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 such as a seed drill, boom spray or fertiliser spreader, 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. CHAPTERS 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

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to safely handle, transport and store chemicals.

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to take a soil sample and interpret the test results.This unit applies to individuals whose job role includes undertaking soil or growing media sampling and interpreting the results as a foundation for further horticultural operations such as nutrition programs and irrigation scheduling.This unit applies to individuals who analyse information and exercise judgement to complete a range of advanced skilled activities and demonstrate deep knowledge in a specific technical area. They have accountability for the work of others and analyse, design and communicate solutions to a range of complex problems. All work is carried out to comply with workplace procedures.

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to safely prepare and apply chemicals for the control of pests, weeds and diseases, using general application equipment.