Education Standards
Exploring Soybean Utilization in Animal Feed
Overview
STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Students will be able to analyze the importance and applications of soybeans in animal feed production and evaluate its impact on livestock nutrition.
MEASURABLE ACHIEVEMENT GOAL: Students will create a detailed infographic that illustrates the journey of soybeans from field to animal feed, highlighting its nutritional components, processing methods, and benefits for different types of livestock. The infographic should include at least three different animals and their specific nutritional needs met by soybean-based feed.
Lesson by Allison Johnson, Falls City, NE
STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Students will be able to analyze the importance and applications of soybeans in animal feed production and evaluate its impact on livestock nutrition.
MEASURABLE ACHIEVEMENT GOAL: Students will create a detailed infographic that illustrates the journey of soybeans from field to animal feed, highlighting its nutritional components, processing methods, and benefits for different types of livestock. The infographic should include at least three different animals and their specific nutritional needs met by soybean-based feed.
1. Lesson Introduction:
- Begin the class by displaying various animal feed samples and asking students to guess which might contain soybeans.
- Pose the question: "Why do you think soybeans are so widely used in animal feed?"
- Show a brief video clip (2-3 minutes) showcasing a soybean processing plant to spark interest. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGtAmgjhOOU
2. Guided Lesson:
- Present a PowerPoint or digital slideshow outlining the key nutritional components of soybeans and their importance in animal feed.
- Demonstrate the protein content comparison between soybeans and other feed sources using a bar graph.
- Explain the process of soybean meal production, using diagrams or flowcharts.
- Discuss how different animals benefit from soybean-based feed, providing specific examples for poultry, swine, and cattle.
- Common misconception to address: "Soybean-based feed is only used for cattle." Clarify that it's used for various livestock species.
3. Independent Practice:
- Instruct students to work individually on creating their infographics.
- Provide access to computers or tablets for research and design.
- Encourage students to use reliable sources and cite them in their work.
- Remind students to include all required elements: soybean journey, nutritional components, processing methods, and benefits for at least three animals.
- Set a time limit of 30 minutes for this activity.
4. Partnered Practice:
- Divide the class into small groups and provide each with a set of animal nutrition fact sheets and soybean composition data.
- Guide students through calculating the protein contribution of soybean meal in a sample feed formulation.
- Have groups brainstorm and share how soybean characteristics might benefit different animals. o Circulate among groups to provide support and clarification as needed.
- Conduct a whole-class discussion to compare and contrast findings.
5. Closing the Lesson (5 min):
- Conduct a gallery walk where students display their infographics and peers provide constructive feedback using post-it notes.
6. Lead a brief discussion on the most interesting or surprising facts students discovered during their research.
7. Assessment: Ask students to interview a local farmer or livestock nutritionist (in person, by phone, or email) about their use of soybean-based feed and write a two-paragraph summary of their findings