All About Kentucky Beef
Looking for some fun ways to celebrate our Kentucky cattle farmers and beef? We have several ways for you to learn about this vital industry:
READ
For Cattle Producers, Kentucky is Cow Country (Article with Questions)
WATCH
PLAY
Cash Cow - Cash Cow takes students on a journey of caring for a herd of beef cattle in hopes they will maximize their profits at the end of the game. Ideal for Grades 3+.
CREATE
That Comes from a Cow?
Did you know that we get the gelatin used in gummy candies and marshmallows from the bones, skin, hooves and horns of livestock? You can remind students where many of our resources come from by making this cute marshmallow cow. The instructions also include a number of other items that require the many resources that come from cows. Students could also make a poster from the information.
Marshmallow Cow Instructions & That Comes From a Cow?
How Do You Know a Cow is a Cow?
OPTION 1: Have the students describe a cow (female bovine) in their own words or by using similes. This could be a writing exercise. Draw, if you like, what they are describing in the front of the room.
OPTION 2: Provide the following description of a cow. Have the students draw their interpretation and see if anyone can guess that their animal is a cow along the way.
This animal has a body like a wide barrel, lying on its side.
This animal has 4 legs, each like a baseball bat.
This animal has a neck like a tree stump.
This animal has a head like a plastic cup, bottom side out.
This animal has ears like footballs.
This animal has a tail like a snake with a beard.
Some have horns, some do not.
Some give milk, when you pull on their four spouts.
COOK
For Sloppy Joe Day - The Pioneer Woman or use the kid-friendly recipe below:
MORE LEARNING
Needs, Habitats, & Traits
Cattle spend most of their lives outdoors, and they have characteristics that help them thrive in their environment. Depending on the weather and the terrain, a farmer may choose a specific breed of cattle that will do better than others. Characteristics may include length of hair, tolerance to heat and insects, ability to protect their babies, etc.
View the Lesson and Activity Sheets
On-The-Farm STEM
Experience STEM and health concepts brought to life by American beef cattle ranchers, researchers, nutritionists and veterinarians. The On the Farm program features free lessons, activities, online learning tools and enriching professional development events.