Ole McDonald Had a Farm

The term "farmer" usually refers to anyone who raises or grows living things for food or profit. A farmer's day will start early and end late. There are many different types of farms and farmers in today's farming society.

Farmers that raise livestock for profit or food are called ranchers or stockmen. The rancher's livestock will usually consist of horses, cattle or sheep. Dairy farmers focus their farming skills on the production of milk and other dairy products. Many dairy farmers also grow their own feed, including corn, alfalfa and hay. Poultry farmers depend on the raising of chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese as well as egg production. There are also farmers who raise fish for food and resale; these farmers are known as fish farmers.

Not all farmers depend on the raising of livestock. A truck farmer is a farmer that raises a variety of vegetables on his farm to later be sold in market. There are even farmers who have farms dedicated to growing trees that they will later sell to be transplanted, become lumber, or even be used for decoration. Orchards produce tree fruits such as apples and oranges, and vineyards produce raisins and wine or table grapes. Farmers not only have to raise and rear their produce but they also have to protect their profit by protecting their livestock or crops. Many threats can harm and hinder a farmers profit, such as natural predators, bugs and pests, the weather, as well as another farmers competition.