Weston Agricultural College

Agricultural Sciences

Grade 9

Examiner: Mkhize ZZ Moderator: Mrs C Boast

Name:

SEPTEMNER EXAMINATION
Marks: 50
Duration: 1 Hour

INSTRUCTIONS

1. This question paper consists of FOUR questions.

2. Answer all the questions on the ANSWER SHEET provided.
3. Number the answers correctly according to the numbering system used in this question
paper.
4. Read each question carefully before answering.
5. Pay attention to the mark allocations.

All The Best

MEMORANDUM

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 Question One

Various possible options are provided as answers to the following questions. Choose the correct
answer and write only the letter (A - D) next to the question number (1.1-1.5) in the answer book.

1.1 To alleviate poverty in households in rural areas, a headman may practise the following farming
system:

A. Commercial farming

B. Subsistence farming

C. Extensive farming

D. Intensive farming

1.2 One of the animals listed below is not a game animal:

A. Lion
B. Elephant
C. Rhino
D. Sheep

1.3 The crop that provides South Africa with staple food is ...

A. Rice

B. Maize

C. Wheat

D. Sorghum.

1.4 The cow’s stomach is large and has four chambers. Which term below is not part of the FOUR
chambers?

A. Rumen

B. Omasum

C. Ruminant

D. Reticulum

1.5 Which ONE of the following provinces in South Africa is well-known for having the highest
population in Goat farming?

A. KwaZulu-Natal

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 B. Eastern Cape

C. Gauteng

D. Western Cape

(5x2) (10)

Question Two

2.1 Look at the following common beef breeds (A) and mention the name of each breed and the
country in which the breed originated:

A B

C D

A. Afrikaaner – SA
B. Brahman – USA
C. Sussex – England/Britain
D. Beefmaster - USA

(8)

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2.2 Look at the following common dairy breeds (A and B): mention the name of each breed and the
country in which the breed originated:

A B

A. Ayrshire – Scotland
B. Jersey – British Channel Island of Jersey/ Jersey Island

(4)

Question 3

3.1 Sheep shearing is a skill performed by shearers, and it is a recognised sport in South Africa and
around the world. It is worth bearing in mind that it is a profession, too.

Mention the five (5) steps followed during sheep shearing:

Typical mass shearing of sheep today follows a well-defined workflow:

 Remove the wool
 Throw the fleece onto the wool table
 Skirt, roll and class the fleece
 Place it on the appropriate wool bin
 Press and store the wool until it is transported

(5x2) (10)

3.2 State whether the following statement is True or False:

3.2.1 Goat milk is higher in protein and minerals than cow’s milk.

3.2.2 Folic acid supplements may be necessary in goat milk as goats’ milk may be deficient in this
acid.

3.3.3 In South Africa, there are 10 goat breeds.

3.3.4 The British Alpine is a meat breed.

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3.3.5 The Saanen is a milk breed.

3.2.1 True

3.2.2. True

3.2.3. False

3.3.4. False

3.3.5. True

(5)

Question Four

Define the following terms:

4.1. Rotational Grazing (2)

4.2. Ruminants (2)

4.3. Sweetveld (2)

4.4. Concentrated feeds (2)

4.1. A system where a large pasture is divided into smaller paddocks allows livestock to be moved
easily from one paddock to the other.

4.2. Animals that chew the cud regurgitated from its rumen.

4.3. African veld that is not markedly acid in soil reaction and is characterised by production in the
presence of adequate moisture of palatable grazing of predominantly annual grasses.

4.4. Animal feeds that are rich in energy and/or protein but low in fibre, such as corn, soybean meal,
oats, wheat, molasses, etc.

(8)

Question five

Write a structured, paragraph essay of 250 – 300 words on how one cares for pet pigs in the home.

Management of pet pigs

Housing

Indoors – need to be housetrained, as they can be destructive, causing much damage, and they are
susceptible to environmental temperatures and prone to hypothermia and hyperthermia. Pigs do

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not have sweat glands and need a wallowing pond to cool down. Separate, clean drinking water
must be provided (tend to urinate in wallow!)

Diet

Feed them with food sufficient in fibre to avoid constipation. Grazing, horse ration, fruits,
vegetables, Lucerne, hay and kitchen scraps can be fed, but avoid fatty foods such as dairy products,
ice cream, cakes etc. NEVER feed them with dog pellets – high protein with low fibre may cause
gastric ulcers and constipation.

Breeding:

 Puberty about 6 – 7 months

 Heat every 21 days, lasts three days

 Litter size 4 – 12

 Should be sterilised at 2 – 4 months (spay or anti-GnRH vaccine)

 Boars develop a strong smell after maturity.

Training:

 Can be trained to use a litter box, walk on a leash attached to a harness

 Use only positive reinforcement; may become aggressive if punished

 Teach young pigs to be picked up at an early stage

General Care:

 Soft brush for daily grooming; hooves must be trimmed

 Tusks can be trimmed in piglets and removed at four months

 Ears should be cleaned with alcohol and cotton balls if they become filthy

 Deworm twice a year

(10)

TOTAL MARKS: 50

The End!

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