0:00:02 > 0:00:06# Come and join us down on the farm today
0:00:06 > 0:00:10# Learn about nature along the way
0:00:10 > 0:00:13# From seeds to crops And field to barn
0:00:13 > 0:00:15# So much to do down on the farm
0:00:15 > 0:00:19# Summer, autumn, winter, spring Ploughing, planting, harvesting
0:00:19 > 0:00:24# With JB and Storm to lead the way
0:00:24 > 0:00:30# Come join us down on the farm today. #
0:00:30 > 0:00:33Hello, I'm JB and welcome to Down On The Farm.
0:00:33 > 0:00:37Spring is here and it's a good time for farmers to plant seeds
0:00:37 > 0:00:40that will grow into plants and crops later in the year
0:00:40 > 0:00:42using machines like this.
0:00:42 > 0:00:47So while I help out on this farm, let's find out what Storm is doing.
0:00:53 > 0:00:57In springtime, many farms are springing into life,
0:00:57 > 0:01:00but this farm has been busy all winter long
0:01:00 > 0:01:04growing something that sounds like it might be a flower,
0:01:04 > 0:01:07but it's actually one of my favourite vegetables.
0:01:07 > 0:01:09Cauliflower.
0:01:09 > 0:01:12Cauliflowers are from the same family of vegetables
0:01:12 > 0:01:16as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage.
0:01:16 > 0:01:20Farmer Mark grows lots of them on his farm.
0:01:27 > 0:01:31- Hi, Mark. Hi, Max. Hi, Ellie. - ALL:- Hi, Storm.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34I hear you've been really busy already today.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36What have you been up to?
0:01:36 > 0:01:40We've planted these tiny little cauliflower plants in this field
0:01:40 > 0:01:44in rows to give them lots of space to make them grow bigger.
0:01:44 > 0:01:48- Is there anything else left to do? - Yeah, you can help us plant more.
0:01:48 > 0:01:50Fantastic.
0:01:50 > 0:01:55Farmer Mark uses this machine to plant the cauliflowers.
0:01:55 > 0:02:00The machine makes sure each plant has enough room to grow.
0:02:00 > 0:02:04Now it's time for us to try planting by hand.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09Move the soil. That's it. Put it in the ground.
0:02:09 > 0:02:11Then press it with your foot.
0:02:13 > 0:02:17After this, the plants are covered with a big plastic blanket.
0:02:17 > 0:02:19This keeps them warm and cosy
0:02:19 > 0:02:22and protects them from the cold to help them grow.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25- BOTH: Finished.- Great job, team.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28So, Mark, is spring the best time to plant cauliflower?
0:02:28 > 0:02:34A perfect time. We don't just plant cauliflowers, we also harvest them.
0:02:37 > 0:02:41So, are these the cauliflowers that are ready to be harvested?
0:02:41 > 0:02:43Yes, they were planted last summer.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46The harvesting team have a special machine.
0:02:46 > 0:02:50- It is very clever. It doesn't even need a driver.- No driver?
0:02:50 > 0:02:52Well, that's what I call a smart machine.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55You cut the cauliflowers, put them in the cups,
0:02:55 > 0:02:59and the cups go round to the back of the trailer where it's packed.
0:02:59 > 0:03:03BOTH: Let's give the cauliflower to the delivery man.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06Sounds good to me.
0:03:06 > 0:03:10After all the cauliflowers have been packed into crates,
0:03:10 > 0:03:15they can be sent to nearby farm shops and restaurants to be sold.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18Well, everyone has worked really hard today
0:03:18 > 0:03:21so the only thing left to do is to try some of this cauliflower.
0:03:21 > 0:03:26- This is our favourite way to eat it. - Cauliflower cheese!
0:03:30 > 0:03:35Now, let's find out how some other plants are grown in spring.
0:03:35 > 0:03:38BEEP! BEEP!
0:03:38 > 0:03:42Spring is a time when we start to see lots of colourful plants
0:03:42 > 0:03:46and brightly-coloured crops in fields.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49But before these plants and crops were grown,
0:03:49 > 0:03:51they started life as a seed.
0:03:53 > 0:03:57Seeds can come in lots of different shapes and sizes
0:03:57 > 0:04:01and they are covered in a special coat to help protect them.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05When a seed is planted underground,
0:04:05 > 0:04:10it needs the right amount of water and warmth for it to grow.
0:04:11 > 0:04:15When ready, it pushes open the seed coat.
0:04:15 > 0:04:19A tiny root grows downwards and the shoot grows upwards
0:04:19 > 0:04:24until its seedling pushes through the soil in search of sunlight.
0:04:24 > 0:04:29This amazing growing process is called germination.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37OWL HOOTS
0:04:37 > 0:04:41- It's springtime. - Birds like to build nests.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44- And lay eggs.- Today we are going to help the barn owls.
0:04:44 > 0:04:48- ALL:- By building a nest box.
0:04:48 > 0:04:50JB: A nest box is like a little house
0:04:50 > 0:04:54where birds, like owls, can lay their eggs in spring.
0:04:54 > 0:04:58This is Chris. He's an owl expert.
0:04:58 > 0:05:00I have got a bit of a task for you today.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03- We're going to build an owl house. - Let me hold it up.
0:05:03 > 0:05:07The nest box starts off in lots of pieces like a jigsaw puzzle.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09Why is the owl door so high?
0:05:09 > 0:05:13The door is high up so the baby owls, called owlets,
0:05:13 > 0:05:17don't accidentally fall out before they learn to fly.
0:05:17 > 0:05:21We use lots of screws to help secure the nest box and make it strong.
0:05:21 > 0:05:25- Who wants to do this one? - Me, me, me, me!- Me!
0:05:28 > 0:05:30What do you think?
0:05:30 > 0:05:32I want to live in it!
0:05:32 > 0:05:36- So what do you think we need to do next?- We need to paint it!
0:05:42 > 0:05:46The paint is waterproof and it keeps the box dry on the inside
0:05:46 > 0:05:50so it lasts a long time and the owl and owlets will be really cosy.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53Lizzie, shall we do some more here?
0:05:53 > 0:05:57It's a special paint that is safe for the owls and the environment.
0:05:57 > 0:06:01- I love painting. - I love it cos I love getting messy.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06So does anybody know what an owl pellet is?
0:06:06 > 0:06:08Is it sick?
0:06:08 > 0:06:10Owls eat small animals like mice,
0:06:10 > 0:06:15but can't digest the fur and bones so they sick them up in pellets.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18We need to separate out the soft fur from the bone
0:06:18 > 0:06:22because we can use this to help keep the owlets warm and cosy.
0:06:24 > 0:06:28- Do you think we've got enough now? - I think we have.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31I'll take this away, put it in the bottom of the box
0:06:31 > 0:06:34and that will make a lovely bed for the owls.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37You've done an absolutely amazing job.
0:06:37 > 0:06:39The barn owls will love this.
0:06:39 > 0:06:43- Where do you think we should put it? Yeah.- In a tree.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46- Do you want it high up in the tree? - Not too high.
0:06:46 > 0:06:48- Not too high.- In the middle.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51If it's up high then the babies might fall out.
0:06:51 > 0:06:53We need to find a nice friendly farmer
0:06:53 > 0:06:57- who will keep it on his farm and look after it.- Definitely.
0:06:57 > 0:07:02There's one more thing to add to make this nest box really special.
0:07:02 > 0:07:06Yay! Well done, everybody. Well done. Good job.
0:07:06 > 0:07:10CHICKEN CLUCKS
0:07:10 > 0:07:13- STORM:- Spring is here, my feathered friends
0:07:13 > 0:07:16It's time to build a nest again
0:07:16 > 0:07:19I glimpse you as you're darting off
0:07:19 > 0:07:23In search of sticks or feathers soft
0:07:23 > 0:07:27In a hidden nook or hollow tree
0:07:27 > 0:07:30On rocky cliff tops by the sea
0:07:30 > 0:07:33You build your nest with what you find
0:07:33 > 0:07:36Swoop back and forth time after time
0:07:36 > 0:07:40Tangled twigs, old eggs in place
0:07:40 > 0:07:44The softest moss will keep them safe
0:07:44 > 0:07:47But I'd lay mine in a feather bed
0:07:47 > 0:07:51Or a cradle made with spiders webs.
0:07:59 > 0:08:03Back in the winter Storm found out how cows come into the barn
0:08:03 > 0:08:04when it's cold outside.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07Now, it's spring, I've come to another farm
0:08:07 > 0:08:11to find out how cows are looked after at this time of year.
0:08:11 > 0:08:15And I've brought along a few friends to give me a hand.
0:08:15 > 0:08:17- ALL:- Yeah!
0:08:17 > 0:08:21- Where do you think we'll find Farmer Stephanie?- In the field!
0:08:21 > 0:08:23Let's go and find out.
0:08:25 > 0:08:27There she is.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32- Hi, Stephanie.- Hey, everyone. - Where are all the cows?
0:08:32 > 0:08:36The cows are still in the shed, but I'm just checking the grass.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38Why is that, Farmer Stephanie?
0:08:38 > 0:08:42In winter, the grass doesn't grow as well as it does in spring
0:08:42 > 0:08:46so I'm checking if it's long enough so the cows can come out.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49In the meantime, we need to give them something else to eat.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52- Do you guys want to come and help? - ALL:- Yes.
0:08:55 > 0:08:59This is silage and this what we give the cows in the winter months.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02Silage is grass that we cut in the summertime
0:09:02 > 0:09:04and store in a big pit over winter.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07We pack it down to keep the air out and preserve it
0:09:07 > 0:09:10and feed it to the cows in winter and spring.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13- It looks a wee bit brownie. - Yeah, it is really brown.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15It smells like vinegar.
0:09:15 > 0:09:16It's really smelly...
0:09:18 > 0:09:20..but these guys love it.
0:09:20 > 0:09:22Right, let's get feeding.
0:09:40 > 0:09:44Well done, guys, that was great work, but there's still more to do.
0:09:44 > 0:09:46We're going to give them a bath.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49Did she say, "Give them a bath"?
0:09:49 > 0:09:52Steph, are you sure we need to wash the cows?
0:09:52 > 0:09:54Yes, the cows need a wash just like us
0:09:54 > 0:09:57so they're nice and clean and fluffy for the market.
0:09:57 > 0:09:58Do you use shampoo?
0:09:58 > 0:10:02Yes, we use shampoo and we even use hair gel to style their hair
0:10:02 > 0:10:07- when we go to shows and sales. - Well, Jasmine, it's bath time.
0:10:07 > 0:10:11First, we use a hose to get Jasmine's coat all wet.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15Then, we add the soapy bubbles.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20Then we give her a rinse.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23Now Jasmine's all nice and clean.
0:10:27 > 0:10:31Well, Stephanie, the cows have been well looked after today.
0:10:31 > 0:10:35Thank you for letting us come to your farm and learn all about them.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37- ALL:- Thank you!
0:10:37 > 0:10:40And thank you guys for all your help today.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42Now, while we go and get cleaned up,
0:10:42 > 0:10:45you can find out more about the countryside.
0:10:49 > 0:10:54In spring, lots of birds make nests to lay their eggs.
0:10:54 > 0:10:59Nests help keep the eggs safe until baby birds are born.
0:10:59 > 0:11:03You can help keep the baby birds safe too.
0:11:03 > 0:11:07Please don't ever pick up a nest or eggs that you find.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10Be kind when you're out and about.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18- STORM:- Today, we're in Dorset to meet Justin.
0:11:18 > 0:11:23He works at a plant where people bring green waste like this.
0:11:23 > 0:11:27It's made up of things like garden rubbish and old bits of trees
0:11:27 > 0:11:29that come from places like parks.
0:11:29 > 0:11:33We're going to take green waste, something that no-one really wants,
0:11:33 > 0:11:37and recycle it into something really useful for farmers.
0:11:37 > 0:11:38It's compost.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41Farmers love to use compost in their fields
0:11:41 > 0:11:44to feed the soil and help their crops grow.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47When the green waste arrives we have to check it
0:11:47 > 0:11:50to make sure it's suitable for our plant.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53We don't want anything in there that might ruin the compost
0:11:53 > 0:11:56so we take things out like plastic bags.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59The waste gets picked up by these tractors
0:11:59 > 0:12:02and emptied into special machines called shredders.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05They have huge blades inside.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08As you can hear, the shredder is big and noisy.
0:12:08 > 0:12:13It has really big blades which chop up the waste into smaller bits.
0:12:13 > 0:12:17A special type of liquid called leachate is added to the compost
0:12:17 > 0:12:19inside this machine.
0:12:19 > 0:12:21Compost likes to be moist
0:12:21 > 0:12:25so by adding leachate, it helps the waste break down much quicker.
0:12:26 > 0:12:30Next, the mixture is placed in massive rows outside.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32These are called wind rows.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35Look how big they are!
0:12:35 > 0:12:38And then we test each wind row using a probe.
0:12:38 > 0:12:40We test how hot it is,
0:12:40 > 0:12:43how wet it is and how much air is getting in.
0:12:43 > 0:12:48Sometimes, the compost in the wind row gets much hotter in the centre
0:12:48 > 0:12:49and cooler in the edges.
0:12:49 > 0:12:54To make good compost, it needs to be the same temperature throughout,
0:12:54 > 0:12:58so we mix it using this special machine, a compost turner.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01Finally, it gets bagged up ready to be collected
0:13:01 > 0:13:02by people like farmers
0:13:02 > 0:13:07who will load it onto their tractors and spread it on their fields.
0:13:07 > 0:13:11There, lots of lovely fresh compost to make the fields healthy.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18We've have had a fantastic day down on the farm
0:13:18 > 0:13:20and we hope you've enjoyed it too.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23If you want to have fun on your own farm,
0:13:23 > 0:13:26go to the CBeebies website to play the Down On Your Farm game.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29See you next time. Bye.
0:13:29 > 0:13:34# Come and join us down on the farm today
0:13:34 > 0:13:38# Learn about nature along the way
0:13:38 > 0:13:40# From seeds to crops And field to barn
0:13:40 > 0:13:42# So much to do down on the farm
0:13:42 > 0:13:47# Summer, autumn, winter, spring Ploughing, planting, harvesting
0:13:47 > 0:13:51# With JB and Storm to lead the way
0:13:51 > 0:13:58# Come join us down on the farm today. #