Farming for the Future

Year 5/6 are currently studying a science unit "Farming for the Future". As part of this study students are learning about the paddock-to-plate process and sustainable farming practices. To explore this further students attended the McKay's Dairy Farm on Blackberry Lane, Missabotti today.

The Mckay family Dave & Allison (Dad & Mum), Joe, Kacy, Billie, Rosie and Frankie (kids) and the grandchildren greeted our St Mary's students and teachers on arrival.

While students were there they learnt about the dairy structure which is a Rotary Dairy where the cows walk in, the milking cups are attached and the milk is extracted into a large milk Vat. The technology behind the automatic feeders was explained to students as they watched the cows eat as they were being milked.

Students also learnt about the different stages of the calves. They were delighted to see a new born calf take it's first steps.

At the end of the farm tour everyone had a break by drinking flavoured milk.

Ella gave a thankyou speech on behalf of the class to the Mckay family for the wonderful farm tour. 

Here's what our students had to say about their excursion to the dairy farm:

STANLEY  "I liked everything about it! We got to see a new born calf. It was still really little & couldn't stand up properly"

ELLA  "There was so much I liked about the excursion. I liked seeing the 1hr old calf, seeing all the other claves, the soon to be mum cows, the flavoured milk and question time. I had a favourite calf that would only come up to me for a pet"

LILY  "the calf sucked my finger and bit me. I liked eating the Kumquat fruit off the tree. They were very sour"

KADEN  " I liked the rotary dairy. I thought it was really good how when there was no more milk left in the cow the milking cups fell off and the cow could walk out. I also liked the 5 dogs and the strawberry milk at the end"

CIARA  "The cute calves were my favourite. I liked the mixed breed calves of jersey & angus. We got to feed the cows pellets and saw a 1hr old calf"

SHYLIQUA  "The baby calves and eating Kumquat's was my favourite part"

LLEYTON  "I liked meeting the cows, calves and newborn calf"