NATIONAL

SENIOR CERTIFICATE

GRADE 12

27 MAY 2024

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES

MARKS: 100

TIME: 2½ hours

This question paper consists of 13 pages.

2 AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES (EC/MAY 2024)

INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION

1. This question paper consists of TWO sections, namely SECTION A and

SECTION B.

2. Answer ALL the questions in the ANSWER BOOK.

3. Start EACH question on a NEW page.

4. Number the answers correctly according to the numbering system used in this
question paper.

5. You may use a non-programmable calculator.

6. Show ALL your calculations, including units and formulae, where applicable.

7. Write neatly and legibly.

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(EC/MAY 2024) AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES 3

SECTION A

QUESTION 1

1.1 Various options are provided as possible answers to the following questions.
Choose the answer and write only the letter (A–D) next to the question numbers
(1.1.1–1.1.10) in the ANSWER BOOK, for example 1.1.11 A.

1.1.1 An animal deficient in cobalt will show symptoms of … disease.

A osteomalacia
B parakeratosis
C swayback
D wasting

1.1.2 During … nutrient molecules move against the concentration gradient.

A active transport
B osmosis
C passive transport
D diffusion

1.1.3 The following volatile fatty acids are the end product of fermentation that
is absorbed in the wall of the rumen:

A Carbonic acid, butyric acid and propionic acid

B Butyric acid, acetic acid and propionic acid
C Propionic acid, hydrochloric acid and acetic acid
D Ammonia, acetic acid and propionic acid

1.1.4 The following occurs in the abomasum:

(i) Secretion of gastric juices, hydrochloric acid and digestive

enzymes
(ii) Churning of food by muscular walls into chyme
(iii) Microbial hay fermentation results in the production of volatile
fatty acids
(iv) Pepsin and rennin are secreted in the abomasum to digest
proteins and curdle milk respectively

Choose the correct combination below:

A (i), (ii) and (iv)

B (ii), (iii) and (iv)
C (i), (ii) and (iii)
D (i), (iii) and (iv)

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4 AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES (EC/MAY 2024)

1.1.5 The instrument or equipment shown in the picture below is used by

farmers to manage animal diseases and is known as a(n) …

A injection gun.
B spraying gun.
C drenching gun.
D balling gun.

1.1.6 The possible advantages of a feedlot in animal production are listed

below:

(i) Stocking density is increased

(ii) Weaning stress on female animals is increased
(iii) Zero grazing is applied
(iv) The production output is increased

Choose the correct combination below:

A (i), (ii) and (iv)

B (i), (ii) and (iii)
C (ii), (iii) and (iv)
D (i), (iii) and (iv)

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(EC/MAY 2024) AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES 5
1.2 Indicate whether each of the following descriptions in COLUMN B applies to A
ONLY, B ONLY, BOTH A AND B or NONE of the items in COLUMN A. Write A
only, B only, both A and B or None next to the question number (1.2.1–1.2.5)
in the ANSWER BOOK, for example 1.2.6 B only.

COLUMN A COLUMN B
1.2.1 A: Urea Recommended as a supplement for protein
B: Biuret in the ration of ruminant animals
1.2.2 A: Pancreatic juice The juice in the digestive system that
B: Bile juice neutralises acidic condition
1.2.3 A: Iron Deficiency will to anaemia
B: Copper
1.2.4 A: Farrowing pen Narrow stalls used in intensive farming to
B: Gestation crates keep pregnant sows throughout the 16
weeks period
1.2.5 A: Extensive Production system focuses on maximizing
profits
B: Intensive
(5 x 2) (10)

1.3 Give ONE term/phrase for each of the following descriptions. Write only the
term/phrase next to the question number (1.3.1–1.3.5) in the ANSWER BOOK.
1.3.1 The deficiency symptom in farm animals caused by a shortage of iron
leading to paleness

1.3.2 Type of digestion that takes place in the mouth of a ruminant animal

1.3.3 Sac-like structure found on the oesophagus of a foul

1.3.4 A bloodless method to castrate young animals

(4)

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6 AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES (EC/MAY 2024)

1.4 Change the UNDERLINED WORD(S) in EACH of the following statements to

make them TRUE. Write only the answer next to the question numbers (1.4.1–
1.4.5) in the ANSWER BOOK.

1.4.1 The Punnett square is a method used to determine the ratio of two
feeds to get a required nutrient value.

1.4.2 Maintenance feeding is a protein enriched feed given to piglets to

attain a higher weaning weight.
(2 x 2) (4)

TOTAL SECTION A: 30

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(EC/MAY 2024) AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES 7

SECTION B
QUESTION 2: ANIMAL NUTRITION
Start this question on a NEW page.
2.1 The diagrams below represent the alimentary canals of farm animals.

2.1.1 Identify parts represented by letters B, C and G from DIAGRAM 1 and

DIAGRAM 2 above. (3)
2.1.2 Classify the animal with an alimentary canal such as the one in
DIAGRAM 2. (1)
2.1.3 Justify with a visible reason the answer in QUESTION 2.1.2. (1)
2.1.4 Identify the letter of the part in DIAGRAM 2 that performs the same
function as part A in DIAGRAM 1. (1)
2.1.5 Identify the letter (A–H) that represents the part where each of the
following occurs:
(a) Maximum absorption of digested nutrients (1)
(b) Main site for the absorption of volatile fatty acids (1)

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8 AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES (EC/MAY 2024)

2.2 Suggest the name of the vitamin that causes the following deficiency symptoms:

2.2.1 Rickets which causes porous bones in young animals (1)

2.2.2 Curled toe paralysis in chickens (1)

2.3 The pictures below show different animal feeds.

Identify the feed from the pictures above that can be associated with each of the
following purposes:

2.3.1 Improve fertility in rams (1)

2.3.2 Correct mineral deficiencies (1)

2.3.3 To finish off beef animals for the abattoir (1)

2.3.4 Supply bulkiness in rations for ruminants (1)

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(EC/MAY 2024) AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES 9

2.4 The feeds below are available to compile a ration for farm animals.

FEEDS COMPOSITION INDICATORS NUTRITIVE

Dry Moisture TDN DP RATIO (NR)
matter (%) (%) (%)
(%)
Maize meal 85 15 75 10 1:7
Sunflower oil-cake meal 89 11 85 17
Silage 80 20 65 7 1:8

2.4.1 Identify from the above table an example for each of the following:

(a) Concentrate (1)

(b) Roughage (1)

2.4.2 A heifer was fed 25 kg of silage from the above table and it excreted
8 kg of dry manure. Calculate the digestibility co-efficient of silage.
Show ALL calculations. (5)

2.4.3 Calculate the nutritive ratio (NR) of sunflower oil-cake meal. Show ALL
calculations. (3)

2.4.4 Categorise the NR value of sunflower oilcake meal and maize meal. (2)

2.4.5 Justify, with a reason, the suitability of sunflower oil-cake meal for the
fattening of matured animals. (2)

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10 AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES (EC/MAY 2024)

2.5 The pie chart below illustrates a fodder-flow programme for a farm in
South Africa.

2.5.1 Identify the month during which the farmer only used natural pasture to
feed farm animals. (1)

2.5.2 Justify the answer in QUESTION 2.5.1 by referring to the above pie
chart. (1)

2.5.3 The farmer revealed that the farm supplied 4,3 tons of natural pasture in
December.

(a) Determine the amount of natural pasture, in kilograms, that will be

needed in December to feed 45 sheep if each sheep consumes
2,5 kg natural pasture per day. (2)

(b) The sheep farmer experienced a surplus. Justify this statement by

calculating the surplus amount. Show ALL calculations. (3)
[35]

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(EC/MAY 2024) AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES 11

QUESTION 3: ANIMAL PRODUCTION, PROTECTION AND CONTROL

Start this question on a NEW page.

3.1 The pictures below represent two animal production systems.

3.1.1 Identify the animal production systems represented in PICTURE A and

PICTURE B above. (2)

3.1.2 Justify the answer in QUESTION 3.1.1 based on the following:

(a) Sustainable use of natural resources (2)

(b) Capital investment (2)

3.1.3 Indicate the farming system associated with each of the animal
production systems identified in QUESTION 3.1.1. (2)
3.2 The pictures below shows housing facilities for farm animals.

3.2.1 Identify FACILITY 1 and FACILITY 2 in the picture above. (2)

3.2.2 Indicate the main purpose of part A in FACILITY 1 and part B in
FACILITY 2 (2)
3.2.3 Name ONE equipment that can be found in FACILITY 1. (1)

3.2.4 Indicate TWO ways in which farm animals can lose body heat if
FACILITY 1 is not provided. (2)

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12 AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES (EC/MAY 2024)

3.3 The table below represents different animal diseases commonly found in
South Africa.

DISEASES TYPE OF ANIMAL PATHOGEN MAIN PREVENTAT

SYMPTOMS IVE
MEASURE
A Pigs Virus Vomiting and Slaughter
bleeding from the and disposal
nose and rectum of infected
animals and
their products
Anthrax Cattle, sheep B Swelling of neck C
goats, horses and
pigs and throat
resulting in
respiratory
distress, muscle
tremors with
staggers and
convulsions
Heartwater Cattle, sheep and D Thin diarrhoea Good
goats with intestinal sanitation.
mucosa and Prevention of
blood overcrowding
E Cattle, sheep, F Hair loss Isolation of
goats and pigs Red itchy thick infected
lesions animals
Crusty grey-white
scabs

3.3.1 Complete the table by providing labels for letters A–F. (6)

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(EC/MAY 2024) AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES 13

3.4 The following table indicates the number of reported rabies outbreak cases per
province in South Africa.

Province Number of Reported cases of Number of

reported cases of rabies as a reported cases of
rabies in 2017 percentage (%) in rabies in 2018
2017
Eastern Cape 12 14 6
Free State 9 10 3
Gauteng 5 6 2
KwaZulu-Natal 20 23 10
Western Cape 3 3 2
Northern Cape 6 7 3
Limpopo 17 20 8
Mpumalanga 10 12 5
North West 4 5 2

3.4.1 Draw a bar graph representing the percentages of reported rabies cases
per province in South Africa. (5)

3.4.2 Explain the trend of reported rabies cases from the table. (2)
3.4.3 Indicate the possible reason for the trend observed in QUESTION 3.4.2. (1)

3.5 Parasites live on the animal as a host and may cause harm that reduces
production.

3.5.1 Provide an example for each of the following categories of ticks:

(a) Single-host ticks

(b) Three-host ticks (2)

3.5.2 Indicate TWO application methods used to control ectoparasites

chemically. (2)

3.6 Name TWO services rendered by the state to protect animals from infection by
diseases. (2)

[35]
TOTAL: [100]

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