Cereal production is a major component of the Agricultural Science leaving certificate course with the main crop being Barley. The area of land covered by cereals accounted for approximately 7% of total land farmed in Ireland in 2008. The main cereal crops grown were barley and wheat with only a small area of oats grown. The following themepage has a series of links looking at various aspects of cereal production.
Machinery in actionA selection of links showing some of tools of the trade in action.
Power Harrow in Action Wonderful video showing a power harrow in action on a commercial test track and in the field.
How a Grain Sower Works Detailed animation of the workings of an air drill grain sower.
How a Combine Works Short animation showing the flow of crop through a rotatry combine harvester.
Crops A number of links to the main crops that are grown.
Wheat Worldbook article on wheat includes good diagram of wheat plant. (Only accessible through the Schools Broadband)
Barley Production UK site giving good background on growing barley and its uses. Also good timelines for crop production for both winter and spring barley
How to get from farm to forkA number of links looking at how various crops are grown and specific practices that have been developed to improve crop growth.
Tillage farm field study The pupils will visit a Tillage farm and carry out specific studies on the farm, thereby gaining an accurate insight into the way a tillage farm functions.
The LUAS for Cereal Crops - Tramlines and Their Uses Excellent piece outlining the importance of tramlines in cereal crop production, including their infamous appearance in the Gladiator film.
Test your knowledge
Barley Production - worksheet/assessment This worksheet should be completed at the end of the topic and it should take one period to complete alternatively it could be used as a homework exercise.
Cereals QuizA 10 question quiz on aspects of growing cereals