farmin g familie s © peekdesigns an introduction to farming there’s a whole lot of life on the...

Farming

Families

© PeeKdesigns

An Introduction to FarmingThere’s a whole lot of life on the farm!

Farming

Families

© PeeKdesigns

What is Farming?Farms are

important for everyone.

We get all of the food we eat from farms – some fresh, some processed.

Farms also supply a lot of the fibres and other materials that we use every day.

Food examples:Meat, Dairy (milk, cheese), Oils Fruits and Vegetables

Fibre examples:Cotton, Wool, Silk, Hemp

Other examples:Leather, Wood, Rubber

Farming

Families

© PeeKdesigns

A farmer’s lifeFarmers are very important for growing the produce that we use.

Farmer’s don’t just harvest crops or breed stock.

Farmers need to know about the land, crops, animals, selling the products and managing money.

Farmer’s need to be a mechanic, plumber and even a vet when needed.

Sowing CottonPhoto courtesy of Northern Tablelands LLS

Farming

Families

© PeeKdesigns

Types of Farms in AustraliaThere are a lot of different types of farms in

Australia.We have a wide range of climates, soil types

and available water (when not in drought). This gives us different types of farming,

depending on the local conditions. Learn about some of the different types of

farming that you can find in Australia by going through the following slides.

Farming

Families

© PeeKdesigns

Food, Fibre or OtherOn your worksheets, you need to mark which of the following farms provide us with food, fibre or other use. There can be more than one use.

Write down in the space provided what you think that use is. For example:Animal Food Fibre Other Describe the use

Cattle Farming ✓ ✓ ✓

Meat – steak, vealHair – brushes, feltSkin – leather

Farming

Families

© PeeKdesigns

Can you think of what food, fibres or other uses I am farmed for?

Cattle Farming

Photo credit: K. Coleman

Farming

Families

© PeeKdesigns

Beef Cattle Farming In Australia, around 90% of all cattle are

used for beef. Beef cattle are raised for use as meat. All parts of the animals have a use:

◦ Meat - eating (e.g. steak and veal)◦ Skin - leather and hide coverings ◦ Hair - felts, yarns and brushes◦ Bones and Scraps - beef stock.

Australia is one of the largest cattle exporters in the world.

Farming

Families

© PeeKdesigns

Dairy Cattle FarmingDairy farming is another major cattle

industry in Australia. Dairy cows are raised for their milk. The cows are taken to a dairy where suction

cups are attached to the teats on their udders to extract the milk.

Products produced include cheese, milk, evaporated milk, yogurt and cream.

Dairy products are a great source of calcium which gives us strong bones.

Farming

Families

© PeeKdesigns


Cotton Farming

Farming

Families

© PeeKdesigns

Cotton FarmingCotton farming is found across central NSW &

QLD. Cotton is a natural fibre that is grown on the

cotton plant and can be woven or knitted together.

The fibre is processed and turned into fabrics like corduroy, jersey, velvet, flannel and chambray. These fabrics are used for clothing, furnishings, tents, bandages and cotton swabs.

Cotton seeds are crushed for oil or used as animal feed.

The stalks and leaves can be used as mulch or to make ethanol (for petrol).

Farming

Families

© PeeKdesigns


Grain Farming

Farming

Families

© PeeKdesigns

Grain CropsOver 15 million hectares of Australia is

planted with grain crops each year.Grain crops include cereals, legumes and

oilseeds.◦ Cereals - wheat, barley, sorghum and oats.◦ Legumes - lupins, field peas and chick peas.◦ Oilseeds - canola and sunflower.

A lot of the foods we eat contain some sort of grain.

Grain crops also provide feed for farm animals.

Some grain crops (like legumes) are grown to help return important nutrients to the soil.

Farming

Families

© PeeKdesigns

Wheat FarmingWheat is farmed from the seed grains of the

wheat grass. It is Australia’s largest grain crop and most

of our wheat is sold to other countries.Foods made from wheat include flour, bread,

pasta, cereals, biscuits and cakes.Wheat is one the most eaten foods in the

world.The stalks and other parts of the wheat plant

are used for making hay to feed to livestock.

Farming

Families

© PeeKdesigns


Sheep Farming

Farming

Families

© PeeKdesigns

Sheep (meat) FarmingFarming sheep for meat is a major part of

Australian farming.Australia is one of the world leaders in

growing sheep for food.Sheep meat is known as either lamb (less

than 2 years old) or mutton (older than 2 years).

Lamb is the most preferred type of sheep meat.

Sheepskins are very sought after. They are used for ugg boots, car seat coverings, gloves, coats, rugs and linings for a large variety of products.

Farming

Families

© PeeKdesigns

Sheep (wool) FarmingThe wool is harvested by shearing (cutting) it

from the sheep’s fleece. Wool is a very useful natural fibre that is

warm, water resistant and fire resistant. Some things you might find made from wool

are jumpers, socks, coats, suits, Fire-fighters uniforms, tennis ball coverings, doonas, sleeping bags, insulation, blankets, furniture coverings and carpets.

Farming

Families

© PeeKdesigns


Fruit and Vegetable Farming


Farming

Families

© PeeKdesigns

Fruit and Vegetable FarmingFruit and vegetable farming involves the

growing of crops mainly for human consumption.

A large variety of fruit and vegetables are grown all over Australia depending on the suitable climate and soil conditions.

They are usually grown on rich, fertile soils that contain a lot of nutrients.

Fruits and vegetables can be taken from all parts of the plants (stem, root, flower, fruit and leaves).

Most things that you find in a green grocer can be grown in Australia.

Farming

Families

© PeeKdesigns


Poultry Farming


Farming

Families

© PeeKdesigns

Poultry FarmingPoultry farming involves the raising of birds

for use of their eggs, meat or feathers.Poultry includes chickens, ducks, geese,

turkeys, pheasants, fowls, ostriches and emus.

Chickens are the main type of poultry in Australia.

Poultry is one of the most widely eaten meats throughout the world.

The feathers of some poultry are widely used because of their warmth to make doonas, pillows, sleeping bags and other things that need good insulation.

Farming

Families

© PeeKdesigns

Viticulture (wine grapes) Viticulture is the

growing of grapes to make wine.

Australia has developed a very strong wine industry and exports its wine all over the world.

Wine is made by the fermentation of the grapes.

Wine can be made from one or a combination of grape varieties.


Farming

Families

© PeeKdesigns

Goat FarmingGoats are used for their meat, fibre and milk.Australia is the largest exporter of goat meat

(called Chevon) in the world.Goats thrive in Australia due to their

resilience and ability to adapt to a wide range of conditions.

Goat fibres are called cashmere or mohair.◦ Mohair - very strong and often mixed with other

fibres to give texture and luster (shininess) to a fabric.

◦ Cashmere - a premium fibre that is soft, warm and light.

Goat dairy products, like fetta cheese, provides an alternative to cow’s milk products.

Farming

Families

© PeeKdesigns

Pig FarmingPigs are raised for their meat, skin (leather)

and bristles.We commonly know pig meat as pork, ham,

bacon or gammon.All parts of the pig is used in some way.

◦ Bristles - used for brushes or even in dartboards. ◦ Skin - used for leather that makes hand bags and

shoes. Traditionally footballs are made from pig leather.

Pigs are very clever animals that make great pets…if you have enough room!

Farming

Families

© PeeKdesigns

Other Farming IndustriesAquaculture

◦ Fish, crustaceans, molluscs and plants

Agroforestry

◦ Wood, mulch

Sugar Cane◦ Sugar, alcohol, mulch

Farming

Families

© PeeKdesigns

Now that you are inspired about farms, it is time to get writing for the

2014 Farming Families Enviro-Stories competition! GOOD LUCK

farmin g familie s © peekdesigns an introduction to farming there’s a whole lot of life on the...

Documents

cotton farming slide

use cattle farming meat

different types of farming

farming theres

cattle farming photo

dairy milk

coleman slide

rubber slide