Spring
Two boys holding a Lamb each in spring
The two boys in this photograph are holding a pair of baby lambs while sheep graze in the background. Lambs are usually born in spring-time.
Irish Farmers' JournalTwo boys holding a Lamb each in spring
The two boys in this photograph are holding a pair of baby lambs while sheep graze in the background. Lambs are usually born in spring-time.
Irish Farmers' JournalSpring is a very exciting time on the farm. Lots of young animals are born. Lambs are born. Usually they are born indoors and then they go out to the field with their mothers. They learn to eat grass and grow strong and healthy. Young lambs are very playful. Have you ever seen young lambs play together in the fields?
The land is ploughed in spring. The farmer fertilises the land and plants the seeds.
On a dairy farm, calves are born and cows are milked.
Summer
This is a photograph of cattle grazing in a field
This photograph shows cattle grazing in a large open field.
This is a photograph of cattle grazing in a field
This photograph shows cattle grazing in a large open field.
Grass grows during the summer. Grass is an important crop. Some of it is used to graze animals. The rest is harvested as silage and hay to feed animals during the winter.
Crops ripen during the summer. The farmer sprays weed killers and pesticides to prevent damage to the crops.
Sheep are sheared during the summer. The farmer removes their long fleeces, usually with electric shears. The wool is packed into large bales and sold. Woollen mills produce the wool that is used for clothes and blankets and carpets.
On a dairy farm, the cows are milked.
Autumn
Combine harvester in Autumn
This photograph shows a combine harvester. It is harvesting a large crop.
Irish Farmers' JournalCombine harvester in Autumn
This photograph shows a combine harvester. It is harvesting a large crop.
Irish Farmers' JournalCrops are harvested in the autumn. Large machines, called combine harvesters cuts the stalks and separates the grain.
Fruit and vegetables are picked and sent to the market.
Land is ploughed and fertilised and winter crops are sown.
Beef cattle are sent to market. On dairy farms, cows are milked.
Winter
Cattle in sheds
This photograph shows some cattle being fed in a modern shed. Cattle are usually brought into sheds like these during the long winter. Here they are warm and are fed on hay or silage.
Irish Farmers' JournalCattle in sheds
This photograph shows some cattle being fed in a modern shed. Cattle are usually brought into sheds like these during the long winter. Here they are warm and are fed on hay or silage.
Irish Farmers' JournalAs the weather gets colder the farmer brings the animals into sheds. They are fed with the silage the farmer prepared during the summer. Cows are also brought into sheds and they are milked.
Some animals are wintered outside. They are fed every day by the farmer. When the weather is stormy and when snow falls, the farmer brings extra food to sheep on high ground.