Survival of the Fittest: Comparing the Needs of Humans and Cows
Students identify what cows and humans need to survive by exploring the physical characteristics of cows and the food, water, shelter, and other environmental needs of cows compared to their own needs. Students also examine how farmers work to meet the needs of their cows.
Background
Lesson Activities
Recommended Companion Resources
Credits
Author
Rashel Clark | Dairy West
Sources
- https://www.nature.com/articles/5201297
- https://www.agweb.com/article/licensed-us-dairy-farms-dropped-88-last-year#:~:text=The%20United%20States%20Department%20of,down%20from%2037%2C468%2C%20or%208.8%25
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/194968/top-10-us-states-by-milk-production/
- https://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/guidelines/chapter-1/a-closer-look-inside-healthy-eating-patterns/
- https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/how-cows-eat-grass
- Estimation of human-edible and inedible materials computed from the average Midwestern lactating cow ration. Thoma et al
- https://library.ndsu.edu/ir/bitstream/handle/10365/9250/AS1180_1999.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
- https://extension.umn.edu/dairy-youngstock/healthy-calves
- https://extension.psu.edu/prevention-and-control-of-foot-problems-in-dairy-cows
- https://extension.umn.edu/dairy-news/managing-dairy-cattle-cold-weather
- https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/drinking_water_for_dairy_cattle_part_1#:~:text=These%20may%20be%20good%20guesses,more)%20pounds%20of%20water%20daily.
Standards
National Content Area Standards
- Science
- K-ESS3: Earth and Human Activity
- K-ESS3-1: Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants or animals (including humans) and the places they live.
- K-ESS3: Earth and Human Activity