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Hilltop

In this SATIS Revisited resource students use real data to determine the cause of illness in cattle on a farm. They analyse the animals' diets to find that the illness is caused by mineral deficiency.

This unit has three activities focusing on different farming methods and the relationship between diet and illness.

The first activity uses real data on organic sheep production in the uplands of England, collected from a three-year research project. It is suitable for students to undertake after work on the differences and similarities between organic and conventional farming. Students compare and analyse real data collected from conventional and organic sheep farms. This activity can be carried out in one of two ways, depending on the time available and the ability of your students.

The other two activities would be suitable after work on balanced diets, or analysis of solutions for ions such as copper and iron. The symptoms shown by the cattle on West Hill, Oak Bank, Lane Ends and Southfield farms are caused by a deficiency of copper. Students look at real data (from analyses of liver tissue and of stream water) to determine the cause of illness in cattle on some farms in the Hilltop area.

In the third activity, students discuss suggestions made by farmers to prevent trace element deficiency in cattle and produce a report suggesting how the farmers might improve the health of their sick cattle.

Contents of this unit:

Unit overview
Presentation
Guidance for teachers

Organic or conventional farming – what’s the difference?

*Data sheet A1 – Sheep farm data
*Data sheet A2 – Sheep farm data
*Data sheet A3 – Sheep farm data
*Data sheet A4 – Sheep farm data
*Data sheet A5 – Sheep farm data
*Data sheet B – Sheep farm data (simplified version)
*Activity sheet A – Sheep farm data analysis
*Activity sheet B – Sheep farm data analysis (simplified version)

Hilltop cattle

*Activity Sheet A – Trace elements questions
*Activity Sheet B – Trace elements questions (simplified version)
*Map – The farms and streams of Hilltop
*Information sheet – Trace elements

Keeping cattle healthy

*Activity sheet – Solving the problem
*Map – The farms and streams of Hilltop
*Information sheet – Trace elements

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Information on the permitted use of this resource is covered by the Category Three Content section in STEM Learning’s Terms and conditions.
Subject(s)Biology, Chemistry, Science
Age14-16
Published2000 - 2009
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Direct URLhttps://www.stem.org.uk/rxtry

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