Between the 18th and 22nd of March this year we had the opportunity to visit the Baviera region of Germany. The group was made up of 7 students and two teachers; Jordi González and Marco A. Jacho López. During the trip we made different technical visits including ones to the Deutz Fahr agricultural machinery factory, the Gotz bio-management farm, Lampl - hof direct sell, the Kellerer milk-producing cow farm, the Reitanlage Fenzl horse farm and the Schneidhuber liquid-feed pig farm. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the following groups and people for their collaboration; the managers of Terramaq Josep Maria i Lluc, Same Deutz Fahr Iberica, the farm material firm Weda and partners, BayWa and Martin Schubler, representative of the Ministry of Baviera Agriculture and Food.
On the 15th March the students from the second-year medium level Pig Breeding production course visited the forest rabbit re-population farm at Palafolls. It was a very interesting visit, given that the farm has very different management, sanitary and production processes to normal animal farms. Mr Pere Clarà explained to us all the different aspects of this facility which intends to aid the re-population of hunting zones.
+ info: http://www.granjaclaro.es
On the 14th March the second year medium-level Gardening students visited the facilities of Jardí Pond in Terrassa. On the visit we could see and touch a whole selection of objects used in the world of gardening: soils, wood, paving, statues, rubber, pebbles ... It really was an open-air exhibition of different materials that all professionals should see.
On Thursday 14th March we went to Taradell with the students from the higher level Pig Breeding management and organisation course to visit EMBRIONES EQUINOS, a company dedicated exclusively to horse reproduction. Accompanied by the technical director, Mr Guillem Formiguera, we were able to visit the facilities, as well as find out about the latest advances in assisted reproduction and the freezing and the transplant of embryos.
+ info: http://www.ensenyament.com/
On the 12th March the first year students of the higher-level Pig Breeding management and organisation course visited the Pujalt observatory where they did different activities on a tour guided by the meteorologist Albert Borras. We studied different types of meteorological equipment, visited parts of the facility, and learnt about the relationship with agriculture and the aspects involved in weather prediction. We also looked at how to make a climate study and carried out experiments in order to understand meteorological processes better. A great, fun day all thanks to Mr Borras.
On Tuesday 12th March the higher level Pig Breeding management and organisation course students practised the calibration process on a phytosanitary (pesticide spraying) machine. What's more, the students could evaluate the different elements involved in a technical inspection and they also measured dust quality with ultra-sensitive paper. We would like to thank Mr Joan Solà for his help and the use of his machine.
+ info: http://www.regaber.com/
This week we have taken the first year medium-level Pig Breeding and Production course students to Artiga Farm, owned by the Boada-Porcel company. It is a 250 sow, closed cycle farm located in Seva. The visit gave students the chance to brush up on the subjects tackled in the pig production study plan.
On the next technical day on the 13th March we will deal with feeding, reproduction and handling themes, while still focusing on the prime objectives; reducing costs and maximising profits in a rational and practical way. The day will be led by the qualified vet, Mr Ramon Bach, and will last from 09.00 to 18.00. The day is open to all members of the public, the inscription process to attend concludes on the 11th March. Please call 938502441.
Last Thursday, 28th February, the first-year forestry and environmental conservation student group visited the Camprodon voluntary firemen park. On the visit Mr Francesc Carola, park-head, explained how the site functioned. We were able to see first-hand the equipment on board a fire engine and the latest facilities at the park. We also learnt what really pushes someone to give up their free time to voluntary work. Outings like this not only motivate our students professionally but can also stir that feeling of solidarity that we all harbour within us.
The week which included the days from the 25th to 28th February proved to be the coldest of the winter so far. The students from the above course went on an outing to cut beech trees at Vidrà. On the way to the site the school van's thermometer marked minus 8 Celsius, while snow fell as we worked on the trees - conditions to be compared to those experienced by a work gang on a gulag in Siberia. Despite this all the team did their best to keep warm and carried on with the work, cutting in a selective process to leave the forest in optimum conditions. Some specimens were up to 45 to 50 cm in diameter! All in all, we enjoyed the experience; learning that advice, sacrifice, effort.
On the 21st February we did some sowing on a part of experimental land. The students from the second-year medium level pig farm production course carried out the sowing process with three varieties of barley; Graphic, Gustav and Gaelic, using different doses too. This was after having studied sowing types, the practical side of the process and its regulations in class. The doses used were; 117 kilos/Ha, 170 kilos/Ha and 230 kilos/Ha. Using these quantities it will be possible to see the harvest results with small, medium and large amounts of seeds. Now it just has to rain and we'll wait to see the results.
We would like to introduce to you this year's technical courses within the forestry, gardening and farming sector for people connected to these fields, whether it is in an amateur or professional capacity.
