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. It 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.