AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES PAPER 1
GRADE 12
SENIOR CERTIFICATE EXAMINATIONS
MEMORANDUM
MAY/JUNE 2017

SECTION A
QUESTION 1
1.1
1.1.1 C ✓✓
1.1.2 A ✓✓
1.1.3 B ✓✓
1.1.4 D ✓✓
1.1.5 D ✓✓
1.1.6 B ✓✓
1.1.7 C ✓✓
1.1.8 C ✓✓
1.1.9 A ✓✓
1.1.10 D ✓✓ (10 x 2) (20)
1.2
1.2.1 A only ✓✓
1.2.2 None ✓✓
1.2.3 B only ✓✓
1.2.4 Both A and B ✓✓
1.2.5 A only ✓✓ (5 x 2) (10)
1.3
1.3.1 Eructation/belching/burping ✓✓
1.3.2 Farrowing pen ✓✓
1.3.3 Lactation ✓✓
1.3.4 Flushing/harvesting ✓✓
1.3.5 Concentration ✓✓ (5 x 2) (10)
1.4
1.4.1 Finisher ✓
1.4.2 Optimal/optimum ✓
1.4.3 Oxytocin ✓
1.4.4 Multiple ✓
1.4.5 Implantation ✓ (5 x 1) (5)
TOTAL SECTION A: 45

SECTION B
QUESTION 2: ANIMAL NUTRITION
2.1 An alimentary canal of fowls
2.1.1 Identification of the letter of TWO parts representing accessory glands

• D ✓
• E ✓ (2)

2.1.2 Function of the parts
B - Secretion of digestive juices/enzymes/chemical digestion ✓
C - Grinding of the food/mechanical (physical) digestion ✓ (2)
2.1.3 Structural difference between the large intestines of fowls and cattle

• Fowls have caeca/two blind guts ✓
• Cattle have caecum/one blind gut ✓ (2)

2.2 Energy distribution
2.2.1 Identification
A - Metabolic energy/ME ✓(1)
B - Faeces/manure ✓(1)
C - Energy loss through heat ✓ (1)
2.2.2 DE in full
Digestible energy ✓ (1)
2.2.3 THREE important uses of net energy by farm animals

• Maintenance ✓
• Production ✓
• Growth ✓
• Reproduction ✓
• Fattening ✓
• Work ✓ (Any 3) (3)

2.3 Ration in sheep
2.3.1 Identification of the feed components
(a) - Lucerne hay ✓
(b) - Maize meal ✓
(c) - Urea ✓ (3)
2.3.2 Calculation (in percentage) of the mineral content
5% + 2% ✓
= 7 ✓% ✓ (3)
2.3.3 Reason for the inclusion of salt in licks
To regulate/control the intake of licks ✓ (1)
2.4 The composition of feeds
2.4.1 Calculation of the nutritive ratio (NR) of feed A
NR = 1: % digestible non-nitrogen components ✓
% digestible crude protein
OR
NR = 1: TDN - DP ✓
                 DP
= 1: 80% - 8% ✓ OR 1: 72% ✓
          8%                       8%
= 1:9 ✓ (3)
2.4.2 Feed recommended for fattening
Feed A✓ (1)
2.4.3 Reason
Wide NR/1:9/contains more carbohydrates than proteins ✓ (1)
2.4.4 Distinction between
Narrow NR

• NR is lower than 1:6/contains more proteins ✓(1)

Wide NR

• NR is greater or equal to 1:6/contains more carbohydrates and fats ✓ (1)

2.5 Production of lucerne over a period of one year
2.5.1 Identification of the months with the lowest lucerne production

• June ✓
• July ✓ (2)

2.5.2 Reason for the answer in QUESTION 2.5.1

• Lowest quantity/50 kg DM/ha ✓
• Winter/dry season in the summer rainfall areas ✓
• Limited rain in the summer rainfall areas ✓
• Not in the growing season ✓ (Any 1) (1)

2.5.3TWO measures to address low production

• Storage of excess feed during the growing season ✓
• Reduce livestock ✓
• Provision of supplementary feeding ✓ (Any 2) (2)

2.5.4 Calculation of the production from August to December
200 + 300 + 400 + 600 + 1 200 ✓
= 2 700 kg ✓
   1 000
= 2,7 tons ✓ (3)
[35]

QUESTION 3: ANIMAL PRODUCTION, PROTECTION AND CONTROL
3.1 Scenario on animal handling
3.1.1 THREE basic guidelines for vehicles transporting animals

• Suitable for the animals ✓
• Sufficient floor space ✓
• Sides must be strong ✓
• The back must be closed to avoid inhalation of exhaust fumes ✓
• Sides need to be high enough ✓
• Floors should not be slippery/bedding ✓
• No sharp edges to harm/injure animals ✓
• Protection against cold/hot conditions
• Well ventilated ✓
• Provide shade ✓
• Must be kept clean ✓ (Any 3) (3)

3.1.2 TWO important aspects for moving animals on a public road

• Red flag 200 m in front/behind ✓
• Move on the side of the road ✓
• Preferably in the morning ✓
• Move the animals slowly at their own pace ✓
• Always carry proper documentation/permit ✓ (Any 2)(2)

3.1.3 TWO guidelines when moving cows with calves

• Give cows time to pick up their calves before moving ✓
• Avoid chasing cows and calves with dogs ✓
• Beware of aggressive behaviour/avoid being too close ✓
• Move them slowly ✓
• Keep an obstruction between handler and the cows ✓ (Any 2)(2)

3.2 Facility used in an animal production system
3.2.1 Reason for handling farm animals in facility
A Administration of medication/observation/handling/management practices/procedure ✓(1)
B Dipping ✓ (1)
3.2.2 TWO basic design features of the handling facility A

• Must be strong ✓
• Functional for the specific animal ✓
• Able to see other animals in front of them/no dead ends ✓
• Sufficient width according to the type of animal ✓
• Make provision to immobilise/sort animals ✓
• Animals should be able to see through ✓
• No sharp edges to harm/injure animals ✓ (Any 2) (2)

3.2.3 THREE effects of incorrect handling of sheep

• Damages the skin/wool/meat ✓
• Leads to injured and stressed animals ✓
• Rams can harm a handler ✓
• Ewes may reject their lambs ✓
• Sheep will get frightened ✓ (Any 2) (2)

3.3 Graph on the visits to feed and water troughs.
3.3.1 Bar graph on the visits to the feed and water troughs at different temperatures

Criteria/rubric/marking guidelines

• Correct heading ✓
• Y-axis - correctly calibrated and labelled (Number of visits) ✓
• X-axis - correctly calibrated and labelled (Temperature) ✓
• Correct unit (°C) ✓
• Bar graph ✓
• Accuracy ✓(6)

3.3.2 Indication of the trend
The higher the temperature the more visits to the water troughs ✓ and the fewer the visits to the feed troughs ✓
OR
The lower the temperature the lesser visits to the water troughs ✓ and the more the visits to the feed troughs ✓ (2)
3.3.3 Measure to reduce the impact of varying temperatures

Related Items

• Provision of shelter ✓
• Heating/cooling/air conditioners ✓ (Any 1) (1)

3.4 The life cycle of an internal parasite in farm animals
3.4.1 Classification according to the life cycle
Two host parasite ✓ (1)
3.4.2 Identification of the two hosts needed by the parasite

• Mites ✓
• Sheep ✓(2)

3.4.3 THREE symptoms of parasite infestation

• Poor growth/production/dry rough hair/wool ✓
• Weight loss (weakness/listlessness) ✓
• Loss of appetite/anorexia/eating disorders ✓
• Pot/bloated belly ✓
• Diarrhoea ✓
• White segments in the faeces ✓
• Digestive disorders ✓ (Any 3)(3)

3.5 Management practices to control external parasites
3.5.1 Identification of the management practice

1. Biological control ✓(1)
2. Immunization ✓(1)
3. Breeding ✓ (1)

3.5.2 THREE economic implications of these parasites

• Production losses ✓
• Death of animals ✓
• Skin/hides/teats/udders/ears are damaged ✓
• Financial/cost/time/labour implications of treatment ✓
• Loss of profit ✓ (Any 3) (3)
  [35]

QUESTION 4: ANIMAL REPRODUCTION
4.1 The reproductive tract of the bull
4.1.1 Identification of parts
A Seminal vesicle/vesicular gland ✓(1)
B Prostate gland ✓ (1)
4.1.2 ONE function of part G
Secretes the seminal fluid ✓ (1)
4.1.3 The role of the hormone secreted in part E

• Responsible for the development of the secondary male characteristics ✓
• Normal mating behaviour/enhance sexual behaviour/libido ✓
• Production/transportation of spermatozoa ✓
• Maintenance of optimal conditions for spermatogenesis ✓
• Maintenance of the male duct system ✓ (Any 1)(1)

4.1.4 Reason for part F located outside the body of the bull
Regulate the temperature of the testis for spermatogenesis ✓ (1)
4.1.5 The process used to remove part E in young calves
Castration ✓ (1)
4.2 Infertility in bulls
4.2.1 A term for identified condition
Infertility/sterility ✓ (1)
4.2.2 THREE causes of infertility

• Diseases ✓
• Infections ✓
• Congenital defects ✓
• Malnutrition ✓
• Old age/senility ✓
• High environmental temperatures ✓ (Any 3)(3)

4.2.3 THREE characteristics of a good quality semen

• Mobility/live sperm cells ✓
• Concentration of sperm cells ✓
• Less than 20%/few abnormalities/defects ✓(3)

4.3 Scenario on artificial insemination
4.3.1 Method of detecting the presence of the diseases in semen

• Microscopic examination ✓
• Macroscopic/physical examination ✓ (Any 1) (1)

4.3.2 TWO requirements for successful artificial insemination

• Use only good quality/live/viable/healthy/clean semen ✓
• Correct technique ✓
• Operator with experience/expert knowledge/skill ✓
• Correct timing/cows needs to be in oestrus ✓
• Clean/sterile equipment ✓ (Any 2)(2)

4.3.3 Equipment used for artificial insemination

1. Electro-ejaculator/electrical stimulation probe ✓(1)
2. Nitrogen flask/tank ✓(1)
3. Semen straw ✓(1)

4.3.4 TWO disadvantages of artificial insemination

• Spread of diseases if semen is not tested ✓
• Inexperience/unskilled operator may cause damage to the animal ✓
• Decreased genetic variation ✓
• Some heifers are difficult to inseminate successfully ✓
• May not give the desirable results ✓
• Higher management demands ✓
• Undesirable traits/congenital defects may be transferred to more offspring ✓
• Labour intensive ✓
• Time consuming ✓
• Expensive procedure ✓ (Any 2)(2)

4.4 The reproduction process
4.4.1 Identification of parts
A Ovum/female reproductive cell/gamete/egg cell ✓(1)
B Embryo ✓ (1)
4.4.2 The structure/organ in the reproduction canal

1. Uterus ✓(1)
2. Fallopian tube/oviduct ✓(1)
3. Ovary ✓ (1)

4.4.3 Termination of pregnancy

1. Abortion/miscarriage ✓(1)
2. One cause of abortion
   
   • Malnutrition ✓
   • Injuries ✓
   • Hormonal disturbances/stress conditions ✓
   • Toxins/poisonous substances/laxatives/clovers high in oestrogen/immunization of pregnant animals ✓
   • Diseases ✓
   • Multiple births✓ (Any 1) (1)

4.5 Embryo transplant (ET)
4.5.1 Type of cow
Donor/superior cow ✓ (1)
4.5.2 Motivation
Embryos are flushed from the uterus ✓ (1)
4.5.3 The concept recipient cow
An inferior/surrogate cow that receives an embryo, mothers and gives birth ✓ to a superior calf ✓ (2)
4.5.4 TWO disadvantages of embryo transplant

• Conception rate is low ✓
• Expensive procedure/no guarantees for success ✓
• Very scientific/complex procedure ✓
• Expert knowledge/skills required/veterinarian ✓
• Time consuming/labour intensive ✓
• Diseases can be transmitted ✓
• Abortions may occur ✓ (Any 2)(2)

4.5.5 The main reason for embryo transplant
To produce more genetically superior offspring from genetically superior parents ✓ (1)
[35]

TOTAL SECTION B: 105
GRAND TOTAL: 150