Being a good farmer requires you are able to do lots of different things. You need to feed calves, shift cows, wean calves and tag cows. You need skills to put up fences, fix pipes and troughs and get extra food for the cows like making hay.
To feed your calves you need a plastic cup and if your calf is only a few days old you only put two cups in your bottle. Then you put a bit of water in the bottle and then shake until the powder comes off the bottom of the bottle.
Shifting your cows - first you get to the back of them and make a lot of noise so they get scared and run. If you’re taking them across the road you take them slow and have someone on the road for cars so they do not hit the cows.
To put cows in the yard first you put the cows in the yard and then you separate the calves.
Then when they’re weaned you tag all your cows and calves.
If your cows are in a northern paddock and they are bucking that means that they’re happy.
To make hay first you need to cut the grass. You use a giant mower to cut it, then you flip it so it dries on both sides. Then you get the bailer to go over the dry hay and makes it into hay bales.
Fixing fences needs hammers, nails, staples, wire and battens. It is best to work with at least one other person when you repair a fence. Sometimes you need fence standards.
If there is a split in a pipe you go and turn the pump off and go and fix the slit in the pipe. Then you see where the pressure is in the tank. If you are fixing the trough you may need to replace the floating ball.
If you are a farmer and if you have cows you look after properly and if you make hay, keep tools looked after and put away then you will be a good farmer.
By Reihana
