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Farm Agskills is a comprehensive guide to basic farm skills. Learn about rope knots, wire knots, the basics of electric and conventional fencing, calibrating farm machinery, inoculating and lime pelleting legume seeds, estimating pasture yields, planting trees, soil testing and farm safety. Simple to follow with step-by-step instructions, diagrams, and full-colour pictures.
Farm AgSkills is part of the AgSkills series: books that provide clear explanations about a wide range of practical tasks performed in farming. Industry personnel and departmental officers have been involved in compiling these Agskills. Find them in the iBooks Store.
CHAPTERS
About Agskills
General safety precautions
Rope knots
The clove hitch
The bowline knot
The hay knot
The quick-release knot No. 1
The quick-release knot No. 2
The sheet bend knot
The eye splice
The crown knot
The back splice
Animal halter
Rope headstall
Fencing
Introduction to fencing
Clearing and sighting the fence line (including over a hill)
Erecting fence posts
Hanging a gate
Running out and tying off wires
Constructing a horizontal end assembly
Building a conventional fence step-by-step
Safety precautions for electric fencing
Wire joining for electric fences
Earthing an electric fence
Temporary electric fences
Testing the electric fence
Building an electric fence step-by-step
Further reading
Pastures
Estimating pasture yields
Seed drill calibration
Best-value fertiliser
Fertiliser spreader calibration
Check flow rate (pendulum or discs)
Check particle distribution
Inoculating and lime pelleting legume seed
Boom spray calibration
Trees
Introduction to trees
Planting trees
Direct seeding trees and shrubs
Soil
Determine soil texture
Preventing soil structure damage
Testing soil structural stability
Measure soil acidity
Taking soil samples
Soil infiltration
Appendix 1: Common classes of soil texture
Appendix 2: Managing work health and safety risks
What is a Safe Work Method Statement?
Check your skill
AUTHORS
David Brouwer lectured in Agronomy at Tocal College for 15 years before developing a course in Conservation and Land Management for external students. He has run external diploma studies in agriculture and land management for almost 20 years. He has authored and co-authored over 50 books for students as well as running courses in property planning for farmers.
Jennifer Laffan has written many publications and training resources for the NSW Department of Primary Industries, including others in the AgSkills series.
