NATIONAL

SENIOR CERTIFICATE

GRADE 12

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES

MARCH 2024

MARKING GUIDELINES

MARKS: 100

This marking guideline consists of 8 pages.

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Agricultural Sciences 2 Common Test March 2024
NSC – Marking Guidelines

SECTION A

QUESTION 1

1.1 1.1.1 C üü
1.1.2 C üü
1.1.3 B üü
1.1.4 A üü
1.1.5 A üü (5 x 2) (10)

1.2 1.2.1 Both A and B üü

1.2.2 None üü
1.2.3 A only üü
1.2.4 B only üü
1.2.5 A only üü (5 x 2) (10)

1.3 1.3.1 Supplement üü

1.3.2 Conduction üü
1.3.3 Castration üü
1.3.4 Impotence üü
1.3.5 Parturition/birth üü (5x1) (5)

TOTAL SECTION A: 25

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SECTION B

QUESTION 2: ANIMAL NUTRITION

2.1 Digestive system of the farm animal

2.1.1 Identification of a farm animal

 Ruminant ü (1)

2.1.2 Naming parts labelled E and F

 E – Oesophagus/gulletü
 F – Duodenum/small intestine ü (2)

2.1.3 Naming TWO micro-organisms found in part A

 Bacteria ü
 Protozoa ü (2)

2.1.4 Indication of the part that represents the true stomach

 Cü (1)

2.2 Absorption in the small intestine

2.2.1 Naming the organ

 Villusü (1)

2.2.2 Identification of parts

 A – Blood capillaries ü
 B – Lacteals ü (2)

2.2.3 Indication of the letter where fats are absorbed

 Bü (1)

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2.3 Digestibility co-efficiency

2.3.1 Calculation: 25 kg x 15 = 3,75kg

100
25 kg – 3,75 kg = 21,25 kg ü
DC = Dry material intake (kg) – Dry mass of manure (kg) x 100 ü
Dry material intake (kg) 1

= 21,25 kg – 8 kg x 100 ü
21,25 kg 1

= 62,35ü % ü (5)

2.3.2 Explanation of the digestibility coefficient in Question 2.3.1

 62,35% of the feed was digestedüand absorbed by the
animal ü (2)

2.4 Minerals and vitamin supplementing methods

2.4.1  Mineral ü (1)

2.4.2  Mineral ü (1)

2.4.3  Vitamin ü (1)

2.5 Fodder flow programme

2.5.1 Defining the term fodder flow

 A strategic plan that ensures enough fodderü to meet the
requirements of all farm animals throughout the yearü (2)

2.5.2 Naming the month where there was no shortage

(1)
 December ü

2.5.3  Feed required is 84 t üand feed available is 85 t ü

OR
The total feed was moreü than what was requiredü by animals (2)

[25]

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QUESTION 3: ANIMAL PRODUCTION

3.1 Farming systems

3.1.1 Identification of farming systems A and B

 A – Subsistence farming system ü
 B – Commercial farming system ü (2)

3.1.2 Comparing farming systems A and B

Farming system A Farming system B

a) Purpose To feed the family or To sell and make profit ü

household ü
b) Environmental Less environmental High environmental
pollution pollution ü pollution ü (4)

3.2
3.2.1 A bar graph (6)

A bar graph that shows the growth rate of pigs according to

the temperature differences
140

120
Growth rate (%)

100

80

60

40

20

0
5 10 15 25 35
5 10 15 25 35
Temperature (OC)

Bar graph showing growth rate of pigs according to the temperature differences
Criteria/marking guidelines
 Correct heading ü
 Y-axis – correctly calibrated and labelled (Growth rate) ü
 X-axis – correctly calibrated and labelling (Temperature) ü
 Correct unit (% and 0C) ü
 Accuracy/correct plotting at 80% ü
 Bar graph ü
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3.3 Importance of shelter in animal production

3.3.1 Identification of THREE Consequences of lack of shelter
 Lower/slower growth/production ü
 Exposure to predators ü
 Exposure to pests ü
 Stock theft ü
 Higher feed intake when it is cold ü
 lower feed intake when it is hot ü
 Exposure to unfavourable weather conditions ü (Any 3) (3)

3.3.2 Reason why animals use up more energy

 Metabolism is higher which increases heat production. ü (1)

3.4
3.4.1 Identification of equipment in Diagram B
 B - Nose holder/pliersü (1)

3.4.2 Stating the purpose of animal handling equipment in diagram A

 Handle to make it lie down ü
 Bring the animal down ü (Any 1) (1)

3.4.3 Naming the part of the head used to grip animal in diagram B
 Nostril ü
 Ear ü (Any 1) (1)

3.4.4 Naming the handheld electric rod

 Prodder ü (1)

3.5 Heat loses in farm animals

3.5.1 Identification of THREE ways in which heat is lost

 A –Respirationü
 B – Radiation/perspiration ü
 C – Excretion/defecation ü
(3)
3.5.2 TWO signs of heat stress
 Excessive salivation/Drooling ü
 Rapid respiration/panting/heavy breathing/sweating ü
 Loss of appetite ü
(2)
 Restlessness ü (Any 2)
[25]

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Agricultural Sciences 7 KZN/March Test 2024
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QUESTION4: ANIMALREPRODUCTION

4.1 A female reproductive system

4.1.1 Identification of parts labelled A, D and E

 A – Ovary 
 D – Cervix 
 E – vagina  (3)

4.1.2 Function of the part labelled B

 To capture to ripe follicle/egg cell/ovum after ovulation  (1)

4.1.3 Indication of the letter representing the site of fertilisation

(1)
 C

4.2 Sperm cell

4.2.1 Identification of part B and C

 B – Head 
 C – Midpiece  (2)

4.2.2 Function of part A

 Facilitates the penetration of the egg cell or ovum by the
sperm  (1)

4.2.3 Definition of spermatogenesis

 Formation of sperm cell/male gamete in the walls of
seminiferous tubules within the testes  (2)

4.3 Oestrus cycle

4.3.1 Stages of oetrus

 a) Di-oestrus 
 b) Oestrus 
 c) Pro-oestrus 
 d) Met oestrus  (4)

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4.3.2 Naming ONE sign of oestrus

 The cow makes bellowing noise and hollows her back 
 Sudden decrease in milk production 
 The cow mounts other cows 
 The cow isolate itself
 The cow secretes the mucous from the vulva 
 The vulva becomes reddish and swollen  (Any 1)
(1)

4.4 Artificial insemination

4.4.1 Definition of AI
A technique whereby semen is artificially collected from bulls  and
artificially placed into the reproductive tract of a cow  (2)

4.4.2 Stating THREE main requirements of AI

 Correct timing 
 Correct technique 
 Use of viable semen 
 Prioritise hygiene 
 Observe signs of heat  (Any 3) (3)

4.5 Embryo transfer

4.5.1 Re-arrangement of statements

 E
 C
 B
 A
 D (5)
[25]
TOTAL SECTION B: [75]

GRAND TOTAL: [100]

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Agricultural Sciences 9 KZN/March Test 2024
NSC – Memorandum

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