Study material

Agricultural education combines practical handiwork in the field and stable with theory on biology, technology, economics and environment. You learn best by linking what you see and do in practice with the concepts you meet at school. Ask questions about what you wonder about, and note what you experience on the farm.

Important concepts you should be able to

• 01Crop rotation, cover crops and soil management
• 02Soil type and latest soil sample (reaction rate, phosphorus, potassium)
• 03Fertilisation and nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium)
• 04Animal welfare and 'the five freedoms'
• 05Feeding of ruminants versus single-stomached animals
• 06Infection control and preventive health work
• 07Machine knowledge maintenance and occupational safety

Good habits and preparation

Read up on today's topic before class and practical work, so you recognise the concepts when they are used. Keep a logbook of your observations in the field and barn — it makes it easier to see patterns over a season. Always be aware of safety around machines and animals; respect for the working environment is part of the trade.

Where can you read more

Use the school's teaching material and subject teachers' recommendations as your starting point. Professional organisations and advisory services in agriculture publish updated guidance on cultivation, animal husbandry and regulations. Ask your apprenticeship host and your trainer, and use the farm's own instructions and logbooks as a learning source.