Unit 10: Livestock
Lesson 17: Exploring Dairy Cows – Teacher’s Guide
Estimated Time for Completion – 90 minutes
Student Learning Objectives:
· As a result of this lesson the student will…
o Explore the commodity dairy industry
o Identify the factors that contribute to milk demand.
o Describe the relationships between factors that influence milk’s supply and demand.
Purpose: In past centuries, in almost every farm you would find at least one dairy cow. From this animal families were able to produce butter, cheese, and milk without ever having to leave home. Today, far fewer farms have dairy cows, but dairy products have managed to become much more accessible in this new age. At your school lunches, you can always find milk, and likely butter and some sort of cheese as well. The milk you see is offered in several different varieties to meet your needs and preferences. Now let’s dig a little deeper to learn about the dairy cow milk that we see every day, without ever needing to own our own dairy cows.
Directions: Go to the following website: http://www.agmrc.org. Click on Commodities and
Products, Livestock, Dairy, Fluid Milk. Use the information along with any other needed research to answer the following questions.
1. How does the U.S. rank globally in terms of cow milk production?
· First, select the “Commodities and Products” link.
· Then, select the “Livestock” link.
· Select “Dairy”
· Select “Fluid Milk”
· Look in the “Overview” section to find the desired information.
2. What has been milk consumption trend in the U.S.?
· First, select the “Commodities and Products” link.
· Then, select the “Livestock” link.
· Select “Dairy”
· Select “Fluid Milk”
· Look in the “Demand” section to find the desired information.
3. What efforts have been made to increase milk consumption in youth?
· First, select the “Commodities and Products” link.
· Then, select the “Livestock” link.
· Select “Dairy”
· Select “Fluid Milk”
· Look in the “Demand” section to find the desired information.
4. To which countries does the U.S. primarily export milk? Why do you think the export market is seemingly limited to these countries?
· First, select the “Commodities and Products” link.
· Then, select the “Livestock” link.
· Select “Dairy”
· Select “Fluid Milk”
· Look in the “Exports” section to find the desired information.
5. What competition does fluid milk have in the market? List one advantage milk has when competing for sales, and list one disadvantage milk has in the competition.
· First, select the “Commodities and Products” link.
· Then, select the “Livestock” link.
· Select “Dairy”
· Select “Fluid Milk”
· Look in the “Competition” section to find the desired information.
Reinforcement Activity: Market Relationships
The AgMRC website lists three factors which determine the balance between milk’s supply and demand. Describe how those three factors work together to provide balance. Creativity is greatly encouraged to show the relationship. You may choose to write a short essay, draw a picture, or create another form of visual aid to display how those three factors keep balance between milk’s supply and demand. Whatever you choose to use to show the relationship, be sure it is clear how each of those factors influences the others.