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!)