AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES
PAPER 1
GRADE 12 
AMENDED SCE PAST PAPERS AND MEMOS
MAY/JUNE 2018 

MEMORANDUM 

SECTION A
QUESTION 1:
1.1
1.1.1 B ✔✔
1.1.2 B✔✔
1.1.3 C ✔✔
1.1.4 C ✔✔
1.1.5 A ✔✔
1.1.6 C ✔✔
1.1.7 D ✔✔
1.1.8 D ✔✔
1.1.9 A ✔✔
1.1.10 B ✔✔ (10 x 2) (20)
1.2
1.2.1 Both A and B ✔✔
1.2.2 None ✔✔
1.2.3 B only ✔✔
1.2.4 B only ✔✔
1.2.5 A only ✔✔ (5 x 2) (10)
1.3
1.3.1 Fodder/feed flow✔✔
1.3.2 Mastitis ✔✔
1.3.3 Cryptorchidism ✔✔
1.3.4 Mesoderm ✔✔
1.3.5 Corpus luteum ✔✔ (5 x 2) (10)
1.4
1.4.1 Ether/crude fat ✔
1.4.2 Foot and mouth disease/FMD ✔
1.4.3 Endometrium ✔
1.4.4 Dystocia ✔
1.4.5 Placenta/allanto-chorion/umbilical cord ✔ (5 x 1) (5)

TOTAL SECTION A: 45

SECTION B 
QUESTION 2: ANIMAL NUTRITION 
2.1 The alimentary canal of a farm animal 
2.1.1 Identification of parts 

• A Ventriculus/gizzard/muscular stomach ✔ (1)
• D Cloaca/vent ✔ (1)
• F Crop ✔ (1) 

2.1.2 Importance of part 

• B Stores/releases bile ✔(1)
• E Releases digestive juices/enzymes for digestion ✔ (1) 

2.1.3 Definition of chemical digestion 

• Process where complex food particles are broken down to  simpler substances ✔ 
• through the series of chemicals/enzymes/juices ✔ (2)

2.2 Processes involved in the movement of food through the digestive tract 
2.2.1 Identification of the processes labelled 

• C Absorption ✔ (1)
• D Assimilation ✔ (1)
• E Excretion/egestion/defaecation ✔ (1) 

2.2.2 Indication of the letter of process (1) 

1. C ✔ (1)
2. B ✔ 

2.2.3 The enzyme responsible for the digestion of food in A 

• Salivary amylase/ptyalin ✔ (1)

2.3 Mixture of TWO feeds (Pearson Square) 
2.3.1 Indication of the parts  

1. Maize meal: 31 parts ✔ (1)
2. Soya beans: 2 parts ✔ (1) 

2.3.2 Justification of the answers 

1. Lesser DP/DP of 11%/more of it is needed to give the   required protein/carbohydrate rich ✔ (1)
2. Higher DP/DP of 44%/less of it is needed to give the required   protein/protein rich ✔ (1) 

2.3.3 Calculation of the quantity of maize meal (in kg) in a 285kg mix

• 31 x 285 ✔ = 267,72/268kg ✔
  33
  OR
• 31 x 100 ✔ = 93,94 x 285 = 267,72/268kg ✔ (2)
  33                   100

2.4 Fodder flow 
2.4.1 Calculation of the total feed supply (in ton) during the year

• 450 000 kg + 216 000 kg ✔
  = 666 000 kg ÷ 1000 ✔
  = 666 tons ✔ (3) 

2.4.2 TWO problems of the feed flow programme 

• Deficit/shortage/too little feed during the dry months ✔ 
• Calving period coincide with the dry period ✔ 
• Supplementary feeding is too costly/R756 000 ✔ (Any 2) (2) 

2.4.3 ONE precautionary measure a farmer needs to take 

• Make provision for the dry months from the excess feed  during the rainy season/storage/making hay ✔ 
• Reduce the numbers of animals/culling/selling ✔  
• Change calving to the rainy season ✔ (Any 1) (1) 

2.5 Mineral/vitamin responsible for deficiency symptoms 
2.5.1 Zinc/Zn ✔ (1)
2.5.2 Phosphorus/P ✔ (1)
2.5.3 Vitamin K ✔ (1)
2.5.4 Vitamin A/retinol ✔ (1)
2.6 Feed components of a ration 
2.6.1 Indication of the type of the animal 

• Ruminant/cattle/sheep/goat ✔ (1) 

2.6.2 TWO reasons to support the answer 

• Can consume feed high in crude fibre/roughage(Lucerne and oats hay) ✔ 
• Molasses is utilised to activate the rumen  micro-organisms ✔ 
• Can utilize NPN/urea ✔ (Any 2) (2) 

2.6.3 Identification of the concentrate in the ration 

• Maize meal ✔ (1) 

2.6.4 TWO reasons of including molasses in this ration 

• Improves the palatability/digestibility of roughages ✔ 
• Molasses is utilised to activate the rumen  micro-organisms/provide energy ✔ 
• Binds the ration together/reduce dust/wastage of a ration ✔   (Any 2) (2) 

[35]

3.1 Production levels of a poultry farm on certain months of the year
3.1.1 Bar graph on egg and broiler production from February to July 

Criteria/rubric/marking guidelines  

• Correct heading ✔ 
• X-axis: Correctly calibrated with label (Months of the year) ✔ 
• Y-axis: Correctly calibrated with label (Production levels) ✔ 
• Correct unit (‘000) ✔ 
• Bar graph ✔  
• Accuracy ✔ (6) 

3.1.2 The trend in broiler production from February to August 

• Production from February increases/more/better until ✔ 
• June/July/August when production stabilised/constant ✔ (2) 

3.2 Production systems 
3.2.1 Identification of production systems 

• A Extensive production system ✔ (1)
• B Intensive production/feedlotting system ✔ (1) 

3.2.2 Comparison of the two systems on the basis of 

1. Capital investment 
   System A: Less capital investment ✔ (1) 
   System B: More capital investment ✔ (1)
2. Area of land in relation to production output 
   System A: More land occupied but relatively less  production ✔ (1) 
   System B: Less land but very high production ✔ (1)

3.3 Naming of the structures  
3.3.1 Battery cages/deep litter house ✔ (1)
3.3.2 Farrowing pen ✔ (1)
3.3.3 Holding pen ✔ (1)
3.4 Various stages of the life cycle of a parasite 
3.4.1 Identification of the type of parasite  

• External/ecto-parasite ✔ (1) 

3.4.2 Classification of the type of parasite according to the life cycle

• Three-host parasite ✔ (1) 

3.4.3 Letters representing the stages in the life cycle of the parasite (1) 

1. B ✔ (1) 
2. D ✔ (1)
3. E ✔ (1) 

3.4.4 TWO detrimental effects this parasite has on livestock 

• Damage the skin/teats/genitals ✔ 
• Lowering the resistance/decreased immunity of the host ✔ 
• Anaemia as a result of blood sucked from the host ✔ 
• Transmission of diseases ✔ 
• Death ✔  
• General deterioration/reduced production/reproduction/ weight loss/retarded growth ✔ 
• Irritation ✔  
• Paralysis ✔ (Any 2) (2)

3.5. Diseases in animals  

A Virus ✔ (1) 
B Anthrax ✔ (1) 
C Cattle/sheep/goat ✔ (1) 
D Heartwater ✔ (1) 
E Fungus/fungal ✔  (1) 

3.6 Salt poisoning in livestock 
3.6.1 Identification of the poisoning  

• Salt poisoning ✔ (1) 

3.6.2 TWO preventative measures  

• Enough/sufficient salt/not too much/avoid salt contaminated water ✔ 
• Supply enough/clean/fresh drinking water ✔ (2)

3.6.3 ONE symptom of salt poisoning in farm animals 

• Excessive salivation ✔ 
• Staggering/dragging the hind legs/wobbling/circling/blindness/ seizures/partially paralysed ✔ 
• Red/dry mucus membranes of the mouth ✔ 
• Increased urination/defecation ✔ 
• Increases thirst ✔ 
• Vomiting ✔ 
• Constipation ✔  
• Hypersensitivity to touch ✔ 
• Aggressiveness ✔ 
• Abdominal pain/diarrhoea ✔ 
• Inflammation of the stomach and small intestine ✔ (Any 1) (1) 

3.6.4 TWO possible measures to treat salt poisoning 

• Remove the source/salt ✔ 
• Provide smaller quantities of clean/fresh drinking water at  shorter intervals ✔ 
• Treat animals with isotonic saline solution/ hypertonic dextrose ✔ (Any 2) (2) 

[35] 

QUESTION 4: ANIMAL REPRODUCTION 
4.1 Reproductive system of a cow 
4.1.1 A ✔ (1)
4.1.2 B ✔ (1) 
4.1.3 D ✔ (1) 
4.2 Hormones  
4.2.1 Naming parts 

• A Mature Graafian follicle ✔ (1)
• C Ovum/egg/female reproductive cell/gamete ✔ (1) 

4.2.2 Indication of hormone 

1. Follicle stimulating hormone/FSH✔ (1)
2. Progesterone ✔ (1) 

4.2.3 The function of infundibulum  

• It captures(picks up) the ova/channel ova into the fallopian tube ✔ (1)

4.3 Embryo transplantation 
4.3.1 Identification of the process 

• Embryo transplantation/transfer/ET ✔ (1)

4.3.2 TWO advantages of ET to farmers  

• Fast/cost effective way to increase genetic improvement ✔ 
• Extend the reproductive life of older/unproductive cows ✔ 
• Offspring from superior animals are multiplied/higher calving  percentage ✔ 
• Genetic material in the herd is conserved ✔ 
• Genetic material can be transported internationally ✔ 
• Can improve the medical properties of products ✔ 
• Produce animals with improved resistance towards diseases ✔ 
• Prevent the extinction of valuable and endangered animals ✔ 
• Profits from increased sales of quality genes/products ✔  
• A planned breeding programme can be implemented ✔ (Any 2) (2)

4.3.3 The term referring to the cow that is  

1. Donor cow ✔ (1)
2. Recipient/surrogate cow ✔ (1) 

4.4 Artificial Insemination (AI) 
4.4.1 TWO characteristics of good quality semen  

• Viability/mobility/motility/80% mobility/less than 15% dead sperm  cells ✔ 
• Colour/opaque/milky white ✔ 
• Volume ✔ 
• Odour ✔ 
• pH between 6,4 - 6,9/slightly acidic pH ✔ 
• Percentage of sperm cells with defects/morphology/less than  20% deformation/fewer deformities ✔ 
• Concentration ✔ 
• No blood in semen ✔ (Any 2) (2)

4.4.2 Functions of the dilutants of semen 

1. Provides energy for sperm cells ✔ (1)
2. Protects sperm cells against temperature changes/damage   from freezing ✔ (1)
3. Protects sperm cells against bacterial growth/infections ✔ (1)

4.4.3 TWO disadvantages of AI 

• Labour intensive procedure ✔ 
• Time consuming ✔ 
• Incompetent operator can harm/damage cows ✔ 
• Diseases can spread quickly/easily ✔ 
• Genetic abnormalities can spread quickly/easily ✔ 
• Heat detection is difficult under extensive farming conditions ✔ 
• Expensive in terms of storage/testing ✔ 
• Not always successful/improper handling can decrease  conception rate ✔ 
• Inbreeding may occur ✔ 
• Genetic variability is reduced ✔ 
• High levels of management is needed ✔  
• Expert knowledge is required ✔ (Any 2) (2) 

4.4.4 TWO congenital defects in bulls 

• Cryptorchidism ✔ 
• Hermaphroditism ✔ 
• Hypoplasia ✔  
• Sperm defects ✔ (Any 2) (2)

4.5 The membrane layers around the embryo  
4.5.1 Identification of the membranes  

A Allantois ✔ (1) 
D Chorion ✔ (1) 

4.5.2 TWO functions of the fluid in B 

• Protects the embryo against shock/injuries ✔ 
• Protects the embryo against temperature changes ✔ 
• Protection from the attachment to other tissues ✔ 
• Prevent dehydration/desiccation ✔ 
• Lubrication of the birth canal ✔ (Any 2) (2) 

4.5.3 The role of membrane D 

• Connects the foetus to the uterine wall/attachment/forms placenta ✔ (1) 

4.5.4 The last stage of pregnancy 

• Foetal stage ✔ (1)

4.6 The milk production of a dairy cow 
4.6.1 Identification of the process illustrated above 

• Lactation ✔ (1)

4.6.2 Indication of the time (in weeks) when the following occurred 

1. Week 44 ✔   (1)
2. Week 0 ✔   (1)
3. Week 4 ✔   (1)

4.6.3 THREE factors influencing the quantity of milk produced during  the peak production 

• Nutrition ✔ 
• Climatic/environmental conditions/housing/shelter ✔ 
• Individuality ✔ 
• Breed ✔ 
• Age of the cow ✔ 
• Number of times a cow is milked during the day ✔ 
• Health status ✔ (Any 3) (3) [35] 

TOTAL SECTION B: 105 
GRAND TOTAL: 150