Farmin g Familie s © PeeKdesigns An Introduction to Farming There’s a whole lot of life on the farm!

Farmin g Familie s © 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

Farmin g Familie s © PeeKdesigns A farmer’s life Farmers 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 Cotton Photo courtesy of Northern Tablelands LLS

Farmin g Familie s © PeeKdesigns Types of Farms in Australia There 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.

Farmin g Familie s © PeeKdesigns Food, Fibre or Other On 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: AnimalFoodFibreOtherDescribe the use Cattle Farming ✓✓✓ Meat – steak, veal Hair – brushes, felt Skin – leather

Farmin g Familie s © PeeKdesigns Can you think of what food, fibres or other uses I am farmed for? Cattle Farming Photo credit: K. Coleman

Farmin g Familie s © 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.

Farmin g Familie s © PeeKdesigns Dairy Cattle Farming Dairy 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.

Farmin g Familie s © PeeKdesigns Can you think of what food, fibres or other uses I am farmed for? Cotton Farming

Farmin g Familie s © PeeKdesigns Cotton Farming Cotton 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).

Farmin g Familie s © PeeKdesigns Can you think of what food, fibres or other uses I am farmed for? Grain Farming

Farmin g Familie s © PeeKdesigns Grain Crops Over 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.

Farmin g Familie s © PeeKdesigns Wheat Farming Wheat 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.

Farmin g Familie s © PeeKdesigns Can you think of what food, fibres or other uses I am farmed for? Sheep Farming

Farmin g Familie s © PeeKdesigns Sheep (meat) Farming Farming 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.

Farmin g Familie s © PeeKdesigns Sheep (wool) Farming The 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.

Farmin g Familie s © PeeKdesigns Can you think of what food, fibres or other uses I am farmed for? Fruit and Vegetable Farming Photo credit: K. Coleman

Farmin g Familie s © PeeKdesigns Fruit and Vegetable Farming Fruit 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.

Farmin g Familie s © PeeKdesigns Can you think of what food, fibres or other uses I am farmed for? Poultry Farming Photo credit: K. Coleman

Farmin g Familie s © PeeKdesigns Poultry Farming Poultry 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.

Farmin g Familie s © PeeKdesigns Can you think of what food, fibres or other uses I am farmed for? Viticulture (wine grapes) Photo credit: K. Coleman

Farmin g Familie s © 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. Photo credit: K. Coleman

Farmin g Familie s © PeeKdesigns Can you think of what food, fibres or other uses I am farmed for? Goat Farming Photo courtesy of Northern Tablelands LLS

Farmin g Familie s © PeeKdesigns Goat Farming Goats 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.

Farmin g Familie s © PeeKdesigns Can you think of what food, fibres or other uses I am farmed for? Pig Farming

Farmin g Familie s © PeeKdesigns Pig Farming Pigs 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!

Farmin g Familie s © PeeKdesigns Other Farming Industries Aquaculture ◦ Fish, crustaceans, molluscs and plants Agroforestry ◦ Wood, mulch Sugar Cane ◦ Sugar, alcohol, mulch

Farmin g Familie s © PeeKdesigns Now that you are inspired about farms, it is time to get writing for the 2014 Farming Families Enviro-Stories competition! GOOD LUCK