CLASS

Year 10 Science

With the end of term fast approaching there is no better time to start some STEM activities with the Year 10s. 

Last week after viewing some background information on Newton's Cradles, students were given a range of materials and challenged to create a Newton's Cradle that had the longest momentum. 

Our winning Cradle had 17 continuous swings.

Year 12 ATAR Students 

Students checked the Feed on Offer (FOO) at the crop trial with Mr Howell before the young dairy cattle were put in this week to graze it. Once it is grazed, it will be fertilised at different rates of Flexi-N fertiliser for the Year 12 ATAR investigation task.

Mr Howell and ATAR students also Brix tested the pasture with a refractometer. A Brix test measures the sugar content in pasture/forage. Higher sugar content in forage tends to increase the efficiency in a ruminant animal (cows/sheep). Research also suggests there may be some correlation between high sugar content in grass and higher dairy milk production per kilogram of dry matter. We will continue to monitor the sugar levels closer to cutting for silage.

The FOO samples were weighed and have been put in the lab oven to dry and calculations will be done to determine kilograms of dry matter per hectare (kg/DM/Ha).

FOO results will vary depending on pasture composition, height, density and the time of the year.  Also, the soil moisture and soil type can also influence FOO. Managing FOO improves pasture utilisation by allowing for a better match of stocking numbers, reducing pasture pests and allows planning to determine timing of hay or silage being cut.