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