Apparatus for and method of farming

摘要

A farming system is disclosed in which an enclosure is constructed at the center of a circular block of grazing land. Typically a milking shed is located in the enclosure for dairy cows grazed on the land. The land is divided into sectors by fencing extending outwardly from the enclosure. The land is irrigated by a center pivot irrigator programmed to irrigate the sectors selectively. Gates are erected around the enclosure to allow the animals to move selectively between the sectors and the enclosure. The fencing may be movable and be located to define a wedge shaped paddock which moves around the block. Alternatively fixed fencing may be provided which divides the land into a series of paddocks between which the animals move selectively. The outer end of at least the forward movable fence may be carried on a vehicle which is steered by sensing a fence around the perimeter of the block and moves automatically around the block. The enclosure may be provided with an annular passageway for the animals located inside the perimeter gates, and a cross passageway and has an outer periphery in which is provided the gates for allowing the animals in the herd to move between the sectors and the enclosure.