Numeracy and Mathematics on the Dairy Farm

What’s it all about? | First & Second Level

The hands-on, interdisciplinary approach can enhance learners’ mathematical skills and build understanding of data literacy and the practical applications of maths in everyday life.

How to get your class involved

If you would like to get your class involved here’s what you need to do:

1. Download the learning pack

Download the Moo Maths learning pack relevant to the learners you are teaching:

We also have a dairy glossary to support this learning. 

2. Find out about STEM and how the data is collected

First Level

  • STEM on the farm including our new Down on the Diary Farm story
  • Join Pam and collie dog Jura at Noriston Farm which has robotic milking

Second level

  • Explore STEM on the dairy farm with our learning booklet.
  • Visit Plean Farm to find out about the range of data collected from dairy cows

3. Look at some of the data from dairy herds

We have some facts and data sets for you to use in class:

Key facts

  • The average dairy cow eats 25-50kg a day and drinks around 60 litres of water
  • A cow rests and ruminates when it lies down
  • Dairy cows lie down for approximately 14 hours per day
  • Dairy cows ruminate for 7 – 11 hours a day

Data sets

Second level

Spreadsheets

  • Average number of litres of milk a single cow produces per year
  • Milk to feed price ratio

Graphs

  • Variation in % milk fat from different dairy cow breeds
  • Lactation curve
  • Grass growth rate curve

Connect to a farm

After you have an understanding of data on a dairy farm, it is time to connect to a farm. 

Meet dairy cow 991! We will provide monthly data updates and discussion questions linked to this cow that you can make use of in class.

You can also bring your class to a dairy farm – please add connect to a dairy farm on your visit request form.

Visit a farm

Check out previous years of similar projects

The Journey | Seeds & Grains

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Year of Beef 2021/2022

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Festival of Farming

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