AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES PAPER 1
GRADE 12
NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE EXAMINATIONS
MAY/JUNE 2021

SECTION A

QUESTION 1

1.1

1.1.1   B✓✓ 
1.1.2   C✓✓
1.1.3   A✓✓
1.1.4   D✓✓
1.1.5   D✓✓
1.1.6   B✓✓
1.1.7   B✓✓
1.1.8   C✓✓
1.1.9   C✓✓
1.1.10 A ✓✓
(10 x 2)
(20)

1.2

1.2.1  B only ✓✓
1.2.2  A only ✓✓
1.2.3  Both A and B ✓✓
1.2.4  None ✓✓
1.2.5  B only ✓✓ |
(5 x 2) (10)

1.3

1.3.1  Concentrate ✓✓
1.3.2  Crush/crush pen/race ✓✓
1.3.3  Milk let down/milk ejection ✓✓
1.3.4  Sperm cell/spermatozoon/male gamete/male sex cell ✓✓
1.3.5  Embryo transfer/transplant/ET ✓✓
(5 x 2)
(10)

1.4

1.4.1  Thyroid regulators ✓
1.4.2  Disinfecting/sanitising ✓
1.4.3  Embryonic ✓
1.4.4  Synchronisation of oestrus ✓
1.4.5  Testis ✓
(5 x 1)
(5)

TOTAL SECTION A: 45

SECTION B:

QUESTION 2: ANIMAL NUTRITION

2.1 Alimentary canal of a farm animal

2.1.1 Name farm animal

Pig ✓ (1)

2.1.2 Motivation

The animal has a simple/single/monogastric stomach ✓ (1)

2.1.3 Justification of the digestion in the mouth of a pig

Physical - Food is broken down by the teeth into smaller particles ✓ (1)
Chemical - Salivary amylase in the mouth breaks down starch in food into maltose ✓ (1)

2.1.4 Identification of the part by indicating the letter

1. B ✓ (1)
2. D ✓ (1)
3. A ✓ (1)

2.1.5 Indication of the part in ruminant animals corresponding to part D in terms of functioning

Abomasum ✓ (1)

2.2 Components of feed

2.2.1 TWO roles of water/moisture in digestion

• Acts as a solvent for dissolving substances in the body ✓
• Softens/moistens food ✓
• Facilitating enzymatic digestion ✓
• Medium through which waste products are excreted ✓
• Transports nutrients through the digestive tract ✓ (Any 2)
  (2)

2.2.2 Identification of the component

1. Zinc ✓ (1)
2. Vitamin K ✓ (1)
3. Phosphorus ✓ (1)

2.2.3 Indication of the component that is

1. Fat soluble - Vitamin K ✓ (1)
2. Water soluble - Vitamin B1 ✓ (1)

2.3 Digestibility of feed

2.3.1 Calculation of the digestibility coefficient of feed in animal B

DC = Dry material intake (kg) – Dry mass of manure (kg) x 100 ✓
                             Dry material intake (kg)
= 12 kg – 7 kg  x  100 ✓
           12 kg            1
= 41,6/42 ✓ % ✓
(4)

2.3.2 TWO animal related factors having an influenced on the digestibility of the feed given to ANIMAL A and ANIMAL B

• Individuality ✓
• Age of animal ✓
• Production ✓
  (Any 2) (2)

2.3.3 TWO methods to increase digestibility of feed in ANIMAL B

• Grinding/milling ✓
• Pelleting ✓
• Boiling ✓
• Crushing ✓
• Soaking ✓
• Popping and micronizing ✓
• Dry rolling and cracking ✓
• Roasting ✓
• Mixing with molasses ✓
• Cutting hay at an early stage ✓
  (Any 2) (2)

2.4 Nutritive ratio

2.4.1 Calculation of the Nutritive Ratio

Nutritive ratio = 1 : %TDN – %DP ✓ OR NR = 1 : %DNNS ✓
                                           %DP                         %DP
= 1 : 50% – 5% ✓ = 1 : 45% ✓
               5%                    5%
= 1 : 9 ✓ = 1 : 9 ✓
(3)

2.4.2 The suitability of the feed

Suitable for fattening/not suitable for growth/production ✓ (1)

2.4.3 Reason

• Less protein ✓
• NR is wide/more carbohydrates than protein ✓
  (Any 1)
  (1)

2.4.4 Classification of the feed

• Roughage ✓
  (1)

2.4.5 ONE advantage of feeding the lamb with the feed

• To stimulate the development of the rumen ✓
• Adds volume required for ruminant digestion ✓
  (Any 1) (1)

2.5 Fodder flow programme

2.5.1 Calculation of the total feed required by animals in month 6 (tons)

Total feed required = 9,5 kg x 50 x 30 = 14 250 kg ✓
= 14 250 kg ✓
     1 000
= 14,25 tons ✓
(3)

2.5.2 Deduction of the problem of fodder flow programme

Shortage/deficit of feed during month 5/6 ✓
(1)

2.5.3 Reason

Supply is 12 tons in month 5 and 4 tons in month 6 while the requirement is 13,5 and 14,25 tons respectively/feed available is less than feed required ✓
(1)
[35]

QUESTION 3: ANIMAL PRODUCTION, PROTECTION AND CONTROL

3.1 Production system in cattle

3.1.1 Production system

Extensive ✓
(1)

3.1.2 TWO reasons to justify the answer in Question 3.1.1

• Kept on a natural veld ✓
• Unit area is vast per animal/large space fewer animals ✓
• Lack of shelter/protection ✓
• Animals fend for themselves ✓
  (2)

3.1.3 Comparison between the TWO production systems

1. Production output per unit area
   • Intensive: High ✓ (1)
   • Extensive: Low ✓ (1)
2. Disease transmission
   • Intensive: High ✓ (1)
   • Extensive: Less ✓(1)

3.2 Equipment and techniques in the handling of farm animals

3.2.1 Association of tools A - E with the techniques (a) – (e)

1. C ✓ (1)
2. D ✓ (1)
3. A ✓ (1)
4. E ✓ (1)
5. B ✓ (1)

3.2.2 TWO other reasons for handling animals

• Transportation ✓
• General examination ✓
• Pregnancy diagnosis ✓
• Weighing ✓
• Control external parasites/dipping/foot bathing ✓
• Age determination ✓
• Dehorning ✓
• Hoof trimming ✓
• Artificial insemination ✓
• Production purposes ✓
• Slaughtering ✓
• Selection ✓
• Weaning ✓
• Feeding ✓
• Docking ✓
• Evaluation and classification ✓
• Generation of data ✓ (Any 2)
  (2)

3.3 Farm animal behaviour

3.3.1 Identification of the behaviour by farm animals

Fright/frightened/animals scared/aggression/pushing ✓ (1)

3.3.2 Cause of the behaviour by animals

1. Poor depth perception ✓ (1)
2. Heat stress ✓ (1)
3. Flocking habit ✓ (1)

3.4 Parasites in livestock

3.4.1 Classification of the type of parasite

Ecto/external parasites ✓ (1)

3.4.2 Month with the highest infestation

September ✓ (1)

3.4.3 Deduction on the rate of infestation by the blowfly on both ewes and lambs during

1. May - Ewes are more infested than lambs/ (1)
             4 000 ewes and 1 000 lambs ✓
2. August - Ewes are less infested than lambs/ (1)
                6 000 ewes and 8 000 lambs ✓

3.4.4 financial implication to the farmer

• Loss of production/stock ✓
• Loss of profit/income/high costs of treatment ✓
  (Any 1)
  (1)

3.4.5 ONE preventative measure to reduce blowfly strike

• Shear whilst still cool for the blowfly not to survive/correct time of shearing ✓
• Docking of the tails ✓
• Treat diarrhoea ✓
• Avoid/treat open wounds ✓
• Separate rams to avoid fighting ✓
• Crouching of wet soiled areas ✓
• Controlling of flies ✓
• Breeding resistant animals ✓
  (Any 1)
  (1)

3.5 Animal diseases

3.5.1 Identification of the pathogen A and B

1. - Bacteria ✓ (1)
2. - Protozoon ✓ (1)

3.5.2 Transmission mode of the virus in D

Infected saliva through biting ✓ (1)

3.5.3 Vector for the viral disease in E

Mosquitoes ✓ (1)

3.5.4 Advice to the farmer to control the spread of the disease in E

• Destroy the vector at the breeding place/spraying/
• Destroy infected animals ✓
• Vaccination ✓
• Isolation ✓
• Awareness campaigns ✓ (Any 1)
  (1)

3.5.5 TWO control measures by the state

• Culling/killing of infected animals ✓
• Eradication programs set into place ✓
• Quarantining/isolation ✓
• Import and export bans ✓ (Any 2) (2)

3.6 Animal poisoning

3.6.1 Type of poisoning

• Salt poisoning ✓ (1)

3.6.2 Identification of the source of poisoning

• Sodium chloride/NaCl ✓ (1)

3.6.3 ONE treatment measure if animals get the form of poisoning

• Removal of the source of salts ✓
• Provision of fresh clean water in smaller quantities ✓
• Supplying water through a stomach tube for severe cases ✓
• Treating animals with hypertonic dextrose/isotonic/ saline solution ✓
  (Any 1) (1)

3.6.4 Preventative measure of this form of poisoning

• Supply clean fresh water ✓
• Do not deprive animals of salt for too long/ avoid craving for salt ✓
• Supply acceptable quantities of salt/ no free access to abundant supply of salt ✓
  (Any 1) (1)
  [35]

QUESTION 4: ANIMAL REPRODUCTION

4.1 Reproductive systems of animals

4.1.1 Identification of the diagram

• Diagram A ✓ (1)

4.1.2 ONE reason visible from the DIAGRAM A

• Presence of an ovary ✓
• Presence of uterus ✓
• Presence of Cervix ✓
• Presence of vagina ✓
• Presence of fallopian tube ✓
  (Any 1) (1)

4.1.3 Naming of the parts

• C - Cervix ✓ (1)
• G - Cowper’s/bulbo-urethral glands ✓ (1)

4.1.4 Function of part B and F

B - Where the zygote is implanted and develops ✓ (1)

F -

• Fluid provides nutrients to the sperm cells ✓
• Protect semen against pH changes ✓
• Helps to keep semen fertile and healthy ✓
• Improves mobility of the spermatozoa ✓
  (Any 1) (1)

4.1.5 Identification of part where gametes are formed in diagram B

• E ✓ (1)

4.2 Mating

4.2.1Stages of mating in their chronological order

• A bull shows interest in cow ✓
• Bull stands on his rear leg, rests on the rear end of the cow ✓
• A bull gains intromission into the vagina ✓
• Semen is released into the vagina ✓
  (4)

4.2.2 Indication of the stage not listed

• Dismounting ✓ (1)

4.2.3 Hormone regulating mating behaviour in bulls

• Testosterone ✓ (1)

4.3 Levels of hormones in a pregnant cow

4.3.1 Identification of the letter representing hormones

1. B ✓(1)
2. A ✓(1)

4.3.2 Indication of oestrus stage

1. Between day 2 and 6 - Pro-oestrus ✓ (1)
2.  At day 14 - Oestrus ✓ (1)

4.3.3 Reason to justify that the cow is pregnant

Oestrogen level dropped ✓ progesterone level is increasing and maintained ✓ (2)

4.3.4 Stage in the reproductive cycle after 282 days after insemination

Parturition/calving ✓ (1)

4.4 Milk yield in lactating cows
4.4.1 Bar graph on milk yield in lactating cows

Criteria/rubric/marking guidelines

• Correct heading ✓
• X-axis: Correctly calibrated with label (Time) ✓
• Y-axis: Correctly calibrated with label (Milk yield) ✓
• Correct units (litres and weeks) ✓
• Combined bar graph ✓
• Accuracy ✓
  (6)

4.4.2 Comparison of the milk yield in both groups over the weeks

• Group 1 - Milk yield increased and then it decreased ✓ (1)
• Group 2 - Milk yield increased and then it stabilised ✓ (1)

4.5 Artificial Insemination

4.5.1 Indication of the function of the equipment

Picture A - Depositing semen into the reproductive tracts of a cow ✓
Picture B - Storage of semen ✓ (2)

4.5.2 Indication of where the equipment is placed during AI

Cervix/uterus ✓ (1)

4.5.3 TWO basic requirements for storage of seme

• Semen be stored at 5 °C for shorter periods ✓
• Semen stored for longer periods must be frozen in liquid nitrogen at –196 °C ✓
• Semen must be stored in polyvinyl straws ✓
• End of straws be sealed to prevent entering of liquid nitrogen ✓
• Straws be labelled for identification ✓
  (Any 2) (2)

4.5.4 TWO challenges of using the equipment

• Expensive ✓
• Needs expert knowledge on how to handle ✓
• Correct handling and maintenance ✓
  (Any 2) (2)
  [35]

TOTAL SECTION B: 105
GRAND TOTAL: 150