AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES
GRADE 12
NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE
MEMORANDUM
JUNE 2018

SECTION A
QUESTION 1
1.1
1.1.1 C ✓✓
1.1.2 D ✓✓
1.1.3 A ✓✓
1.1.4 B ✓✓
1.1.5 A ✓✓
1.1.6 D ✓✓
1.1.7 B ✓✓
1.1.8 A ✓✓
1.1.9 B ✓✓
1.10 C✓✓ (10 x 2)
(20)
1.2
1.2.1 Both A and B ✓✓
1.2.2 B only ✓✓
1.2.3 None ✓✓
1.2.4 A only ✓✓
1.2.5 B only ✓✓ (5 x 2)
(10)
1.3
1.3.1 Coefficient of digestibility/Digestibility coefficient ✓✓
1.3.2 Bont tick ✓✓
1.3.3 Ejaculation ✓✓
1.3.4 Hydrocephalus v
1.3.5 Lactation/Milk Production ✓✓ (5 x 2)
(10)
1.4
1.4.1 Amylolytic ✓
1.4.2 Balancing point ✓
1.4.3 Hyaluronidase ✓
1.4.4 Weaning✓
1.4.5 Colostrum/Beestings ✓(5 x 1)
(5)
TOTAL SECTION A: 45

SECTION B
QUESTION 2: ANIMAL NUTRITION
2.1
2.1.1 D: Cloaca ✓
J: Omasum ✓ (2 x 1) (2
2.1.2 Indication of letters

1. H ✓ (1)
2. A ✓ (1)
3. E ✓ (1)

2.1.3 How part L is protected against stomach acids

• Pancreas releases sodium bicarbonate, ✓ which neutralises the stomach acid ✓
• Gall bladder secretes bile ✓ which neutralises the pH of the gastric juices ✓
• Bruner’s glands produce alkaline secretion, ✓ rich in mucus which protects the duodenum from acidic chime. ✓
• The duodenum also regulates the rate of emptying of the stomach ✓ via hormonal pathways. ✓ (Any 1 x 2)
  (2)

2.1.4 Adaptability of small intestines for absorption

• It is very long so it makes the surface area for absorption bigger ✓
• The inside has many folds that increase surface area for absorption ✓
• The folds are covered with thousands of villi which increase surface area for absorption ✓
• Each villus is covered with micro-villi which further increase surface area ✓
• Each villus has blood and lymph capillaries for transport and the absorption of nutrients ✓
• Thin layer of epithelial cells lining the villi is adapted for absorption ✓
• Epithelial cells contain various carrier molecules to absorb specific chemicals and nutrients ✓ (Any 2 x 1)
  (2)

2.1.5 Salivary glands found below or behind the ear
Parotid salivary gland ✓ (1)
2.2 Deficiency diseases
2.2.1 Anaemia/Heart disease/Epileptic seizures/Dermatitis ✓ (1)
2.2.2 Parakeratosis/Keratinisation ✓ (1)
2.3 Digestibility Co-efficient of feeds
2.3.1 Calculations of digestibility coefficient
DM manure = 4 kg x 40 = 1,6 kg therefore, 4 kg – 1,6 kg = 2,4 kg ✓
                                100
DC = DM intake (kg) – DM manure (kg)x 100 ✓
                      DM intake (kg) 
= 15 kg – 2,4 kgx 100 ✓
          15 kg 
= 84% ✓ (4)
2.3.2 ONE factor influencing digestibility of hay

• Crop from which hay was produced ✓
• Age of the plant/Growth stage ✓
• Method used to make hay ✓
• Preparation of feed ✓
• Supplementation/Feed additive ✓
• Composition of feeds/Composition of ration✓
• Quantity of feed taken in ✓
• Palatability of the ration ✓
• Water quantity in the feed ✓
• Nutritive ratio ✓ (1)

2.3.3 Improving digestibility of grain feeds

• Grinding/Crushing/Milling ✓
• Pelleting ✓
• Boiling/Cooking ✓
• Roasting ✓/Crushing ✓
• Soaking ✓
• Dry rolling/Cracking ✓
• Popping/Micronising ✓
• Supplementation ✓ (Any 1 x 1) (1)

2.4 Energy flow diagram

1. – Energy loss through manure/faeces ✓
2. – Metabolic Energy/ME ✓
3. – Maintenance ✓ (3 x 1) (3)

2.5 Feed components required by animals
2.5.1 Age of animal mostly fed maintenance ration
5 years / 4 years ✓ (1)
2.5.2 Reason
The graph shows that older non-producing animals are fed more carbohydrates for maintenance ✓ / Fed less protein. ✓ (Any 1 x 1) (1)
2.5.3 Reason for a high protein requirement in young animals

• Growth and production ✓
• Repairing of body tissues✓
• Provision of antibodies for immunity against diseases✓
• Functioning of rumen microbes ✓ (Any 1 x 1) (1)

2.6 The Pearson square or box method of balancing rations
2.6.1 Indication of part representing protein-rich concentrate
7 parts ✓ (1)
2.6.2 Has smaller portion in the ratio/7 parts of feed B to get the required 16% DP ✓ (1)
2.6.3 Percentage of Feed A
= 22 x 100 ✓
   29 
= 75,9% OR 76% ✓ (2)
2.6.4 Feed B amount in the mixture
= 7 x 850 kg ✓
  29 
= 205,2
   1 000 ✓
= 0,21 tons ✓
OR
= 24,1% of 850 kg = 850 kg x 24,1
                                               100 ✓
= 204,9 kg
   1 000 ✓
= 0,21 tons ✓ (3)
2.7 Fodder-flow planning
2.7.1 The month during which the available feed will be most insufficient for the animals
September ✓ (1)
2.7.2 Calculation for surplus feed for February
Surplus feed = Feed available – Feed required
= 160 tons – 140 tons ✓
= 20 tons x 1 000 ✓
= 20 000 kg ✓ (3)
[35]

QUESTION 3: ANIMAL PRODUCTION, PROTECTION AND CONTROL
3.1 Animal body temperature
3.1.1 Deduction of environmental condition
Higher temperatures/Very hot/Hot/Warm/Heat stress ✓(Any 1 x 1) (1)
3.1.2 TWO reasons for the deduction
Less feed intake than normal. ✓ More than twice the normal water intake / increased water intake ✓ (2)
3.1.3 TWO measures to reduce heat stress of dairy cows under intensive conditions

• Sprayers/Fogger with water/Soakers/Misters ✓
• Insulation ✓
• Cooling the bedding ✓
• Fans/conditioners/ventilators ✓
• Shelter/housing/Shade/Housing orientation ✓
• Cooling pond ✓(Any 2 x 1) (2)

3.1.4 Definition of homoeothermic

• Animals with a constant body temperature that is slightly higher than their environment ✓
• Animals that are able to keep their body temperature at the same level despite any changes in the temperature around it ✓
• Thermoregulation in animals that maintains a stable internal body temperature regardless of external influence. ✓ (Any 1 x 1) (1)

3.2 Calculation of FCR
3.2.1 FCR = 4,6 kg
                     1,3 kg ✓
= 3,54 ✓ (2)
3.3 Animal production systems (2)
3.3.1 PICTURE A: Intensive production system ✓
PICTURE B: Extensive production system ✓ (2)
3.3.2 Justification of PICTURE A

• Many animals kept in a small area/small enclosure/Total confinement ✓
• Zero grazing/Animals are fed with forage cut from pastures ✓
• Expensive/Iron enclosures around the animals ✓
• Large investment on the farm ✓

Justification of PICTURE B

• Few animals in a large grazing area ✓
• Animals depend on natural grazing ✓
• Less investment compared to picture A ✓ (Any 1 x 1) (2)

3.3.3 Relate subsistence and commercial farming systems

• Subsistence farming: Extensive production system ✓ (2)
• Commercial farming: Intensive production system ✓

3.4 Identification of farming operations devices:
3.4.1 Identification of devices

1. – Balling gun ✓
2. – Ear tag pliers/Ear tag applicator ✓ (1)

3.4.2 Uses of the devices
Device 1

• Used for the oral administration of capsules and boluses to animals/Used for administering a bolus to an animal ✓ (1)

Device 2

• To apply ear tags/For identification using ear tags ✓ (2)

3.5 Foot and Mouth disease in South Africa
3.5.1 Pathogen causing FMD
Virus ✓ (1)
3.5.2 Impact of FMD outbreak on the South African economy

• Banning of exports ✓
• International trade decreases ✓
• Impact on food security ✓
• Decreased production/Loss of income/Less demand/Value of meat decreases/Loss of animals through death ✓
• Loss of jobs✓
• More expenses for prevention and treatment ✓ (Any 1 x 1) (1)

3.5.3 Explanation of a notifiable disease

• A notifiable disease is any disease that is required by law to be reported ✓ to government authorities. ✓

OR

• A disease that must be reported ✓ to public health authorities, ✓ at the time it is diagnosed because it is potentially dangerous to human or animal health. (2)

3.5.4 Identification of the diseases

1. A: New Castle ✓ (1)
2. B: Coccidiosis ✓ (1)

3.5.5 Prevention of the disease in A
Vaccination / Inoculation ✓ (1)
3.6
3.6.1

1. – Chronic ✓
2. – Acute / Per Acute ✓
3. – Per Acute / Acute ✓ (3 x 1) (3)

3.7 The life cycle of an internal parasite
3.7.1 Classification of the parasite
Internal parasite / Endoparasites ✓ (1)
3.7.2 Main groups of internal parasites
Tapeworm / Cestodes ✓ Liver flukes / Trematodes ✓ (2)
3.7.3 Name of the disease
Anaemia ✓ (1)
3.8 Plant poisoning
3.8.1 Identification of poisonous plant
Thorn apple/Datura stramonium ✓(1)
3.8.2 TWO measures to prevent plant poisoning

• Remove animals from the infested camp ✓
• Remove poisonous plants from the pasture ✓
• Avoid overstocking/overgrazing the camps ✓
• Practice rotational grazing ✓
• Provide feed to animals being transported ✓
• Prevent veldt fires ✓
• Provide enough water for livestock ✓ (Any 2 x 1) (2)

[35]

QUESTION 4: ANIMAL REPRODUCTION
4.1 The reproductive system of a bull
4.1.1 Identification of parts

• 2: Urethra ✓
• 4: Vas deferens / Ductus deferens ✓ (2)

4.1.2 THREE functions of the epididymis

• Stores the spermatozoa ✓
• Allows the spermatozoa to mature ✓
• Concentrates the spermatozoa in the fluid ✓
• Transports the spermatozoa from the testis to vas deferens ✓
• Secretes the buffer that protects sperm from female sex organs’ acidic secretions ✓ (Any 3 x 1) (3)

4.1.3 The name of the hormone secreted in part 1
Testosterone ✓ (1)
4.1.4 The name of the biological process that takes place in part labelled 1
Gametogenesis ✓ (1)
4.1.5 Identification of A and C

• A: Mitochondria ✓
• C: Tail ✓ (2)

4.1.6 Functions of A and C
Functions of A

• Provide energy for movement of the cell ✓

Functions of C

• Motility/Movement of the sperm cell/Swimming in the semen ✓ (2)

4.2 Reproductive process of farm animals
4.2.1 Name of process
Oogenesis/Ovigenesis ✓ (1)
4.2.2 Types of cell division

• A: Mitosis ✓
• B: Meiosis/First meiotic ✓ (2)

4.2.3 Site of the process
Ovaries ✓
4.3 The reproductive process in male and female animals
4.3.1 Name of the process
Mating ✓ (1)
4.3.2 Labelling of A, B and C

• A – Courtship ✓
• B – Copulation ✓
• C – Ejaculation ✓ (3)

4.4 Graph
4.4.1 A bar graph

Criteria for marking

• Correct heading/title ✓
• Correct type of graph (Bar graph) ✓
• Correct labelling of x-axis and y-axis ✓
• Correct units on y-axis (%) and x-axis (hours) ✓
• Correct plotting of bars on the graph ✓

4.4.2 Identification of the time of the day
12h00–18h00 ✓
4.5 Pictures of equipment used in the animal reproduction industry:
4.5.1 Identification of the equipment

• C ✓
• B ✓
• A ✓

4.5.2 TWO basic requirements for semen collection

• All equipment must be sterilised before use ✓
• The semen should not be exposed to sunlight ✓
• The floor area must not be slippery ✓

4.6 Multiple births
4.6.1 Naming of multiple births

• A – Non-identical/Dizygous ✓
• B – Identical/Monozygous ✓
• C – Freemartin ✓ (3)

4.6.2 Identification of the part labelled 1
Ovum/Egg cell/Female reproductive organ/Female gamete ✓(1)
4.6.3 Naming of the process indicated by 2
Fertilisation ✓(1)
[35]

TOTAL SECTION B: 105
GRAND TOTAL: 150