*If possible have Circle of Cunning cast on your rake.
*Farm your entire crop first before harvesting to ensure the highest farming skill at time of harvest.
*It's best to farm at least two times before harvesting to ensure the most yield.
*The act of farming can be compaired to treating a medium wound. (Any time the field requires the act of farming, weeds are keeping the field from producing more harvestable items.)
*Planted crops are by far the best source of food for farm animals. Just be certain you have enough from your harvests to replant as cattle will eat them until there is nothing but dirt if there are more than one animal per tile. (The act of farming the field will increase crop production therefore sustaining cattle more effectively. Which will reduce the chances of cattle turning the tile to dirt.)