons (that make up a soil profile) - the surface horizon, the subsoil and the substratum. And each hole displayed different profiles due to a few factors - water logging, compaction and organic matter. We were also able to determine the soil texture by carrying out a field test, by picking up a small aggregate of soil and rubbing it between the thumb and index finger. Using a chart we were then able to follow yes and no answers to what the soil felt and looked like to establish that in this case the soil was siltloam! We finished here as quite a lot of soil was being distributed by some members of the group at others!
We then moved on to grass growth with dom. There are two constituents of grass - water and carbohydrates, and using some basic information we had to work out the percentage of dry matter according to the following: if a yield of a field is 65t/ha at 17% DM what is the DM yield (this is some basic mathematic work that we should be able to carry out at farmer dudes) so to work out the answer is; 17 divided by 100 times'd by 65 to get 11.05!
To ensure your grassland is the optimum it can be with regards to livestock systems it must be maintained, however there are some factors outside the farmers control, such as the weather, steepness of land, altitude, rough or stony terrain and aspect (north/south). On the flip side there are some things that can be carried out, such as fertilising (for low fertility), drainage, weed control, compaction correction, acidity enhancement, low stocking ratio and grazing control.
To sum it up; you need to know how your grass grows!!!
Friday, 29 November 2013
Thursday, 28 November 2013
Thursday November 28, 2013
Day 26..
And off to the field we go.. We began the day in Parklane Close with our trusty two furrow reversible ploughs ready to plough on!
Parklane Close is a rather unusually shaped field, so the group the day before had to decide where to actually begin ploughing - looking for a headland as a guide - however there are no straight hedges / bounderies so the plan was to start in between previous tram line markings and today we were able to come in and continue working across the field.
But first we needed to ensure that the ploughs were set to a working depth of 9 inches (ideal for this clay soil type and crop growing). The furrow is measured just after it has been started measuring the back furrow and the front furrow depths (which should be the same). However, there was a slight discrepancy as the back was slightly deeper, therefore we had to lengthen the guide wheel initially in order to correct the depth. We then measured the link arms to ensure they were the same operating length and again there was a difference so the movable link arm was shortened or lengthend accordingly.
With the plough correctly set up we could commence ploughing, continuing the furrows and gradually curving round the contours of the field lengthening the run to the next set of tram line 'markers'.
Today i learnt a lot about the draft control - the previous group had found that on some runs some of the top soil was being brought up by the plough but unsure why, today andy explained it may have been caused by too much draft control whereby the machine was over compensating when the ground level changed - thus pushing the plough down further. The ideal scenario is for the draft to maintain the ploughs set up as you go over different terrain ensuring that the furrow remains constant, however, if you move the draft lever down whilst ploughing - you must remember to move it back up as you pick the plough up at the end of your furrow because one - the plough does not pick up out of the ground far enough and two - because there is not enough room to turn the plough over (reversible) ready to start the next furrow! (slight blonde moment!)
This afternoon in lectures we further investigated Bovine TB and Anthrax - which are two very important diseases in cattle and have to be dealt with under strict reporting and regulation procedures in order to prevent a pandemic! Anthrax is very nasty and can creep up without much warning - it is usually the case that a cow can be fine one minute, but be found dead the next. If you find a dead cow, that ordinarily was fine, and is bloated and has bloody discharges coming out of available orifices then Anthrax should be considered and a vet called immediately.
Likewise, Tuberculosis is a chronic contagious disease (slow developing) and can affect humans as well as animals. bTB (Bovine Tuberculosis) infects cattle in two ways; the respiratory system and the digestive system and it can be spread in the air so easily infecting a number of other animals (a big carrier of the bacteria is badgers). Cows develop a short dry cough in the first stages, but this develops in to a far more painful cough as well as loss of appetite and diarrhoea.
The significance of this disease means that cows are tested annualy by a vet who carries out a skin test. Two injection sites are selected on the neck and the two folds of skin measured with a caliper measuring tool and the measurements recorded. These sites are then injected with avian tuberculin on the upper one and bovine tuberculin on the lower one. After 72 hours the measurements of the folds of skin are taken again to determine if there is TB present (if the measurement is over 4mm bigger then the cow is said to be infected).
This is a notifiable disease under section 88 of the Animal Health Act 1981 and can also be fatal in humans so must be adhered to!
And off to the field we go.. We began the day in Parklane Close with our trusty two furrow reversible ploughs ready to plough on!
Parklane Close is a rather unusually shaped field, so the group the day before had to decide where to actually begin ploughing - looking for a headland as a guide - however there are no straight hedges / bounderies so the plan was to start in between previous tram line markings and today we were able to come in and continue working across the field.
But first we needed to ensure that the ploughs were set to a working depth of 9 inches (ideal for this clay soil type and crop growing). The furrow is measured just after it has been started measuring the back furrow and the front furrow depths (which should be the same). However, there was a slight discrepancy as the back was slightly deeper, therefore we had to lengthen the guide wheel initially in order to correct the depth. We then measured the link arms to ensure they were the same operating length and again there was a difference so the movable link arm was shortened or lengthend accordingly.
With the plough correctly set up we could commence ploughing, continuing the furrows and gradually curving round the contours of the field lengthening the run to the next set of tram line 'markers'.
Today i learnt a lot about the draft control - the previous group had found that on some runs some of the top soil was being brought up by the plough but unsure why, today andy explained it may have been caused by too much draft control whereby the machine was over compensating when the ground level changed - thus pushing the plough down further. The ideal scenario is for the draft to maintain the ploughs set up as you go over different terrain ensuring that the furrow remains constant, however, if you move the draft lever down whilst ploughing - you must remember to move it back up as you pick the plough up at the end of your furrow because one - the plough does not pick up out of the ground far enough and two - because there is not enough room to turn the plough over (reversible) ready to start the next furrow! (slight blonde moment!)
This afternoon in lectures we further investigated Bovine TB and Anthrax - which are two very important diseases in cattle and have to be dealt with under strict reporting and regulation procedures in order to prevent a pandemic! Anthrax is very nasty and can creep up without much warning - it is usually the case that a cow can be fine one minute, but be found dead the next. If you find a dead cow, that ordinarily was fine, and is bloated and has bloody discharges coming out of available orifices then Anthrax should be considered and a vet called immediately.
Likewise, Tuberculosis is a chronic contagious disease (slow developing) and can affect humans as well as animals. bTB (Bovine Tuberculosis) infects cattle in two ways; the respiratory system and the digestive system and it can be spread in the air so easily infecting a number of other animals (a big carrier of the bacteria is badgers). Cows develop a short dry cough in the first stages, but this develops in to a far more painful cough as well as loss of appetite and diarrhoea.
The significance of this disease means that cows are tested annualy by a vet who carries out a skin test. Two injection sites are selected on the neck and the two folds of skin measured with a caliper measuring tool and the measurements recorded. These sites are then injected with avian tuberculin on the upper one and bovine tuberculin on the lower one. After 72 hours the measurements of the folds of skin are taken again to determine if there is TB present (if the measurement is over 4mm bigger then the cow is said to be infected).
This is a notifiable disease under section 88 of the Animal Health Act 1981 and can also be fatal in humans so must be adhered to!
Wednesday, 27 November 2013
Wednesday November 27, 2013
Day 25..
Today started off with a health and safety recap as this is extremely important when working in and around a farm yard, whereby even getting in and out of a tractor should be thoughtfully considered - using the three point contact method, to ensure that any risk of tripping and falling out of the tractor is minimised.
This lead to risk assessments, the requirements and the information required to carry out risk assessments around the farm yard and while at work in a field. We were shown a number of real life farm yard scenes and had to fill out a risk assessment form noting the risk, the consequence of the hazard, what precautions were already in place, what further precautions and or steps needed to take place along with a realistic time frame. It is important to only list those items that are achievable otherwise upon an inspection you will have failed to properly comply with regulations!
This afternoon we undertook some routine sheep flock checks - looking over the ewes as they enter their third cycle of heat, where after being with the rams should all have now been mated. We changed the raddle markers on two rams, as this will show up those ewes that have been caught on later cycles and consequently picked up by these later rams.
The ram who was lame last week was still visibly lame, so he was caught and the foot checked over again. A week on and the foot seemed to be no better, it was very swollen and had a bloody discharge. The foot and lower part of the leg were very tender to the touch and clearly causing the ram some discomfort.
He was injected with more painkiller to relieve the immediate pain, but following additional investigation, dom believed the ram could have some sort of growth in his foot causing the swelling and bleeding, and that a vet should be called in this instance.. Will update with further news as received.
We then carried out some general husbandry, removing two rams from ewe flocks as they have now finished maying, and relocating them to a small holding paddock.
Then, we choose two ewe lambs from the young flock, and brought them back to home farm for the night in a make shift pen - ready for the schools nativity plays over the next couple of days, where real life animals have star roles!!! Ho baa ho
Today started off with a health and safety recap as this is extremely important when working in and around a farm yard, whereby even getting in and out of a tractor should be thoughtfully considered - using the three point contact method, to ensure that any risk of tripping and falling out of the tractor is minimised.
This lead to risk assessments, the requirements and the information required to carry out risk assessments around the farm yard and while at work in a field. We were shown a number of real life farm yard scenes and had to fill out a risk assessment form noting the risk, the consequence of the hazard, what precautions were already in place, what further precautions and or steps needed to take place along with a realistic time frame. It is important to only list those items that are achievable otherwise upon an inspection you will have failed to properly comply with regulations!
This afternoon we undertook some routine sheep flock checks - looking over the ewes as they enter their third cycle of heat, where after being with the rams should all have now been mated. We changed the raddle markers on two rams, as this will show up those ewes that have been caught on later cycles and consequently picked up by these later rams.
The ram who was lame last week was still visibly lame, so he was caught and the foot checked over again. A week on and the foot seemed to be no better, it was very swollen and had a bloody discharge. The foot and lower part of the leg were very tender to the touch and clearly causing the ram some discomfort.
He was injected with more painkiller to relieve the immediate pain, but following additional investigation, dom believed the ram could have some sort of growth in his foot causing the swelling and bleeding, and that a vet should be called in this instance.. Will update with further news as received.
We then carried out some general husbandry, removing two rams from ewe flocks as they have now finished maying, and relocating them to a small holding paddock.
Then, we choose two ewe lambs from the young flock, and brought them back to home farm for the night in a make shift pen - ready for the schools nativity plays over the next couple of days, where real life animals have star roles!!! Ho baa ho
Friday November 22, 2013
Day 24..
Pka - fields assigned!! My teams winter field is Sheepwalk West and our spring field is Stathams Close.. To be continued!!
Our first lesson was soil characteristics with Julia. This started by determining the difference between soil type and soil texture (its still confusing!) Basically, soil texture is the components of sand, silt and clay and the structure is the arrangement of these particles! However the component of a soil is made up of the minerals (sand, silt & clay), organic matter (including soil organisms), water and air!
We then had Dom for grassland and discussed the differences between rough grazing, permanent pasture and rotational grazing. In summary;
Rough Grazing - is uncultivated land used for grazing livestock (unimproved land) Usually hills & moorland.
Permanent Pasture - the term for perennial or self-seeding annual plants maintained through several years of grazing (human improvement).
Rotational Grazing - Herds and flocks systematically moved on to fresh grass, or, sown every few years as part of an arable crop rotation as a 'grass break'.
Pasture - grassland used to graze animals / livestock and for cutting (silage).
Meadow - is a piece of grassland used mainly for hay / cutting.
Ley - the term for a piece of land that is seeded and left to grow with grass and clover good for 1 & 2 year silage cuts.
Sward - this is short grass held together by its roots.
Turf - this is the surface layer that is also held together by its roots (similar to the sward).
Pka - fields assigned!! My teams winter field is Sheepwalk West and our spring field is Stathams Close.. To be continued!!
Our first lesson was soil characteristics with Julia. This started by determining the difference between soil type and soil texture (its still confusing!) Basically, soil texture is the components of sand, silt and clay and the structure is the arrangement of these particles! However the component of a soil is made up of the minerals (sand, silt & clay), organic matter (including soil organisms), water and air!
We then had Dom for grassland and discussed the differences between rough grazing, permanent pasture and rotational grazing. In summary;
Rough Grazing - is uncultivated land used for grazing livestock (unimproved land) Usually hills & moorland.
Permanent Pasture - the term for perennial or self-seeding annual plants maintained through several years of grazing (human improvement).
Rotational Grazing - Herds and flocks systematically moved on to fresh grass, or, sown every few years as part of an arable crop rotation as a 'grass break'.
Pasture - grassland used to graze animals / livestock and for cutting (silage).
Meadow - is a piece of grassland used mainly for hay / cutting.
Ley - the term for a piece of land that is seeded and left to grow with grass and clover good for 1 & 2 year silage cuts.
Sward - this is short grass held together by its roots.
Turf - this is the surface layer that is also held together by its roots (similar to the sward).
Thursday, 21 November 2013
Thursday November 21, 2013
Day 23..
Today we were let loose to take a plough to pieces.. Ok, so not the whole plough! But one shear (the section containing the mouldboard, heal, tail piece, plough point, wing and shin) and one disc coulter and adjoining skim coulter.
The purpose of this practical session was to remove the pieces that are the parts that wear out the most when the plough is in full working use. Each element plays a significant part in ploughing the ground, for example the landslide firms up the corner of the furrow, consequently each part has a little or a lot of contact with the ground and depending on the conditions and set up will undergo wear and tear. Parts that wear down the most are attached separately making them easy to replace.
We began by spraying some penetrating oil (wd40) over the nuts and bolts as this would make them easier to undo. Working from the outside, we used various tools including round ended spanners and a ratchet and sockets to work the nuts off the bolts, but when we found this difficult we had to think about the leverage and increase the length of our tools either by using an extending pole or another spanner - being careful that these did not slip. As a couple of the nuts and bolts were in awkward places, where the socket was too big to fit, we did use a soft ended mallet to tap the spanner to work the nut loose - this is an example of doing the job in reality!
Each piece was then cleaned with a wire brush before being reassembled.
This afternoon began disgusting reproduction in the ewe and ways to manipulate the processes in order to change the date of lambing, for example if you need to provide lamb year round in your farm shop. Ewes are seasonally anestrous meaning that they come on heat when the number of day light hours begin to drop. Therefore you can 'trick' the ewe in to dispersing melatonin (which happens when it goes dark) leading to the ovulation process. The methods include sponging - inserting sponges doused in hormones into the vagina, melatonin - increasing strengths of melatonin released via a 'soluble glass' insert in the ear, housing - bringing them indoors and gradually making it pitch black, teasing - adding a vasectomise dram into the ewe flock (unlike a castrated male, this one will still produce testosterone and all the other male hormones required to bring the female on heat) and flushing - putting the ewes on fresh pasture two weeks before the ram is introduced as this ups the nutritional status and improves fertility. And don't forget the ram.. It is important to ensure the ram is fit and healthy so he can keep up his side of the process.
We then moved on to the grass beef systems - looking at 18 and 24 month programs. This is where your herd will benefit from either one (18 month) or two (24 month) grazing periods providing a better end product due to the variety of feeding on offer - grass, silage and concentrates.
18 month - 24 month-
1st winter rear. 1st winter rear
1st summer graze 1st summer graze
2nd winter finish 2nd winter store period
2nd summer finish on grass
For those utilising the 18 month program, it is important to get the animals finished over the second winter because there will be no spare grazing the following year - when the new stock will be grazing. And for those on the 24 month system the 'store' period is crucial.. Here you can ration the feed, giving the animals just enough to maintain themselves, as this reduces winter feeding costs without affecting growth rates at the later stages. When the animal is reintroduced to the second grazing period they are able to get up to finish weights due to compensatory growth - the ability to gain weight by utilising their food better! The system you use simply depends on your circumstances - amount of grazing available, money to buy in extra feed etc.
Today we were let loose to take a plough to pieces.. Ok, so not the whole plough! But one shear (the section containing the mouldboard, heal, tail piece, plough point, wing and shin) and one disc coulter and adjoining skim coulter.
The purpose of this practical session was to remove the pieces that are the parts that wear out the most when the plough is in full working use. Each element plays a significant part in ploughing the ground, for example the landslide firms up the corner of the furrow, consequently each part has a little or a lot of contact with the ground and depending on the conditions and set up will undergo wear and tear. Parts that wear down the most are attached separately making them easy to replace.
We began by spraying some penetrating oil (wd40) over the nuts and bolts as this would make them easier to undo. Working from the outside, we used various tools including round ended spanners and a ratchet and sockets to work the nuts off the bolts, but when we found this difficult we had to think about the leverage and increase the length of our tools either by using an extending pole or another spanner - being careful that these did not slip. As a couple of the nuts and bolts were in awkward places, where the socket was too big to fit, we did use a soft ended mallet to tap the spanner to work the nut loose - this is an example of doing the job in reality!
Each piece was then cleaned with a wire brush before being reassembled.
This afternoon began disgusting reproduction in the ewe and ways to manipulate the processes in order to change the date of lambing, for example if you need to provide lamb year round in your farm shop. Ewes are seasonally anestrous meaning that they come on heat when the number of day light hours begin to drop. Therefore you can 'trick' the ewe in to dispersing melatonin (which happens when it goes dark) leading to the ovulation process. The methods include sponging - inserting sponges doused in hormones into the vagina, melatonin - increasing strengths of melatonin released via a 'soluble glass' insert in the ear, housing - bringing them indoors and gradually making it pitch black, teasing - adding a vasectomise dram into the ewe flock (unlike a castrated male, this one will still produce testosterone and all the other male hormones required to bring the female on heat) and flushing - putting the ewes on fresh pasture two weeks before the ram is introduced as this ups the nutritional status and improves fertility. And don't forget the ram.. It is important to ensure the ram is fit and healthy so he can keep up his side of the process.
We then moved on to the grass beef systems - looking at 18 and 24 month programs. This is where your herd will benefit from either one (18 month) or two (24 month) grazing periods providing a better end product due to the variety of feeding on offer - grass, silage and concentrates.
18 month - 24 month-
1st winter rear. 1st winter rear
1st summer graze 1st summer graze
2nd winter finish 2nd winter store period
2nd summer finish on grass
For those utilising the 18 month program, it is important to get the animals finished over the second winter because there will be no spare grazing the following year - when the new stock will be grazing. And for those on the 24 month system the 'store' period is crucial.. Here you can ration the feed, giving the animals just enough to maintain themselves, as this reduces winter feeding costs without affecting growth rates at the later stages. When the animal is reintroduced to the second grazing period they are able to get up to finish weights due to compensatory growth - the ability to gain weight by utilising their food better! The system you use simply depends on your circumstances - amount of grazing available, money to buy in extra feed etc.
Wednesday, 20 November 2013
Wednesday November 20, 2013
Day 22..
Tyre construction - that's how we stared the day! Relating this to a tractor, tyres are an important part of the job because the tyres and wheels must be suited to the type of work you are going to carry out. Along with different wheels such as dual, cage, row crop and low ground pressure, the purpose is to get as much traction as possible for the tractor to work most efficiently. Cage wheels are usually made of metal and added to the outside of the rear wheels. They are slightly higher than the rear wheel so as not to touch concrete, on a road for example, but when working in a field as the ground softens, these wheels then support the weight of the tractor. We then had a 'show and tell' with nuts and bolts! Remember the nut is what screws on to the bolt! There are numerous types of nuts and bolts, big and small! But once again, there are specific ones for specific jobs. We then had an introduction to spreaders and sprayers and began by distinguishing the difference between what is sprayed and spread and for what purpose..
Pesticides (to kill)
= herbicides (weeds) = molluscicides (slugs, snails) = insecticides (insects) = fungicides (fungus)
Fertilisers
= N (nitrogen) = P (phosphate) = k (potassium)
As well as sulphur, and trace elements such as zinc and magnesium.
In our afternoon practical session we went to a field of lambs to administer them with Animax bolus - this is a mineral 'pill' designed to give them a booster to their system, as they are currently not good doers - slightly under nourished, poor quality. first the flock was herded in to a penning system and generally health checked over, we then sent them through the crush to carry out the administration. This was done with a dosing gun designed to fit down the back of the throat (over the back of the tongue). Sheep over 30 kg received two bolus pills and anything under just one (these are big tablets in the shape of a bullet). The bolus is slotted in to the stainless steel holder and pushed down to the trigger point, with the other hand you open the sheep's mouth placing your thumb over the tongue, but leaving room for the gun, when far enough down you press the trigger to release the bolus which should then end up in the rumen depositing the nutrient as required. Each sheep that received a treatment also received a coloured mark for tracking purposes.
We then went off to check on two rams that have been lame for a few days. Ram one was still lame, he was turned over and a small swelling was visible in his near fore foot, the treatment here was to inject 8cc of an antibiotic medicine - 4cc in each of the big back leg muscles (this spreads out the fluid). All four feet were then sprayed with purple spray (antiseptic) as an extra precaution. This ram will be monitored and re-administered with medicine in five days if required as it was a 'long lasting' treatment. The second ram was easy to catch because he was very lame on his near hind. Once tipped over there was a very visible abscess type wound, foot rot was ruled out because there was no significant smell, the cleats were cleaned up, but the foot sore to the touch, so here 10cc of antibiotic was administered, again half in each back leg muscle and all feet sprayed. But as we let him go it was very apparent that this wound was causing pain so Dom decided that we also should inject this ram with a pain killer, as this would give him almost instant relief. This was one shot in the behind muscle! The painkiller medicine will need to be administered daily for a few days but the antibiotic is long lasting, so five days before any more (if required). Hopefully they are both now on the mend and can carry on with the job! in hand...
Tyre construction - that's how we stared the day! Relating this to a tractor, tyres are an important part of the job because the tyres and wheels must be suited to the type of work you are going to carry out. Along with different wheels such as dual, cage, row crop and low ground pressure, the purpose is to get as much traction as possible for the tractor to work most efficiently. Cage wheels are usually made of metal and added to the outside of the rear wheels. They are slightly higher than the rear wheel so as not to touch concrete, on a road for example, but when working in a field as the ground softens, these wheels then support the weight of the tractor. We then had a 'show and tell' with nuts and bolts! Remember the nut is what screws on to the bolt! There are numerous types of nuts and bolts, big and small! But once again, there are specific ones for specific jobs. We then had an introduction to spreaders and sprayers and began by distinguishing the difference between what is sprayed and spread and for what purpose..
Pesticides (to kill)
= herbicides (weeds) = molluscicides (slugs, snails) = insecticides (insects) = fungicides (fungus)
Fertilisers
= N (nitrogen) = P (phosphate) = k (potassium)
As well as sulphur, and trace elements such as zinc and magnesium.
In our afternoon practical session we went to a field of lambs to administer them with Animax bolus - this is a mineral 'pill' designed to give them a booster to their system, as they are currently not good doers - slightly under nourished, poor quality. first the flock was herded in to a penning system and generally health checked over, we then sent them through the crush to carry out the administration. This was done with a dosing gun designed to fit down the back of the throat (over the back of the tongue). Sheep over 30 kg received two bolus pills and anything under just one (these are big tablets in the shape of a bullet). The bolus is slotted in to the stainless steel holder and pushed down to the trigger point, with the other hand you open the sheep's mouth placing your thumb over the tongue, but leaving room for the gun, when far enough down you press the trigger to release the bolus which should then end up in the rumen depositing the nutrient as required. Each sheep that received a treatment also received a coloured mark for tracking purposes.
We then went off to check on two rams that have been lame for a few days. Ram one was still lame, he was turned over and a small swelling was visible in his near fore foot, the treatment here was to inject 8cc of an antibiotic medicine - 4cc in each of the big back leg muscles (this spreads out the fluid). All four feet were then sprayed with purple spray (antiseptic) as an extra precaution. This ram will be monitored and re-administered with medicine in five days if required as it was a 'long lasting' treatment. The second ram was easy to catch because he was very lame on his near hind. Once tipped over there was a very visible abscess type wound, foot rot was ruled out because there was no significant smell, the cleats were cleaned up, but the foot sore to the touch, so here 10cc of antibiotic was administered, again half in each back leg muscle and all feet sprayed. But as we let him go it was very apparent that this wound was causing pain so Dom decided that we also should inject this ram with a pain killer, as this would give him almost instant relief. This was one shot in the behind muscle! The painkiller medicine will need to be administered daily for a few days but the antibiotic is long lasting, so five days before any more (if required). Hopefully they are both now on the mend and can carry on with the job! in hand...
Friday, 15 November 2013
Friday November 15, 2013
Tis day 21..
Arrived late morning to two of my other PKA team members and tried to choose a field for our project. We struggled slightly as we do not know what the other teams have picked so we are hoping for Stathams Close. Once confirmed we will print out a picture of the field and carry out the 'mapping'- listing significant factors such as ditches, access, pylons etc.
We then had our first lab practical this afternoon, and were issued with our FE lab coats! (No expense spared). In groups we chose a soil sample (A, B, C or D) then had to determine what type we had picked. An amount was placed in a mortar and pestle where we ground it down for a few mins. It was then weighed before splitting the particles using the sieve method. After shaking the sieve for a few minutes, the top container retained the gravel particles so this was weighed and removed from our starting weight. Each of the next three compartments were also weighed and the weights recorded according to sand, silt and clay. We were then able to calculate the percentage of particles and work out the overall soil type using the classification table.
During the rest of the (somewhat chaotic) afternoon, we started off by sorting out the newly returned butchered lamb parts for lamb packs (being a vegetarian, I sort of let Amy sort out our box of meat! Later we were given our work experience assignment and asked to do a mock letter applying for a job. We will need to complete one in our assignment so utilising the course, including practical lessons and lectures, will enhance our applications in mock and real life scenarios. We then had a visit from sue sutton, to give us some additional input on how to write up our assignments, giving up some pointers with regards to spelling, grammar and layouts etc. I seem to have a bit of an apostrophe concern so I will try and correct this throughout the course..
Arrived late morning to two of my other PKA team members and tried to choose a field for our project. We struggled slightly as we do not know what the other teams have picked so we are hoping for Stathams Close. Once confirmed we will print out a picture of the field and carry out the 'mapping'- listing significant factors such as ditches, access, pylons etc.
We then had our first lab practical this afternoon, and were issued with our FE lab coats! (No expense spared). In groups we chose a soil sample (A, B, C or D) then had to determine what type we had picked. An amount was placed in a mortar and pestle where we ground it down for a few mins. It was then weighed before splitting the particles using the sieve method. After shaking the sieve for a few minutes, the top container retained the gravel particles so this was weighed and removed from our starting weight. Each of the next three compartments were also weighed and the weights recorded according to sand, silt and clay. We were then able to calculate the percentage of particles and work out the overall soil type using the classification table.
During the rest of the (somewhat chaotic) afternoon, we started off by sorting out the newly returned butchered lamb parts for lamb packs (being a vegetarian, I sort of let Amy sort out our box of meat! Later we were given our work experience assignment and asked to do a mock letter applying for a job. We will need to complete one in our assignment so utilising the course, including practical lessons and lectures, will enhance our applications in mock and real life scenarios. We then had a visit from sue sutton, to give us some additional input on how to write up our assignments, giving up some pointers with regards to spelling, grammar and layouts etc. I seem to have a bit of an apostrophe concern so I will try and correct this throughout the course..
Thursday, 14 November 2013
Thursday November 14, 2013
Day Twenty..
A workshop start to the day - which consisted of removing a tractor wheel, fixing a puncture and replacing the wheel, ok, so we actually removed a wheel and put that one back on and then fixed some punctures on the 'dummy' poorly tyres - but we got the gist! When jacking up a tractor assess the potential dangers; ensure the ground is flat and even, ensure the handbrake is on and put the tractor in a low gear. Put wooden blocks round the wheels keeping contact on the ground and put a supporting jack or block in place - to catch the tractor should the jack fail. If the jack is metal and the tractor surface is metal place a wooden block between the two surfaces to reduce the risk of it slipping. Lift the wheel so that it just clears the ground. Once off, you need to remove the tyre from the rim, but make sure the tyre is deflated fully first. We then unseated the wheel beads from the rim using two metal tools with lips at each end that hook under or over as required. We then added air back into the tyre to help locate the puncture and marked it/them with a chalk cross. The air was let back out and the puncture repair kit used to fuse a new rubber layer on top. With the tyre still flat it is worked back inside the wheel - starting at the valve end, and the bead then put back in place on the rim - carefully with the two lever tools. The tyre was then lifted upright ready for the air to be pumped back in - checking the manual for the correct PSI - in this case 20 was sufficient. When the wheel is ready to be put back on the tractor it is useful to use a torque wrench as this will only move to the desired Nm (Newton Metres) which is selected on the lever. carefully lower the tractor back down, remove blocks and job done.
This afternoon, we started by discussing the various issues that can affect breeding in sheep, including Barreners - those who do not get in lamb, Dystocia - those that sustain problem lambing, Prolapse - when the cervix is pushed out, Agalactia - the lack of milk to feed young, Twin Lamb Disease (pregnancy toxaemia) - where the ewes energy requirements exceed their energy intake, Abortion - Enzootic abortion is highly contagious, and 99% of infection at its highest at lambing time, and, generally a Poor Mother - where the ewe is totally disinterested in the young. It is very important therefore to follow a good management programme with your ewes, because if a ewe is not able to reproduce, then it is not worth anything more than slaughter value! We continued our livestock lecture discussing more diseases that affect farm animals, their systems and where there is a cure - what to do! * Good note * where a farm animal needs rehydrating, following a bout of diarrhea for example, you can provide them with a home made drink consisting of 1 Pint of warm water; 1 Tablespoon of Glucose (or ordinary sugar) and 1 Teaspoon of Salt - this is a great pick me up and can be given to calves 2 to 3 times a day for a couple of days while antibiotics get to work!!!
A workshop start to the day - which consisted of removing a tractor wheel, fixing a puncture and replacing the wheel, ok, so we actually removed a wheel and put that one back on and then fixed some punctures on the 'dummy' poorly tyres - but we got the gist! When jacking up a tractor assess the potential dangers; ensure the ground is flat and even, ensure the handbrake is on and put the tractor in a low gear. Put wooden blocks round the wheels keeping contact on the ground and put a supporting jack or block in place - to catch the tractor should the jack fail. If the jack is metal and the tractor surface is metal place a wooden block between the two surfaces to reduce the risk of it slipping. Lift the wheel so that it just clears the ground. Once off, you need to remove the tyre from the rim, but make sure the tyre is deflated fully first. We then unseated the wheel beads from the rim using two metal tools with lips at each end that hook under or over as required. We then added air back into the tyre to help locate the puncture and marked it/them with a chalk cross. The air was let back out and the puncture repair kit used to fuse a new rubber layer on top. With the tyre still flat it is worked back inside the wheel - starting at the valve end, and the bead then put back in place on the rim - carefully with the two lever tools. The tyre was then lifted upright ready for the air to be pumped back in - checking the manual for the correct PSI - in this case 20 was sufficient. When the wheel is ready to be put back on the tractor it is useful to use a torque wrench as this will only move to the desired Nm (Newton Metres) which is selected on the lever. carefully lower the tractor back down, remove blocks and job done.
This afternoon, we started by discussing the various issues that can affect breeding in sheep, including Barreners - those who do not get in lamb, Dystocia - those that sustain problem lambing, Prolapse - when the cervix is pushed out, Agalactia - the lack of milk to feed young, Twin Lamb Disease (pregnancy toxaemia) - where the ewes energy requirements exceed their energy intake, Abortion - Enzootic abortion is highly contagious, and 99% of infection at its highest at lambing time, and, generally a Poor Mother - where the ewe is totally disinterested in the young. It is very important therefore to follow a good management programme with your ewes, because if a ewe is not able to reproduce, then it is not worth anything more than slaughter value! We continued our livestock lecture discussing more diseases that affect farm animals, their systems and where there is a cure - what to do! * Good note * where a farm animal needs rehydrating, following a bout of diarrhea for example, you can provide them with a home made drink consisting of 1 Pint of warm water; 1 Tablespoon of Glucose (or ordinary sugar) and 1 Teaspoon of Salt - this is a great pick me up and can be given to calves 2 to 3 times a day for a couple of days while antibiotics get to work!!!
Wednesday, 13 November 2013
Wednesday November 13, 2013
Day 19..
Back in the classroom, a morning of land based machinery (following our farm related crossword puzzle) - firstly the plough. We watched a video on how to set up the tractor and plough for optimum performance then discussed the various factors of ploughing, such as the front to back weight distribution 40:60 adding weights to the front is usually in the form of ballast called wafer weights. However, some tractors have one solid weight, so it is very important to get the ratio right or you will incur massive loss of traction. We then moved on to the hydraulic system - an operation that is carried out by pressure transmitted through a pipe by liquid, such as water or oil. The operations include power steering, fore-end loaders, 3 point linkage, external spools (tipping trailers etc) and controlling internal functions such as, PTO clutch. We actually covered this system in great detail, so I need to revise my notes and learn all the technical jargon! But for starters, let's remember that an open circuit system applies to a gear pump and that a closed circuit system applies to a piston pump!
Our afternoon practical started on our walk to the sheep field. The grazing field that we crossed contained a lot of clover, which Dom explained was a good nutrient provider, both for the animal grazing and by being utilised back in to the soil as the plant absorbs nitrogen and ammonia. Without constant grazing, this field is prone to chickweed - A weed that grows in cold conditions, including winter and can also affect cereals, sugar beet and other arable crops, but sheep are happy to eat it off.
We then herded in a group of ewes for condition scoring. This was a group already been tupped but the new ram was in with, to pick up any 'left overs'. Today we used the sheep handling system called the race - which fits up to ten sheep in it in a queue. This allows the first sheep to receive healthcare checks and any injections to administered easily as they get 'wedged' in to the treatment area. But it also secures a group that can be conditioned scored easily too! So, keeping a tally on scoring sheets we then carried out the three basic checks - the hand width across the sheeps back, (feeling for the amount of meat, bone and fat), a feel of the tail (for size) and a general overall look. With this information a score was given and recorded, thus gaining the average condition score of the small herd. As we left the farm, we also had a quick look over the Lincoln reds who were all eating happily!
Back in the classroom, a morning of land based machinery (following our farm related crossword puzzle) - firstly the plough. We watched a video on how to set up the tractor and plough for optimum performance then discussed the various factors of ploughing, such as the front to back weight distribution 40:60 adding weights to the front is usually in the form of ballast called wafer weights. However, some tractors have one solid weight, so it is very important to get the ratio right or you will incur massive loss of traction. We then moved on to the hydraulic system - an operation that is carried out by pressure transmitted through a pipe by liquid, such as water or oil. The operations include power steering, fore-end loaders, 3 point linkage, external spools (tipping trailers etc) and controlling internal functions such as, PTO clutch. We actually covered this system in great detail, so I need to revise my notes and learn all the technical jargon! But for starters, let's remember that an open circuit system applies to a gear pump and that a closed circuit system applies to a piston pump!
Our afternoon practical started on our walk to the sheep field. The grazing field that we crossed contained a lot of clover, which Dom explained was a good nutrient provider, both for the animal grazing and by being utilised back in to the soil as the plant absorbs nitrogen and ammonia. Without constant grazing, this field is prone to chickweed - A weed that grows in cold conditions, including winter and can also affect cereals, sugar beet and other arable crops, but sheep are happy to eat it off.
We then herded in a group of ewes for condition scoring. This was a group already been tupped but the new ram was in with, to pick up any 'left overs'. Today we used the sheep handling system called the race - which fits up to ten sheep in it in a queue. This allows the first sheep to receive healthcare checks and any injections to administered easily as they get 'wedged' in to the treatment area. But it also secures a group that can be conditioned scored easily too! So, keeping a tally on scoring sheets we then carried out the three basic checks - the hand width across the sheeps back, (feeling for the amount of meat, bone and fat), a feel of the tail (for size) and a general overall look. With this information a score was given and recorded, thus gaining the average condition score of the small herd. As we left the farm, we also had a quick look over the Lincoln reds who were all eating happily!
Sunday, 10 November 2013
Friday November 8th, 2013
Day 18..
Following the news that john, our Friday teacher, was to be off for a month through stress this was never going to be a good end to the week!!!
As a mature student attending this course, I have to date managed to keep away from the most immature of the group, but that all changed when three girls and myself had to choose other members of the class to become study groups for our pka (practical knowledge application) and although I didn't pick him, i ended up with 'boy wonder'.
So, after doing absolutely nothing to prep for our pka time, such as discussing fields mapping techniques, crops and cultivation methods, and having a farm walk (in the rain), I am left wondering if you can fail the course for not completing your pka studies?!?!?
Not my best brack day...
Following the news that john, our Friday teacher, was to be off for a month through stress this was never going to be a good end to the week!!!
As a mature student attending this course, I have to date managed to keep away from the most immature of the group, but that all changed when three girls and myself had to choose other members of the class to become study groups for our pka (practical knowledge application) and although I didn't pick him, i ended up with 'boy wonder'.
So, after doing absolutely nothing to prep for our pka time, such as discussing fields mapping techniques, crops and cultivation methods, and having a farm walk (in the rain), I am left wondering if you can fail the course for not completing your pka studies?!?!?
Not my best brack day...
Thursday, 7 November 2013
Thursday November 7, 2013
Day 17..
Overalls on first thing for a mechanical practical session - time to service the tractors! But first we had an introduction to all the tools available on our trollies, because you absolutely need to use the right tool on the right job. We split in to groups with a tractor each and removed the casing to get at the parts that we were about to change. We started with the engine oil, with the drip tray and some containers underneath ready to catch the oil when released. Next we changed the oil filter using a strap wrench to carefully remove the old one out of it's fixing. New oil was added, allowing it to settle before checking the level. The boys removed the fuel filter and then brogan and myself fitted the new one, cleaning the glass bowl and lining up all the new rubber seals then attaching it back in place (lefty lucy and righty tighty was confusing until we learnt to watch the direction of the bolt instead!). We then opened one of the bolts on the out pipe at the back of the filter so that the air could escape as the fuel was then pumped back round the system. I then started the engine, with a few revs, listening to the tickover and that it wasn't missing - ensuring no air in there! We finished off by greasing every 'nipple' that we could find! Old oil deposited in a drum for recycling and recepticals thoroughly cleaned - job done.
So, animal husbandry this afters started with being given our next assignment - sheep production systems and flock health (weekend ruined) then discussed condition scoring. This is imperative to keeping sheep - from breeding and keeping stock to selling to the different markets - export, supermarket and butchers. The correct condition also enhances a sheeps fertility and therefore the whole lambing process, from a good birth to providing colostrum required when the lamb is first born.
We then moved on to sheep diseases, but to be honest I think I will need to go over this more, to take in all the potential diseases, prevention and cures!
Oooooooooooooooh we also had a quick maths lesson incorporating some sheep, a silage pit and winter feeding! Calculating feeding rations is important, they are used at different stages of a sheeps life - for example when lambing and being finished, so basic maths is a must. And I can now remember how to calculate a volume of something by working out the area first! (I am learning yay!)
Overalls on first thing for a mechanical practical session - time to service the tractors! But first we had an introduction to all the tools available on our trollies, because you absolutely need to use the right tool on the right job. We split in to groups with a tractor each and removed the casing to get at the parts that we were about to change. We started with the engine oil, with the drip tray and some containers underneath ready to catch the oil when released. Next we changed the oil filter using a strap wrench to carefully remove the old one out of it's fixing. New oil was added, allowing it to settle before checking the level. The boys removed the fuel filter and then brogan and myself fitted the new one, cleaning the glass bowl and lining up all the new rubber seals then attaching it back in place (lefty lucy and righty tighty was confusing until we learnt to watch the direction of the bolt instead!). We then opened one of the bolts on the out pipe at the back of the filter so that the air could escape as the fuel was then pumped back round the system. I then started the engine, with a few revs, listening to the tickover and that it wasn't missing - ensuring no air in there! We finished off by greasing every 'nipple' that we could find! Old oil deposited in a drum for recycling and recepticals thoroughly cleaned - job done.
So, animal husbandry this afters started with being given our next assignment - sheep production systems and flock health (weekend ruined) then discussed condition scoring. This is imperative to keeping sheep - from breeding and keeping stock to selling to the different markets - export, supermarket and butchers. The correct condition also enhances a sheeps fertility and therefore the whole lambing process, from a good birth to providing colostrum required when the lamb is first born.
We then moved on to sheep diseases, but to be honest I think I will need to go over this more, to take in all the potential diseases, prevention and cures!
Oooooooooooooooh we also had a quick maths lesson incorporating some sheep, a silage pit and winter feeding! Calculating feeding rations is important, they are used at different stages of a sheeps life - for example when lambing and being finished, so basic maths is a must. And I can now remember how to calculate a volume of something by working out the area first! (I am learning yay!)
Wednesday, 6 November 2013
Wednesday November 6, 2013
Day sixteen..
Break over, back to work slash the classroom!
So, now that we are all masters of tractor engines, it was time to take it up a gear and move on to what comes next!?!? The clutch and the gearbox..
The clutch separates the gears from the engine but works in conjunction with the gearbox - selecting the correct gear for the task, by way of the required amount of power. Power being a combination of speed and torque (the turning force <- learn this word and meaning!) and is the rate at which energy is converted in to work.
Power is measured in watts or kilowatts or horse power as it was known, therefore 1 hp = 0.76kw. Torque is measured in Nm (Newton metres) whereby 1m to 1kg = 1 Nm. Torque peaks at low engine speeds and power at high engine speeds (the techy info!)
We then moved on to the different transmissions; pneumatic, electric, hydraulic and mechanical and how these systems work around the tractor and what they do :-
Electric - lights, motors, switches, solenoids, batteries, monitors (typical tractor battery 12v DC)
Hydraulic - three point linkage, tipping etc
Mechanical - PTO (power take off), fan belt, timing chain etc
Pneumatic - less popular in agricultural machinery, but could be used to put air in tyres for example
After a morning of theory we went off to our afternoon practicals, today we went to check the 'fat lambs' (those being prepped for lamb packs). The sheep were herded in to the penning system - despite dex the dogs attempts to chase them all away! The ewe lambs were given a quick health check and any dags removed - remember what that is.. The rather poopey clogged up dirty bums! Not a nice job but someone's gotta do it right! They were turned away and the remainder were then checked by Dom to see if they passed the fat lamb test - feel across the back and tail test, if lucky (!) these were marked and also then health checked and dags removed, ready for the inevitable!
Dom will keep an eye on one of these lambs as it was lame, and you can't send a lame lamb to slaughter (it could be deemed that there is an infection, and that this has spread up the leg and possibly further). So it's feet were trimmed as they were pretty overgrown and hopefully this will ease it's walking.
Back at the workshop the equipment was washed, clippers and trimmers, and greased ready for next time (a good shepherd looks after his tools). Another day done.
Break over, back to work slash the classroom!
So, now that we are all masters of tractor engines, it was time to take it up a gear and move on to what comes next!?!? The clutch and the gearbox..
The clutch separates the gears from the engine but works in conjunction with the gearbox - selecting the correct gear for the task, by way of the required amount of power. Power being a combination of speed and torque (the turning force <- learn this word and meaning!) and is the rate at which energy is converted in to work.
Power is measured in watts or kilowatts or horse power as it was known, therefore 1 hp = 0.76kw. Torque is measured in Nm (Newton metres) whereby 1m to 1kg = 1 Nm. Torque peaks at low engine speeds and power at high engine speeds (the techy info!)
We then moved on to the different transmissions; pneumatic, electric, hydraulic and mechanical and how these systems work around the tractor and what they do :-
Electric - lights, motors, switches, solenoids, batteries, monitors (typical tractor battery 12v DC)
Hydraulic - three point linkage, tipping etc
Mechanical - PTO (power take off), fan belt, timing chain etc
Pneumatic - less popular in agricultural machinery, but could be used to put air in tyres for example
After a morning of theory we went off to our afternoon practicals, today we went to check the 'fat lambs' (those being prepped for lamb packs). The sheep were herded in to the penning system - despite dex the dogs attempts to chase them all away! The ewe lambs were given a quick health check and any dags removed - remember what that is.. The rather poopey clogged up dirty bums! Not a nice job but someone's gotta do it right! They were turned away and the remainder were then checked by Dom to see if they passed the fat lamb test - feel across the back and tail test, if lucky (!) these were marked and also then health checked and dags removed, ready for the inevitable!
Dom will keep an eye on one of these lambs as it was lame, and you can't send a lame lamb to slaughter (it could be deemed that there is an infection, and that this has spread up the leg and possibly further). So it's feet were trimmed as they were pretty overgrown and hopefully this will ease it's walking.
Back at the workshop the equipment was washed, clippers and trimmers, and greased ready for next time (a good shepherd looks after his tools). Another day done.
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