New Zealand Dairy Farming Quiz

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Date:

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Part 1: Multiple-Choice Questions

Circle the best answer. Each question is worth 1 mark.

1. Which resource is most important for dairy cows to produce milk?

Clean water, suitable feed and rest

Only grain

Salt water

Bright lights all night

2. Why is pasture important on many New Zealand dairy farms?

It provides natural feed for cows.

It stops all rain from reaching the soil.

It replaces the need for clean water.

It makes cows grow feathers.

3. What is a good reason for changing a cow’s milking routine gradually?

To reduce stress and help maintain health

To make the milk warmer

To prevent the cow from eating

To use more electricity

4. Which action helps protect milk quality?

Keeping milking equipment clean

Leaving milk in the sun

Using dirty containers

Mixing milk with soil

5. Which is an example of good animal welfare?

Providing shelter, food, water and veterinary care

Ignoring an injured animal

Keeping cows without water

Handling animals roughly

6. What should a student do before entering a farm work area?

Follow instructions and identify hazards.

Run towards moving machinery.

Touch electrical equipment.

Work alone without telling anyone.

7. Why can dairy farms have different jobs at different times of year?

Weather, pasture growth and calving change with the seasons.

Cows only need food in winter.

Milk production never changes.

Farmers do not need to plan.

8. Which farm activity can increase nutrients entering a stream?

Allowing animal effluent or fertiliser to run into the water

Planting trees beside a stream

Using a stock-proof fence

Keeping chemicals in labelled containers

9. What is one benefit of planting a vegetated strip beside a waterway?

It can filter soil and nutrients before they reach the water.

It removes all oxygen from the stream.

It makes flooding more likely.

It prevents all plants from growing.

10. What does nutrient management involve?

Applying nutrients at the right rate, time and place

Pouring fertiliser into drains

Using as much fertiliser as possible

Removing all nutrients from soil

11. Which practice supports sustainable dairy farming?

Protecting waterways and using resources carefully

Leaving rubbish in paddocks

Wasting clean water

Removing all shelter belts

12. Which statement best describes a dairy farm ecosystem?

Living and non-living parts interact and affect one another.

Only cows are part of the ecosystem.

Soil and water have no effect on living things.

Ecosystems cannot be changed by human activity.

Part 2: Short Answers and Applied Scenarios

Answer in clear sentences. Short-answer questions are worth 2 marks each. Scenario questions are worth 4 marks each.

13. Describe two needs of dairy cattle and explain why each need is important.

14. Explain one way pasture growth may affect feeding decisions on a farm.

15. Give two steps that help keep milk safe and high quality during milking.

16. Explain why cows should be handled calmly and safely.

17. Describe one possible environmental effect of dairy farming and one way to reduce it.

18. Why are freshwater and nutrient management important in a dairy farm ecosystem?

19. Applied scenario: After heavy rain, a farm worker notices muddy water and animal waste near a stream. Identify two actions the farmer should take and explain how they protect freshwater.

20. Applied scenario: In late winter, pasture growth is slow and several cows are due to calve. Suggest two management decisions that support cow health and explain your reasoning.