R.P. the Farm Dog

written by
Lucy Kehret
illustrated by
Chloe Safley

My name is R.P.
That’s what Farmer Fred calls me.
It’s short for R.P.M.
or revolutions per minute.
r.p. the farm dog
by lucy kehret
It’s a unique name,
and I’m a unique dog!
of kehret home school
edited by dylan jacobson
illustrated by chloe safley
this book was the 2023 elementary division winner
of the A Bushel Of Stories Writing Contest.
this program is produced by the Iowa Agriculture
Literacy Foundation in collaboration with community
sponsors and partners.
special congratulations to the second place
elementary division A Bushel Of Stories winners,
eliza hoy and artemis maddox – I Don’t Live On A Farm,
and third place winner, madelyn kehret - Skidder.
Special thanks to the following sponsors and supporters for making this
program possible: Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa Pork Producers Association,
Iowa Soybean Association, Silos and Smokestacks Foundation, Iowa Corn Growers
Association, GROWMARK, Corteva Agriscience, Iowa Turkey Federation, Iowa Beef
Industry Council, and the National Agriculture in the Classroom (NAITC)
https://www.iowaagliteracy.org 1

Farmer Fred is a busy man. That’s why
he needs a devoted dog, like me. Fred
has lots of chores to do each day
and that’s where my job comes in.
I have endless energy. I’m super fast,
which is how I got my name. I make
several circles or revolutions,
each minute.
Although I am very energetic,
I am also focused and patient.
These traits are important while doing
my job on the farm.
2
3

Today, Farmer Fred needs to clean
out the cattle yard. When he opens
up the gate to drive the tractor
and manure spreader through,
Fred needs me to stand guard
so no cows escape.
It’s easy enough. I’m a
herding dog.
This will be a
piece of cake...
4
5

6
7

Oh no!
3 cows have gotten out!
8
...I guess I got
a little distracted... 9

That was close!
You know, cows are interesting animals...
These are Angus cows. They’re one of the
most popular breeds in the United States.
They’re calm and good natured,
which makes my job easier.
10 11

Farmer Fred raises
cattle from birth. This is a
cow calf operation.
A baby cow is called a calf.
They drink milk from their mother
until they are weaned.
When they get big enough, Farmer Fred
feeds them corn and silage, or
alfafa hay bales.
I’m not sure why they
seem to like these foods.
I prefer bones, meat,
and scraps, or even
my dog food.
12 13

Cows have about 25,000 taste buds compared
to 10,000 in humans, and about 1,700 taste
buds in dogs! Maybe that’s why we like different stuff.
14 15

Another funny thing about cows is that they
have four compartments in their stomachs!
The first compartment is called the rumen.
The rumen is where food is broken down.
I think it’s funny how cows look like they’re
chewing gum. But they’re not! That’s their cud.
Chewing cud helps cows digest their food.
The second compartment is the reticulum.
The reticulum is where cud is produced.
The third compartment is called the omasum.
The omasum absorbs water from their food.
The fourth compartment is the abomasum.
The abomasum digests food just like your stomach
and mine.
16 17

When cattle grow to
about 1,400 pounds,
they are fully grown.
Then, Farmer Fred
sells them.
One way dogs and cows are similar is that we
both get attached to Farmer Fred. Cows depend
on Fred every day to feed them. I’ve seen them
lick him to show affection, just like dogs!
18 19

Cows are used for beef. That’s where
hamburgers and steaks come from! Beef is so
healthy, I consider it a superfood.
Beef is rich in protein,
which helps build muscles. Beef also
contains essential nutrients like
zinc, vitamin B6 and B12, selenium, iron,
niacin, phosphorus, choline, and riboflavin.
It’s great for growing children!
20
Most people think beef cattle are only
used for meat, but they are also
used for leather, gelatin, cosmetics, and
medicine. Cows are important animals,
which makes my job important too.
21

I’m officially
off duty!
Time
to relax
AND
PLAY!
22

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