AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES PAPER 1
GRADE 12
NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE
MEMORANDUM
SEPTEMBER 2018

SECTION A
QUESTION 1
1.1
1.1.1 C √√
1.1.2 B √√
1.1.3 D √√
1.1.4 B √√
1.1.5 B √√
1.1.6 D √√
1.1.7 A √√
1.1.8 C √√
1.1.9 A √√
1.1.10 A √√
(10 x 2) (20)
1.2
1.2.1 Both A and B √√
1.2.2 B only √√
1.2.3 A only √√
1.2.4 None √√
1.2.5 B only √√
(5 x 2) (10)
1.3
1.3.1 Nitrogen-free extract √√
1.3.2 Quarantine √√
1.3.3 Chin ball marker √√
1.3.4 Pregnancy/gestation √√
1.3.5 Freemartin √√
(5 x 2) (10)
1.4
1.4.1 Ideal protein/egg protein √
1.4.2 Battery √
1.4.3 Urethra √
1.4.4 Flushing/harvesting √
1.4.5A nterior √
(5 x 1) (5)
TOTAL SECTION A: 45

SECTION B
QUESTION 2: ANIMAL NUTRITION
2.1
2.1.1 Animal with stomach compartments
Fowl/chicken/poultry/birds √ (1)
2.1.2 TWO reasons visible to justify the answer

• 2 caecum/ceaca √
• Presence of a gizzard/ventriculus /proventriculus √
• Presence of crop (Any 2 x 1) (2)

2.1.3 Identification of the letter

1. C √ (1)
2. E √ (1)
3. D √ (1)

2.1.4 TWO adaptation features of part D

• Presence of small stones √
• Thick wall muscle / very tough wall √ (2)

2.1.5 Indication of type of feed suitable for fowls
Concentrates √ (1)
2.2 Nutritional information of different feeds
2.2.1 Classification of feeds

1. Protein-rich roughage √
2. Protein-rich concentrate √
3. Carbohydrate-rich concentrate √
4. Carbohydrate-rich roughage √ (4)

2.2.2 Pearson square
Feed C 9 /maize √ meal

Feed B 38/ Soya\bean oil-cake meal 

Feedlot ration of feed C : B is 21 : 8 √ (4)
2.2.3 Calculation of percentage of feed B
21 + 8 = 29 √
 8  x 100 √
29 
= 27,59/28% √ (3)
2.3 Feed energy flow
2.3.1 Indication of the letter representing types of energy

1. C √ (1)
2. B √ (1)

2.3.2 Calculation of energy in A (digestible energy)
Gross energy – energy in faeces
18,5 MJ/kg – 7,32 MJ/kg √
= 11,18 MJ/kg √ (2)
2.4 Supplements
2.4.1

1. Tranquilisers
   They calm animals making them to eat more √ (1)
2. Antibiotics
   Prevent animals from getting diseases √ (1)
3. Somatotropin hormone
   Hormones increase the rate at which feed is converted to muscles √ (1)

2.5 Feed flow programme
2.5.1 Calculation of the total dry matter in tons
3 200 kg/ha x 40 ha = 128 000 kg √
= 128 000 kg
      1 000 √
= 128 tons √ (3)
2.5.2 Determination of the total requirement by all animals for 120 days
Total requirement by calves = 200 x 120 = 24 000 kg 1 000 √ = 24 tons √
Total required by all animals = 24 + 72 + 5,4 = 101,4 tons √ (3)
2.5.3 Suggestion of the season
Summer/rainy season √
Reason
= There is an excess of 26,6 tons (128 – 101,4 = 26,6) √ (2)
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QUESTION 3: ANIMAL PRODUCTION, PROTECTION AND CONTROL
3.1 Production levels of pigs in different conditions
3.1.1 Identification of pigs

1. Pig C √ (1)
2. Pig A √ (1)
3. Pig B √ (1)

3.1.2 Reason for 3.1.1 (c)
There is a high increase of final mass from initial mass of 40 kg to
70 kg / increase in mass by 30 kg as compared to other pigs. √ (1)
3.1.3 THREE factors that have contributed to highest improved production in pig B.

• Nutrition/feeding √
• Environment √
• Breeding/reproduction √
• Management √ (Any 3 x 1) (3)

3.2 Facilities in an intensive production system
3.2.1 Identification of the facility
C Holding pen √
D Feeding shed √ (2)
3.2.2 Indication of the purpose for using facilities A and B

1. – It is used for loading √
2. – For guiding animals towards a loading truck √ (2)

3.3 Handling guidelines
3.3.1 Indication of animal to which the handling guideline applies

1. Poultry/chicken √
2. Sheep √
3. Pig √ (3)

3.4 THREE abnormal behaviour displayed by pigs when stressed

• Belly nibbling √
• Snout rubbing √
• Cannibalism √
• Ear biting √
• Tail biting √ (Any 3 x 1) (3)

3.5 Life cycle of a parasite
3.5.1 Classification of the parasite based on the life cycle

• One-host tick√

Name

• Blue tick √ (2)

3.5.2 Reason for classification
It remains on one host during larva and nymph stages/Completes its life cycle on only one host √ (1)
3.5.3 Protozoan disease transmitted by parasite
Redwater √ (1)
3.5.4 TWO veld management practices to prevent parasite infestation

• Veld must be rested/rotational grazing/zero grazing √
• Practice good hygiene √
• Expose animals to ticks to build immunity √
• Breed resistant animals √ (Any 2 x 1) (2)

3.6 Swine fever
3.6.1 Pathogen causing swine fever and animal affected
Virus √ (1)
Animal Pig √ (1)
3.6.2 TWO reasons for classifying swine fever as epidemic

• It affects a large number of animals √
• It spreads rapidly √
• Can affect humans √ (Any 2 x 1) (2)

3.6.3 Term meaning the disease transmitted from animals to human beings
Zoonotic √ (1)
3.6.4 Identification of the state role in preventing further spread of the disease
Animals are killed and their products are destroyed √ (1)
3.6.5 Duty of owners of animals in controlling swine fever once detected
Reporting the outbreak of the disease to relevant authorities √ (1)
3.7 Sustainable use of medication
3.7.1 TWO methods to test animal health

• Taking animal’s temperature √
• Determining pulse rate √
• Determining respiratory rate √ (Any 2 x 1) (2)

3.7.2 THREE precautions to be taken before treating animals to ensure sustainable use of medication

• Ensure that medicine is safe to use for the specific animal √
• Check the expiry date √
• Administer correct dosage according to weight and age of an animal √
• Correct method of administering the medicine must be followed √
• Animal products like meat and milk must not be used before the withdrawal period of the medicine √
• Medicine must be kept away from children √ (Any 3 x 1) (3)

[35]

QUESTION 4: ANIMAL REPRODUCTION
4.1 Reproductive system of a bull
4.1.1 Identification of the letter

1. H √ (1)
2. F √ (1)
3. D √ (1)
4. G √ (1)

4.1.2 Explanation of how scrotum regulates temperature under extreme temperature conditions
When it is cold the scrotum draws the testes closer to the body √ and when it is hot it moves them away from the body. √ (2)
4.2 Graph
4.2.1 Graph on levels of progesterone and oestrogen

Criteria/rubric/marking guideline

• Correct heading √
• X-axis: Correctly labelled and calibrated (Time/days) √
• Y-axis: Correctly labelled and calibrated (Levels of progesterone and oestrogen) √
• Line graph √
• Accuracy √
• Correct units mlU/mℓ √ (6)

4.2.2 Identification of the day when cow was in oestrus
Day 12 √ (1)
4.2.3 Reason
Oestrogen is at its highest level √ (1)
4.2.4 Stage of oestrus on day 28
Di-oestrus √ (1)
Reason

• Progesterone is at its peak √
• Level of oestrogen is low √ (Any 1 x 1) (1)

4.3 Synchronisation
4.3.1 Term referring to the process
Synchronisation of oestrus √ (1)
4.3.2 TWO techniques of synchronising oestrus

• Inject prostagladin √
• Inject/ear implanting progesterone √
• MGA and PG given in a feed √
• Controlled internal drug release (CIDR) √
• Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) (Any 2 x 1) (2)

4.3.3 TWO disadvantages of synchronisation

• Labour intensive √
• It is expensive √
• High level of management is needed √
• Need good handling facilities √
• Pregnancy testing needs to be done regularly √ (Any 2 x 1) (2)

4.4 Reproductive process in cows
4.4.1 Identification of the process
Artificial insemination √ (1)
4.4.2 TWO requirements of AI that are visible

• Correct technique √
• Trained personnel √ (2)

4.4.3 TWO economic benefits of artificial insemination for the farmer

• It is a quick and economical way to improve the herd/no need to buy a bull √
• Semen of one bull can inseminate many cows √ (2)

4.5 Indication of the stage of pregnancy

1. Embryonic stage √ (1)
2. Foetal stage √ (1)
3. Ovum stages √ (1)

4.6 Graph on milk production, dry matter intake and body weight
4.6.1 Indication of the time in weeks

1. Peak milk production: Week 6/7/8/9 √(1 )
2. Drying up of a cow: Week 42 √ (1)

4.6.2 TWO reasons for the importance of colostrum

• Has antibodies to increase calf’s resistance to disease √
• Provides nutrients √
• Necessary for growth, functioning and maturation of the alimentary canal √ (Any 2 x 1) (2)

4.6.3 Explanation of a relationship between milk production, body weight and dry matter
The more the dry matter intake, the higher the milk production and the lesser the body weight. √√ (2)
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TOTAL SECTION B: 105
GRAND TOTAL: 150