Form 4 headed out for a fascinating day on the farm, discovering first-hand where their food comes from and the vital role that weather plays in food production.
The visit complemented their Geography studies this term, which explore the importance of the water cycle in creating weather patterns and the crucial role farming plays in our everyday lives.
We were delighted to be welcomed by Rob Kynaston, who generously gave the pupils an insight into life on his mixed dairy farm. During the visit, Rob explained how modern farming balances food production with environmental responsibility, highlighting the importance of recycling farm by-products and carefully managing the natural environment.
Among the highlights were the farm’s state-of-the-art robotic milking machines. Pupils watched in amazement as the robots identified individual cows using barcode-style scanners before manoeuvring themselves into position beneath the udders to carry out the milking process.
The children also learned how crops such as wheat and barley are grown and used as animal feed. A particular favourite was the farm’s latest technological addition: an autonomous feed-pushing robot, whose Dalek-like appearance caused considerable excitement as it quietly travelled around the barns ensuring the cattle’s feed remained within easy reach.
Despite dodging a few rain showers along the way, the pupils enjoyed a memorable and highly educational day, returning to school with a greater appreciation of the journey food takes from farm to table.
