Agricultural Science (Animals): Plus, a free student handout from AccessScience
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Middle and High School
In 1800, there were one billion people. Today, there are more than 8 billion, and in Ireland, it’s Dublin! The challenges of feeding and sustaining this ever-expanding population are becoming increasingly complex. Agricultural scientists continuously seek to revolutionize how we produce food and manage our natural resources.
Agricultural science focuses on various topics related to plant cultivation and raising animals for food, fiber, and other products. Students can explore the methods researchers use to improve crop yields, enhance food quality, and protect our environment. Your lesson plan can, for example, help them understand the crucial role of livestock feeding in agricultural science. To keep up with the growing demand for animal-based products such as meat, milk, and eggs, it's important to prioritize the health and nutrition of the animals that provide us with these resources. This is where scientific livestock feeding comes in, serving as a crucial link between animal husbandry, nutrition, and sustainable agriculture. Although, with all the advancements, they’ve yet to answer the age-old question, which came first, the chicken or the egg?
Other interesting topics about the science behind the fields and barns that feed our world include:
- Crop Science: The cultivation, breeding, and management of plants used for food, fiber, and fuel production.
- Soil Science: The physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil to optimize its fertility, structure, and nutrient content for crop growth.
- Horticulture: The science and art of growing fruits, vegetables, ornamental plants, and trees, focusing on crop production, landscaping, and garden design.
- Agricultural Engineering: Agricultural engineers design and develop machinery, irrigation systems, and infrastructure to enhance the efficiency of agricultural operations and reduce waste.
- Agricultural Economics: The economic aspects of farming, including market trends, pricing, and policy decisions, to ensure that agriculture remains a viable and sustainable industry.
- Pest and Disease Management: The methods used to control pests, diseases, and weeds that can damage crops and reduce yields.
- Sustainable Agriculture: Efforts to minimize the environmental impact of farming while maintaining or improving productivity. This includes organic farming, conservation tillage, and using renewable resources.
- Precision Agriculture: The use of technology, such as GPS, sensors, and data analysis, to optimize the use of resources like water, fertilizers, and pesticides and to make farming practices more precise and efficient.
From precision nutrition to sustainable farming practices, the budding scientists in your class will be inspired by cutting-edge research and practices that can help achieve a more sustainable future for agriculture and food production.
Download McGraw Hill’s AccessScience article, Agricultural Science (Animals). This meaty article probes concepts about the selection, breeding, nutrition, and management of domestic animals. The free download also includes assessment questions and answers you can use to test student understanding.
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