Farm Agskills provides a basic guide to some of the skills needed in farming. The book contains step-by-step instructions, diagrams, and full-colour pictures. Some of the skills included are:

• Pastures• Calibration of machinery• Rope knots• Soil• Fencing - including electric• The benefits of trees

Acknowledgements

Written by: Jennifer Laffan and David Brouwer

Introduction

The aim of this book is to provide a practical guide to operating and maintaining a tractor.

Tractor Agskills is part of a series of Agskills books produced by Tocal College. Tocal is an agricultural training and resource centre based in the Hunter Valley, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Tocal College is part of the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries.

The Agskills series aims to provide simple explanations of a wide range of practical tasks performed in farming. It has been developed by the Department’s Home Study Program for agriculture which was initiated in 1986. This booklet and others in the series were updated after 2005. Industry personnel and departmental officers have been involved in compiling these Agskills. There is more information on the Agskills series at the end of this book.

The Check Your Skill section for many of these skills relates to Australian National Competencies in the AHC10 - Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management training package.

As well as a wide range of publications, Tocal College provides full-time or short courses and online training.

External courses. You can study these nationally recognised courses through Tocal no matter where you live. Enrol at any time and study at your own pace.

Short courses. Tocal has one and two day courses for land owners covering topics such as weeds, pastures, livestock, fencing, chemical use, all terrain vehicles and safe tractor and chainsaw operation.

Full-time study. School leavers and others interested in a career in agriculture or horse breeding will receive a great head start by studying at Tocal.

1800 025 520 or www.tocal.com for further information

Tocal — your hand on the land