FARM/FARMYARD LAYOUT
Changes to the Practical Assesment
• Following a review of arrangements for the assessment of Agricultural Science at Leaving Certificate level, updated guidelines have been issued for students presenting for assessment in 2014. These can be found on the PDST website
http://www.pdst.ie/sites/default/files/LC_2013_Agricultural_Science_Practical_Coursework_-_
Revised_Guidelines_For_Teachers.pdf
Farmyard Layout for last year’s students
• Previously students were awarded 5 marks for:
• Home/Farmyard layout: the candidate will present a sketch plan indicating the principal buildings and layout of a farm, including aspect, roadways, fencing, shelter, grazing method(strip/paddock, etc.)
In 2014 .......
Students will be awarded 10 marks for:•a sketch plan indicating
– the farmhouse and buildings– the farm
•and to demonstrate their ability to discuss the farm buildings and how they provide the environmental conditions required on the farm and to demonstrate the physical/ aesthetic layout of the house in relation to the farm, farmyard and general surroundings. Suitable information/ discussion points might include e.g. planning for economy of labour, aspect, roadways, fencing, shelter, grazing methods, crops grown.
Sketch Maps
• For the practical students must include Farm Layout (e.g.aerial photo, map and their own drawing) and Buildings.
• Machinery – not required but a useful way off getting students familiar with the different types of farm machinery
• The main thing is to include as many relevant photos as possible to provide points of info.
Things that student should include in their farm sketch map
Farmyard Sketch Map - Points to Note
• Students should draw a good sketch of the farm being studied.
• Must be drawn by students, area aid maps, google maps etc. on their own are not acceptable.
• Aspect of farm should be shown by marking in North
Map Examples
Aspect of farm
indicatedRoadways & Fencing shown
Sheds clearly labelled and
laid out
Dwelling Houses shown in
relation to farmyard
Handling Facilities
Feed Storage
Sketch MapsStudent has used colour and a key to illustrate effluent pathways and hedgerows around the farmyard
Map detailing paddock grazing and roadways in relation to farmyard
Sketch Map of Farm
Area Aid Maps
• Many farmers will have copies of area aid maps.
• Students could use them to shade in or identify grazing systems or crops grown , farmyard location etc.
Silage Ley
Use of Google Earth Maps to show farm’s position in
relation to roads etc.
Aerial photos can also enhance the farmyard layout
Physical Layout of the Farmhouse
• Possible points of discussion/information might include
1. Proximity to yard -Near the yard or a distance away. Consider easy access and safety aspects with small children. Smells?, Noise level?
2. Access – only from the farmyard or seperate access from public road.
3. Services – Access to septic tank, electricity etc.
4. Orientation – maximise surface area exposed to sun
Aesthetic Impact of the farmhousePOSSIBLE POINTS OF
INFO/DISCUSSION
•View•Positive or Negative Impact on Landscape•Preservation of geographical/historical features•Natural Shelterbelts/Planting
Farm BuildingsThings to consider?
Old or New?
General or Purpose Built
Permanent?Space/Animal
Feeding Facilites
Hygeine/Disease-Slurry/Manure
Handling
Ventilation/Drafts
Handling Facilities
Storage of bedding/feed
The Airfield Trust in Dundrum, Co.Dublin is in the process of finishing its brand new purpose built farmyard. We will have a look at some of the environmental and practical conditions that the architects and builders considered in their planning and construction.
The Storage Shed
Contains:•Hay and Straw Storage•Machinery Storage•Workshop
Sliding doors allow for easy access for loading and unloading of hay
and straw. Height Clearance of 20 feet
allowing 4 rows of 4ft bales to be stacked
Covered electrics and fire extinguishers due to increased fire risk
in hay shed
All electrical fuseboards contained in machinery shed
Livestock Sheds
Hit and Miss cladding increases ventilation and
reduces drafts
Sliding system to allow greater ventilation on
warm days
Mass Concrete used in walls
All floors are pitched to allow run off into drainge channels and collection tanks and ensure good pollution and effluent
control
Gates will allow easy access to feed corridors
for farm machinery . Narrow spacing at
bottom ensures sheep can be housed also
Increased lighting for checking animals. Good
height clearance to ensure good welfare standards and easy
access for machinery
Animal feeding
• Animals will have 2ft (600mm) feed space per animal
• 15 foot is being left between rows to allow easy entry for animals and machinery
Isolation Unit for sick animals:
•Close proximity to handling facilities to aid medicine administration and vet visits
•Contains its own drainage system and tank so contaminated faeces can be stored and disposed off without increasing spread of infection
Individual Animal Houses1. Half door and hit
and miss cladding to aid ventilation
2. Rear door to allow easy acces to fallen livestock or animals giving birth
3. Electrics above ‘animal height’
4. Pitched floor to allow runoff to storage facilities
FENCED PATH AT REAR OF LIVESTOCK
HOUSING TO ALLOW EASY
MOVEMENT OF ANIMALS
Additional Features
FARM OFFICE
WASH HAND BASINS TO IMPROVE HYGEINE
AND DECREASE CONTAMINATION RISK
PLANTING OF TREES TO CREATE
SHELTERBELT AND IMPROVE
AESTHETICS
MAINTENANCE OF NATIVE
HEDGEROWSAROUND
FARMYARD
Water Charges!!!!!• A RAINWATER
HARVESTING SYSTEM HAS BEEN INCORPORATED IN ALL FARM BUILDINGS.
• WITH WATER RATES DUE TO BE IMPLEMENTED THIS COULD BECOME OF INCREASING IMPORTANCE TO IRISH FARMERS
Handling Facilities
• Facilities are necessary for dosing, vaccination, condition scoring, herd testing, etc.
• The handling unit was designed with the following in mind:
• Reduce labour requirements• Improve working conditions• Reduce the risk of injury to
both stock and the farmer
Handling Facilities
PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS• The handling unit is sited in
a convenient location in relation to farm buildings, roads and fields.
• Effluent or slurry from the handling unit is collected, stored and properly disposed of.
‘Economy of Labour’ on the farm
Things to consider• Farm Roads make herding and
movement easier• Good handling facilities• Milking Palour Set Up to ease
labour – Robotic Systems• Livestock sheds set up to allow
for easy feeding, bedding and cleaning
• Correct machinery/equipment
REMEMBER......
• PLENTY OF GOOD PHOTOS WILL PROVIDE AMPLE POINTS FOR DISCUSSION AND ALLOW THE PUPILS THE CHANCE TO DISPLAY THEIR PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE.
Additional Information/Resources
• The Teagasc Website contains lots of helpful articles of farm buildings and management
• http://www.teagasc.ie/advisory/farm_management/buildings/index.asp
• Paul Moroney writes on Farm buildings every week in The Farmers Journal