New Page 3

Crop Rotation

Crop rotation is the process of changing the crop you grow in a specific field in a planned sequence to produce the maximum amount of crops. It replaces nutrients in the soil, prevents erosion and also limits the need for pesticides by breaking up the natural cycle of weeds and insects. Farmers plan out growing cycles according to their specific soil to get the maximum yield. For example since corn takes in a lot of nitrogen from the soil without replacing it, a farmer would plant corn for a year or two then switch to a crop like clover which replenishes the nitrogen content. This is a very commonly practiced method of farming and it produces very positive results.

http://www.ctic.purdue.edu/Core4/CT/Choices/Choice6.html

Cover Farming

Cover farming is the process of planting a secondary crop amongst of the main crop to prevent weeds from growing. Farmers use mixtures of clovers and grasses for this purpose. The crops that farmers plant as their cover not only keep the carbon and nitrogen in the soil, they also aid in stopping erosion. The added price of the cover is outweighed by the added success of the crop and the healthier soil left behind. The cover crop must be planted each time you plan to grow directly after tillage to prevent erosion. Cover farming reduces labor, increases profit and protects the environment.

http://ifs.orst.edu/pubs/multiple_impacts_cover_cro.html

Chicken Raising

Raising chickens is a complicated process. From incubation to their eventual sale they must be attended to every day. During incubation they must be kept at a constant temperature to ensure healthy chickens. After they hatch they must be checked for physical problems such as curled toes, and if any problems are found they must be fixed. Directly after hatching you must introduce them to water and food and teach them how to eat and drink. When they finally reach the age that they can lay eggs you must feed them food enhanced with calcium, and possibly antibiotics. It is important to keep chickens disease free because diseases spread quickly, especially in a barn with poor ventilation. Generally chickens are only kept for two years for egg laying before being sold for meat.

http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/BRKRaisingChicks.html

Cattle Raising

There are many sub categories of cattle farming that a farmer can choose depending on their situation. They can choose to have either dairy or beef cows, or they could choose to simply breed calf’s to sell to other farmers. Actually maintaining the cows once they mature is a pretty basic process. The cows need lots of feed, or grass depending if they are indoors or outdoors, and they also need a lot of water. If they are raised indoors their stalls must be cleaned regularly but ensuring their safety is easier. If outdoors they must either have a very large field, or be shifted from field to field so that that grass has time to grow back. Dairy cows must be milked regularly or else it is very uncomfortable for the cow. Whichever method a farmer chooses to raise cows, it is the same basic process. Cows need what all animal need to survive, food, water, and attention to any problems from the farmer.

http://www.les1.man.ac.uk/multimedia/cattle.htm