Life Cycle of Dairy Cattle
Teacher Preparation
Learning Goals
1. Upon completion of this lesson students will be able to understand and explain the life cycle of dairy cattle.
Critical Vocabulary:
- Calf
- Cow
- Newborn
- Heifer
- Yearling
- Mature
- Holstein
- Jersey
- Weaning
- Peak Lactation
- Dry Cow
2. Upon completion of this lesson students will be able to understand how producers care for dairy cattle during their lifetime
Learning Standards
- AFNR AS.01.01.01.a, AS.01.01.02.a Identify the major uses of dairy cattle in the United States.
- AFNR FPP.01.01.01.a Trace the steps milk undergoes when it leaves the dairy.
Resources & Materials
- VT Life Cycle
- Southwest - southland dairy farmers Milk. From Cows to Kids
- NC State Feeding Dairy Heifers
- EPA Lifecycle Production Phases
- US Jersey A Quality Heifer
- PSU Daiy Heifer Growth
- Visuals in the center
- Student tour guides
Lesson Delivery
Anticipatory Set
- How do living things grow and change?
- Provide students with side by side images of people and animals at various life stages
to equate to various life stages of cattle
- Ex) Infant next to adult, puppy next to dog, etc.
- Ask them to come up with multiple differences between each age group and what they
can or can’t do and what physically makes them able to do those things at different
ages.
- Ex) Babies can’t walk but children can because their legs are stronger, children can't drive but adults can because adults can get a license, puppies have accidents in the house and dogs are trained not to, etc.
- Explain that the same is true for dairy cattle; they are able to different things at different life stages because as they grow, they develop certain characteristics.
- Today we are going to learn about cattle at different life stages and learn the vocabulary words used to describe those stages.
- Provide students with side by side images of people and animals at various life stages
to equate to various life stages of cattle
Direct Instruction
1st Learning Goal: Upon completion of this lesson students will be able to understand and explain the life cycle of dairy cattle. (From VT Life Cycle and NC State Feeding Diary Heifers)
Content Outline |
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Newborn Calf
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6-month-old heifer
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Yearling
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2-year-old Cow
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Mature Cow
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Learning Activity
Students could be provided with a bingo style guided note sheet with blanks in informational sentences about dairy cows for them to fill in.
- Ex.) A _____________ is where newborn calves live for 6-8 weeks (calf hutch)
Assessment
- Instructor could ask questions throughout or at the completion of the lesson like
- “What happens when a cow turns 2?” (She has a baby and she can be milked or the first time)
- What’s one of the differences between a calf and a cow? (cows give milk, calves live in hutches, calves eat from bottles, etc.)
- How long are cows milked for at a time? (about 10 months)
- When are calves weaned from their mother? (12 to 24 hours after birth)
2nd Learning Goal: Upon completion of this lesson students will be able to understand how producers care for dairy cattle during their lifetime. (From Milk. From Cows to Kids)
Content Outline |
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Feeding
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Cow comfort
|
Assessment
Instructor should ask questions like:
- “What are some ways farmers help cows stay comfortable?” (Fans, beds, etc.)
- “What are some ways farmers make sure cows are getting the feed they need?” (Ear tags, special feeders, etc.)
- How long do cows spend eating a day? (6-7 hours)
Closing Announcements/Reminders
- Answer any questions they may have
- Show them the robot and viewing windows one more time
- Thank students for coming to the Ferguson Family Dairy