Field Practice Experiencing the Life Cycle of Farm Animals at All Seasons of the Year

At Dairy Ecosystem Research & Development Center, Hiroshima University, food is produced using the bounty of the land and livestock. In the spring, grass seeds sown in the previous autumn are harvested to produce silage and other preserved feed. Ewes that became pregnant in the fall give birth to lambs in the early spring. When the cherry blossoms fall, adult sheep are sheared, and their wool is processed into yarn and felt. Meanwhile, dairy cows give birth to calves and begin milk production throughout the year, regardless of the season. Livestock production is closely tied to the changing seasons. This exercise aims to allow participants to directly interact with livestock and pasture on the farm throughout the seasons, experience production firsthand, and learn about the cycle of livestock life and food production.