HARVEST
Each herd has about fifty cows, two breeding bulls and calves.
The breeding bulls mate with the cows, which they calf on then pasture.
If the mother can't rear a calf, because so has for example twins,
it is raised manually.
Herding and handling the animals unsettles them.
Some become aggressive.
That's why everyone involved in the job must be focused and work fast.
On the 4th of August 2006, I started my training till farmer.
In the beginning, I had trouble coping everything.
I found it really hard to be on time.
But I've established myself quickly a good reputation.
I often got a job which the other participants did not want to do.
They had driver licenses and were 'to good for it'.
My teacher showed me
that there is no need to be scared of technology.
Eventually, as we all know, you never stop learning.
Look at all those sheep!
Where is it? Here.
We could try it with a calf.
- Are you afraid? - Maybe.
Are you afraid or not?
Stay there!
We'll get her at that end.
Where are you going? He's doing a runner!
They look so angry!
Be calm now.
- You see? Not always so easy, isn't it? - Smart arse!
Now, if you want to move her, you'll need to keep a firm grip here, as security measure.
If she tries to break free, keep your hand firmly here
so that you can turn her head.
Keep a firm grip on her.
If you don't, she'll run rings around you.
Did you see it. She's a tame one.
You will have to handle the wild ones too.
What's up with Marco? Can't he be bothered?
We're not quite done yet, I have something else to show you.
If you don't listen, you'll miss half of it again.
And then you're gonna blame me.
Right, let's go.
When we're done, we'll have breakfast.
- You are yet a grown-up man, isn't it, Marco? - Yes, I am.
Well... you should be at least.
At some point...
We've talked a lot about what happened in your family.
Everything you went through as a child, and about your family problems.
But at some point in your life, you must be prepared to draw a line.
And to say:'I am now Marco, a grown up man, not Marco the son.
This is my life now.
I won't let me holding back anymore with what I went through.'
It won't get you anywhere. Well... I
I'm progressing. I'm doing my job.
Yes, you do. It's about your writing work.
You're a good worker. We have no complaints about it. And in that sense, that's precisely the reason
why We're considering taking you in if you pass the final examaniation.
But abilitity is not enough. You must want it.
We do not doubt that you are physically and psychologically ready for it
But you also need to be willing. You have to want it.
Wanting and working are two different things
It's the attitude that's important.
I'm not sure if it's right for me.
I mean, working here. But you want to be hired or not?
I have to let the board know what you want to do.
- I don't know. - That complicates of course things a bit.
- Do you have to do that? - It's good for my fingers.
If your fingers feel good when you do it now...
you'll hardly be able to move them when you are thirty.
- You reckon I'll make it to thirty?? - You don't think so?
I don't know.
Do you want some?
Thank God work is over.
Finally! What a day!
- Look. Am I sweating? - That's gross. It really smells.
The work is responsible. Take bigger strokes!
Just kidding. Carry on. Are you crazy. Don't scare me. '
If your hand slips just a tiny bit...
This razor won't do much damage. That's for sure!
Eighty, ninety euro's.
I dropped some moves earlier. Yeah, right!
How much all together? Five or six euro's.
Another crate?
- Hey, look who it is. Marco! - Marco!
Hey. Come and sit with us.
- What? - Come here.
Come on, sit down with us.
- Sit down and drink beer. - You know that I don't drink.
Where are you going? Come on, sit with us.
- See you tomorrow. - Don't be so lame!
Run off with your organic crap. You won't catch me eating that.
- What's up with him? - He is in his final year.
- Has he learned to write yet?
I don't know.
- Good morning. - Good morning.
- I'm Jakob.
So here are the big ones.
Good morning.
I'll show you what to do.
- What was your name again? - I am mrs. Thymian.
Come on. Get in there.
Move it..
They've got horns. You've got to watch those ones!
Come on, push.
- They know I'm gonna hit them on the nose. - Okay, right.
Don't you dare!
And then make sure you quickly shut the gate again.
Check if it is shut properly.
It does not have to be that clean.
When are you muck out, you always miss the odd bit of straw or dung.
You can sweep that away from the other side.
It stinks.
- Then I'll do it. - No, it's okay.
Got nothing to do?
Actually, I have.
- Don't fall asleep now. - I will not.
Okay.
Lola worked until two p.m. I've got that.
- What about you Katarina? - From seven a.m.
I'm afraid you'll have to work on Sundays during harvest.
- There is no other way. - And how about you, Cristian?
- Yesterday? - Yes.
- From seven a.m. until fifteen after eigth in the evening. - And the day before?
From seven am to five p.m.
- Did you bring in the grain yesterday? - No straw.
Well, before I check your recording books,
I would like to introduce you a new student.
- Maybe you could introduce yourself Jakob? - Okay.
Well, my name is Jacob Schiffer.
We would want to know more than that. Tell us a little about yourself.
I am from Ludwigsfelde and
I started a trainee traject at a bank, but I decided to quit the course.
So... What made you decide to go into farming
and not into banking?
I really do not know. It just was not my thing.
There is quite a difference in pay between banking and agriculture.
I bet they're all a bit snooty too.
That too. What does a banking apprentice earn?
In the first year, you get about eight hundred euro's a month.
That's a sad fact and it won't change.
Bankers will always make money then production workers.
I'd just like to say something.
The people in charge in each area are authorised to give you instructions.
If they tell you to do something, you don't reply:
'You can't boss me around, weirdo.'
- Who said that? - It does not matter.
- 'Weirdo'? Surely no one said that. - It was reported to me.
I just wanted to make it clear.
'It was reported?' What does that mean?
Either say what you mean or don't speak at all, that's my opinion.
Get it into your heads: You have to treat others with respect.
Otherwise, I'll have to write something in your references.
You go with Katherina.
Don't be scared to come and ask me if you have any questions.
- Then enjoy your first day. Okay Jakob. - Thanks.
You did not shower today?
Shit.
What did you push?
It's okay. It happened me once too.
What's all this? Did you start a flood?
- I pushed, honestly. - Okay, no problem.
Let's go.
- Hi. - Hello.
- You survived the day? - Of course.
- Are you going back tomorrow? - Yes.
- Anything to eat? - Meal is on the table.
Here you go. Number eighteen.
And a coke.
That's five euro's please.
Thank you.
- Bye. - Bye.
- Marco? - Hi? Are you okay?
- So, how are you doing? - Good. How are you?
Great. Thanks.
I was about to go in and get some more beer.
- Do you fancy a drink? - No thanks.
Okay, I understand.
- You prefer the sugary stuff anyway. - Yeah. You know me.
Is everything okay at work?
Yes.
- And life in general? - All is well.
- Do you know these girls? - No.
- Hello. - Hello.
- Maybe another time. - Okay.
- Take Care. - Bye.
- Have a nice evening. - Bye.
Have you ever had any problems? We haven't actually knocking on a tree.
- What do you mean by 'actually'? - We don't take any risk with them.
So... if we go out there today and we notice that one that of the cows
is throwing it's weight around a bit or has pricked up it's ears
or keeps moving it's head to one side,
then we know that something is up with her.
We'll have to watch our steps if she has a calf.
But so far nothing has happened to anyone yet.
What now? No, not that one.
The one on the right by your knees. Disconnect those two.
- They are not electrified? - No.
Don't worry. No electricity. Just detach them from the insulators.
That's it. Now lay them back at the car.
- Or to the side. That will work too. - Okay?
Not too far or you have to walk a mile on the way back.
That's a breeding bull I reared manually.
His name is Phillip.
He is still young. Only two years old.
- Two years? - Yeah.
Phillip!
Phillip! What are you up to?
Come here. Come on.
Phillip.
Good boy.
- You are not scared? - No, Phillip knows me, isn't it?
You see the little red one with the white tipped tail?
That might be a new one. I'll keep my eye on it.
If we can not catch it, I'll drive a little bit faster.
And when the calf lifts it's tail, you reach out and try to grab it.
- Sorry. What?
Yeah, that's a new calf.
Now we need to find out if the mother is in a good mood or not.
See how it runs.
- Now I'll have to drive a little bit faster. - what should I do now?
Hang on. Handle me those red pliers.
Now you have to... Oh, no! I did not bring the staff.
Calm down, Granny!
- What's the staff for? - 49084
What if they go for me? Stay in the car?
I didn't bring a staff. We need one.
Get out of the car now. Take this with you.
- What do I need to do? - Follow me.
I'll try to grab the calf.
If the cow goes to me, do this and say, 'Go away!'
But don't run away!
Everything is okay.
Go away! Go away!
- Like this? - That's right.
Go away! Now calm down.
You have to try and keep it's mouth shut. We don't want it to start mooing.
- Go away! - It's good.
Focus at the cow, not at me.
Move away now. Everything is fine, everything is fine.
Don't get mad now.
Calm down. Everything is now okay. Right. We did it.
You must get a bit scared when you're on your own.
Of course everyone gets a little nervous.
Open up the fence for me, will you?
You'll have to get out here.
Close the door. Close the door. Otherwise it will fall apart.
- Should I close it again? - Yes, close it.
Look at you. Was it hard labour for you.? Of course.
- Hi Jakob. - Everything okay?
Everything else okay?
- Morning. - Hello.
- Morning Holger. - Let's take a break now.
First we'll tum on the batterie and check the current.
If the animals touched this they'll get a right shock.
- What if I touch it? - You'll get a shock too.
- A bad one? - Hang on a minute.
- Take this. - Okay.
Take the leaf and touch it gently. Nothing will happen.
That is a pretty mean shock!
Now just imagine how the cows feel when they touch it with their wet noses.
- That was funny. - you found a new victim.
Exactly. A new victim.
I get sucked in so easily.
- See you later. - Bye.
You want one?
Mrs Tymian is pretty cool, is she not?
But getting up early and so... It's hard labour.
Have you ever flown?
Yeah.
Where to?
Tunisia. With my parents.
Are you studying for your exams or...?
I should be.
But instead of that I prefer to go to Lemkieten.
What's that?
- It's a lake. - A lake
- Wait a minute!
What else do you get up to? You have a girlfriend?
- Got your sights set on someone? - No, not currently.
Not at all?
I'm more...
I was with someone, but it was not a relationship.
More an internet-thing.
On the internet?
- A chat room? - Yes.
Why didn't it worked out?
I really don't know.
Oh well. You'll find someone.
Nice house.
- Okay. Thanks. - No problem. Have a nice evening.
- Is there really a tank at the bottom? - Yeah.
I'm going to have a look.
- Where is it then? - Further on.
Attention, attention! Tankriders, prepare yourself.
- Do you live on your own? - No. I share a flat.
- Since I was seventeen. - Are you with your parents?
My mom was constantly on the booze. I had to get out.
And your dad?
Not worth mentioning.
What are you staring at?
Do you have an issue?
I did not. You were staring at me.
What's the problem? Soon you'll have one, poof!
Piss off! Get lost.
- You'd think so, wouldn't you? - Any coffee left?
I'll get some out of it.
What do you get when you cross a husky with a blonde? blue and haskija?
A blonde and a husky? I have no idea.
Either a stupid mutt or one hell of a hardy hussy.
Can I have an ashtray?
- What's Mrs. Butsch like? - Mrs Butsch?
- She is like a second mum to all ofus. - She is.
Did you see earlier? I had that little scratch.
And she was like:'Oh, let's get some ointment on that!'
She's brilliant.
She helped me get my driver's license back.
- I lost my licence for four years. - Aha. what did you do?
Drving under the influence. They caught me at the border.
They opened the door and two bottles of vodka fell out.
- Seriously? - There were five of us.
They got me out and did a blood test right there, and took me with them.
Shit.
She helped me out when I got troubles with my mom.
I did not get along with her boyfriend, so she threw her out of the house.
So I was on the street.
And she took efforts so that I got a dwelling place.
It's right here in Jänickendorf.
A one bedroom apartment.
Without her help, surely I would not have found anything so fast
You can do it too, if you like. I get it from my father.
It's really bad. Hey, it might be worse.
Let's get back to work guys.
Hey. Are you ready?
- That way? - Go right a bit.
That's it.
- It's in. - Now put those two tubes in.
Yes. Those two. Stick them in there.
One in there.
Just plugging in?
- Come on! Before it gets to us. - What?
Before it reaches the tractor.
Let's go.
- I'll stay here a bit. - Why?
- I don't know why. I like to be here. - You want to stay here?
Alright. I'm off.
- See you later. - I'm off.
Excuse me. Do you know Where Mrs. Butsch is?
- Mrs. Butsch is in the cultural room. - Thank you.
Here is the instruction how to write one.
And your reports are far away from a positive assessment.
They would only be enough for prelimanary examinations.
- Sorry. - Jacob?
- I can come back later. - No, come on.
Marco has having a problem with writing a report.
- You'll have to do it as well. - What?
Writing reports.
Everyone has to write them.
If you think school's out as an intern or a trainee, you'll be disappointed.
Marco. Could you give him some paper, so he can have a go?
Sit down.
- Don't get worked up so easily. - It is not much, isn't it?
No. For example, when you were at areas where the carrot processing plant is growing.
You could describe the workflow at the plant in your report.
Writing a report is basically not that different from writing an essay at school.
You need to do the same on the subject of tillage.
Your performance should be focused on tillage
to show that you understand the steps involved in the tilling process.
/why do I have to write about it? I've done it already five times.
Exactly, that's why.
No one will read it, so why should I write it?
I'll read it to check if you understood everything.
And in the end you will understand it better.
But I won't read it.
And you have to write reports for being accepted for the final exam.
- Do you need help? - No.
Imagine you go into a bank, and they all say:
'That stupid farmer can't even write.'
That's how it is.
Let's say, they give you a document and you can't even understand it.
Now let's finish that sentence.
I won't do it. No. I won't do it.
Now the paper is all... Come on.
- Take a sheet of paper. - This is stupid!
Hi.
Man. You've got heavy.
I get it.
- I get it. - Thought so.
Stop.
Come here.
Hold it.
Hey.
What are you doing?
Nothing.
- Can I get in? - Of course.
Does it run?
I have no idea.
Good.
Stop it.
I'd like to drive somewhere to.
To Poland or Berlin.
- What would you do in Poland. - I don't know.
Seeing something new.
I'd rather go to Berlin.
Still, it's expensive anyway.
Everything okay?
What's wrong?
Are you messing with me?
What's the matter?
- Morning. - Morning.
Morning. Dressed a bit lightly, aren't you?
So... how is it going? Enjoying the work?
Yes. Hard work is not it?
The early starts are shovelling sand and that.
Nah, it's okay.
- Everything else okay? - Yes.
- Getting along with the other apprentices? - Yeah, really well.
Okay.
Let'smake a start then.
Jacob goes with you.
- Where is Marco? - I have no idea.
Jacob!
Jacob?
What are you doing here?
I was waiting for you. Where were you?
I had my exam today.
Where are you off to in the car?
I just wanted to drive somewhere to.
Where to?
- I don't know - Whereverever we like.
Two beers please. Thank you.
I don't drink alcohol.
What?
Why not?
What are you doing?
It looks stupid.
Don't give me that look.
- What is that? - Something of the menu.
Great!
At the freedom!
- Do you think you passed the exam? - No idea. I don't think so.
And what if you are?
Then I'm a qualified farmer.
Will you stay here?
Where could I go?
- I don't know... Berlin? - Never.
My dad ran off to Berlin.
I have not seen him since.
And do you like it?
- What? - The practicum.
It is more interesting than I was expecting.
- You're drunk. - No, I'm not. You are!
- I did not drink so much as you did.
I have not drunk a drop.
Watch it! You're about to trip up!
Come here you.
Hang on.
Let's go on a bit.
You're drunk.
Have we anything left to smoke?
How will you get home?
I don't know. I'll walk.
It was fun.
Take care.
- Jakob. - Morning - where were you?
At home.
But look at the time. You are late.
- Where were you yesterday? - I was ill.
- You have to let us know, first thing. - I know.
You have to ring us. Go to work now.
- Hang on. Have you seen Marco? - No.Why?
I did not see Marco today either. I have no idea where he is.
He passed his exam. Let him know if you see him, okay?
- Good. Bye. - Bye.