L1: Down on the farm - Introduction
This is an introduction to dairy farming. It provides specific farm terminology and items that are found on most New Zealand dairy farms.
Students use text/annotations, cut-outs and a farm plan to construct a farm collage. They use the collage to follow cows as they journey to and from the dairy shed. The teacher notes provide background and additional information on herringbone and rotary dairy shed.
Extension
If iPad’s are available students can do a stop motion video using the free Stop Motion Studio software. If possible, use a stool that has a hole in the base of the seat and place the iPad on top, with the camera pointing downwards. This keeps the camera stationary and at the same height and same perspective. It also allows students to move the pieces underneath the stool and tell their story.
Stop motions could show the process of milk harvesting, with the cows coming in and out of the dairy shed and the tanker picking up the milk. They could also show break fencing feed, with long grass in the fenced off area with cows and then short grass as it has been eaten and the cows in a new break (area of the paddock). Remember cows need access to the water trough in every break so placement of the temporary fences (breaks) is important.
