Exploring the Different Types of Farm Structures

A farm structure can be defined as the composition and organization of agricultural units used in the growing of crops and rearing of farm animals. It can be used in data analysis of the farm operations of the livestock, crops, and machinery as well.

Farm structures include buildings previously used for non-agricultural purposes but later used as agricultural premises. They are categorized based on the materials used for their construction for example; wood, earth, concrete, and steel.

Examples of farm structures

1). Fences

Fences are barriers that restrict animals from destroying crops and people’s properties as well as intruders from entering the farm. They serve as a physical boundary that separates a specific area from the rest of the surroundings.

The primary purpose of fences is to keep animals within a designated area, away from crops and properties that they may damage. This not only protects the crops and properties but also ensures that the animals are kept safe and secure.

Uses of Fences:

1. They facilitate rotational grazing and night padlocking.
2. They help in controlling ticks and some internal worms such as liver flukes.
3. Fences enable farmers to isolate or confine sick animals or in-calf cows that are about to calve down in areas where they can get the best attention.
4. Wandering cattle from other farms is restricted. As a result, the spread of diseases is minimized on the farm.
5. Fences enable mixed farming to be carried out easily.
6. They enable the grouping of animals according to their age, which makes feeding easier.
7. They prevent boundary disputes.
8.  Crops have been known to do better on land where night pad-docking has been done and night pad-docking is only possible when land is fenced.
9. Fences control water points for livestock. They are used to isolate water points.
10. They prevent intruders such as thieves and trespassers from coming into the farms.
11. Fences add beauty to the farms.

Fences can be categorized based on the materials used in construction.

The following are some of the types of fencing materials:

(a) Live fences:

These fences are constructed by planting trees such as sisal, cactus, Mauritius thorn, or kiwi apple. They are used as a cheap fencing method and serve as windbreakers, provide wood fuel, and control grazing rates.

However, they require regular trimming, take a long time to establish, harbor snakes, rats, thieves, pests, and diseases, and compete with other farm crops for nutrients and moisture. Some of the trees are poisonous to farm animals.

(b) Wooden/dead fences :

This type of fence includes posts and wire (woven wire type, posts, wooden nails, and block fences made of stones and concrete). Wood is commonly used in wire fences, and it is advised to treat the timber with creosote and other preservatives.

This method of fencing is cheap in areas where wood is readily available but may not be durable unless treated against termites and rain.

(c) Electric fences:

This type of fence is mainly found in farms where pigs are raised. The land is fenced with electric wires and an electric current is passed through the wires. When pigs move near the wires, they receive a mild electric shock, which forces them to move away. This method is expensive and not practical for large-scale use.

(d) Barbed and plain wire fence:

This is the most common method of enclosing land in Africa. Barbed wire (high or low tensile) is used alone or in combination with plain wire. Treated Eucalyptus posts or live posts of trees like Ficus species are used in this type of fencing. The main advantage of using live posts is that they make a durable fence after they have taken root.

(e) Stone and concrete block fences:

Stones or blocks are held together by a mortar. There is also a rare type of fence made of soil blocks.

(f) Woven-wire fences:

This type of fence is used to confine small animals and prevent intruders from entering other people's compounds.

SUMMARY

In conclusion, we do have different types of farm structures that are used by farmers around the globe and as technology is evolving different farmers around the world tend to adapt to it in order to increase their incomes and grow their farming businesses. These include stone fences, electric fences, and wooden fences among others as we have seen above.