|
What profession is been described in these guidelines? What are other names for this profession? What are some similar Occupations? What does a Farmer do? What is a Farmer? What are the duties of a farmer? What does a Farmer do? What is the workplace of a Farmer like? How do you select a farm? What are some general questions to consider? Would You Like to Be a Farmer? What Does It Take to Be a Successful Farmer? |
|
What profession is been described in these guidelines? Farmer. What are other names for this profession? Agriculturer Orchardists What are some similar Occupations? Agriculture Officer Agricultural Assistant Chief Horticultural Officer Farm Assistant Irrigation Assistant Rancher, grazier or stockman What does a Farmer do? A farmer is someone who works under the umbrella of agriculture, producing a variety of food products for human and animal consumption. Besides the general knowledge of planting dates, breeding cycles and harvesting periods, a farmer often needs a good working knowledge of mechanics in order to keep their equipment running and in optimal order. What is a Farmer? A farmer (also called an agriculturer) is a person engaged in agriculture, raising living organisms for food or raw materials. The term usually applies to people who do some combination of raising field crops, orchards, vineyards, poultry, or other livestock. A farmer is someone who works under the umbrella of agriculture, producing a variety of food products for human and animal consumption. There are several kinds of farmers ranging from farmers who raise animals to farmers who grow crops. A farmer's main goal is to produce a good crop and/or healthy animals in order to make a living and to feed the population. Farmers are responsible for all crops and livestock that are needed for us to survive. Without food, the world would slowly die, and farmers work hard every day to keep plenty of crops and animal products in the market to keep that from happening. What are the duties of a farmer? Duties & Responsibilities of Farmers Farming is much more complex than many people realize. Although farmers might once have had only some work experience and a high school diploma, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that it is much more common for farmers today to have a bachelor’s degree. Farmers might raise crops, livestock, poultry, fish and shellfish, or produce dairy products, ornamental plants or nursery products. Some farmers raise both crops and livestock or produce food for their animals on the farm. Each type of farming requires specialized skills and knowledge. Equipment and Tools Most farms are mechanized today, and a farmer must know how to operate a wide variety of farming machinery. Tractors, trucks, plows, combines, milking machines, sprayers and harvesters are typical equipment that a farmer might own or operate. Some farms still use draft animals rather than or in addition to tractors, and farmers on those operations must also know how to drive, handle and care for their teams. Small tools and equipment are also used on farms, such as garden tillers, pumps and chain saws. In addition to operating equipment and tools, a farmer must often know how to repair them. Large vs. Small Farms The size of the operation often determines a farmer’s duties. On a large farm, the farmer might be primarily a manager who directs farm workers in their duties. On a small, family-operated farm, the farmer usually performs all or most of the tasks, although other family members may assist. Bookkeeping and record keeping are also farmers’ responsibilities. What is the workplace of a Farmer like? Where a farmer works is based on which area of the agricultural industry they choose to work. Here we will outline just a few of the many options available, to include fish farming, cash crop farming, animal husbandry, and livestock production. Types The following are various types of farmers. Click on each type to learn what they do. Organic Farmer - produces fruits, vegetables, grains, or livestock without the use of pesticides, herbicides, or chemical fertilizers Grain and Forage Crop Farmer - grows grains such as wheat, barley, canola, oats, rye, flax, peas and speciality crops or forage crops Dairy Farmer - owns or manages a farm where cows are raised for the production of milk and other dairy products Poultry Farmer - raises domesticated birds such as geese, ducks, turkeys or chickens Rancher - raises livestock such as cattle or sheep, or less common livestock such as elk, bison, ostrich, emu or alpacas Beekeeper - keeps honey bees, and produces honey, pollen, royal jelly and beeswax More distinct terms are commonly used to denote farmers who raise specific domesticated animals. For example, those who raise grazing livestock, such as cattle, sheep, goats, and horses, are known as ranchers, graziers, or simply stockmen. Sheep, goat, and cattle farmers might also be referred to respectively as shepherds, goatherds, and cowherds. The term dairy farmer is applied to those engaged primarily in milk production, whether from cattle, goats, sheep, or other milk producing animals. A poultry farmer is one who concentrates on raising chickens, turkeys, ducks, or geese, for either meat, egg, or feather production, or commonly, all three. A person who raises a variety of vegetables for market may be called a truck farmer or market gardener. How do you select a farm? After carefully weighing the pros and cons of farming versus other occupations and deciding in favor of the former, you are ready to consider the questions: Where shall I farm? What kind of farming shall I undertake? A wise choice takes many factors into account. To begin with, you should not buy or rent a farm unless you have had real experience in farming. You are almost certainly doomed to disappointment and failure if you undertake so complex a business without some experience on a good farm, under the guidance of a man who is a successful farmer. What are some general questions to consider? Climate is a key factor in determining the kinds of crops that can be grown, crop yields, and the type of livestock that will thrive in the region. Some of the climatic factors to be considered are the amount and distribution of rainfall during the year, length of the growing season, severity of the winters, and the possibility of such natural hazards as drought, flood, hailstorms, windstorms, and the like. Good soil is perhaps the most essential element in farming since it determines not only what can be grown but whether yields will be high or low. The size of the farm is naturally a major consideration. Would You Like to Be a Farmer? What Does It Take to Be a Successful Farmer? To be successful, a farmer must know a great deal about his land and the products he plans to raise. Every plant and animal is a complicated organism. He who wishes to succeed in the culture of wheat, rye, corn, tobacco, or cotton, for example, must be thoroughly familiar with the characteristics of the plant, its germination and growth, the diseases and blights to which it is susceptible, and the methods of controlling them. The dairy farmer and rancher must be acquainted with the characteristics of his cattle; their feed requirements, their breeding habits, and their common illnesses. Likewise, fruit farming requires expert knowledge of tree growth as well as grafting, pruning, spraying, and fertilizing. In addition to knowing things like these, a farmer should have a sense of business, be able to sell his product where and when it is most profitable, keep adequate records (so as to know where he stands financially), and, above all, plan his production to take advantage of the most favorable markets. Here are further guidelines. http://www.qureshiuniversity.com/agricultureandfoodsciences.html |