CAPRICORN SOUTH DISTRICT

NATIONAL
SENIOR CERTIFICATE

GRADE 12

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES
PRACTICAL INVESTIGATION
MARKING GUIDELINES
23 FEBRUARY 2023

TOTAL: 50 MARKS

This paper consists of 6 pages.

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Agricultural Sciences Practical Investigation NSC Capricorn South District 23 February 2023

QUESTION 1
1. Digestibility of feed
1.1. Feed A – carbohydrate rich roughage
Feed B – protein-rich concentrate
Feed C – carbohydrate-rich concentrate (3)
1.2. Feed B  (1)
1.3. Feed B has high protein content with low fibre and high carbohydrate (2)
1.4. Digestibility coefficient of feed
Feed B (Farm Animal 2)
12,3kg x 9,2% = 1,3kg (moisture)
= 11,17kg (DMI)

4,6kg x 3,5% = 0,16kg (moisture)

= 4,44kg (DME)
𝐷𝑀𝐼 (𝑘𝑔)−𝐷𝑀𝐸 (𝑘𝑔)
DC = × 100 
𝑀𝐷𝐼 (𝑘𝑔)
11,17 (𝑘𝑔) − 4,44 (𝑘𝑔)
DC = × 100
11,17 (𝑘𝑔)
6,73 (𝑘𝑔)
DC = × 100 
11,17 (𝑘𝑔)

DC = 60,3% 

Feed C (Farm Animal 3)

14,4kg x 11,7% = 1,68kg (moisture)
= 12,72kg (DMI)
6,3kg x 3,1% = 0,2kg (moisture)
= 6,1kg (DME)
𝐷𝑀𝐼 (𝑘𝑔)−𝐷𝑀𝐸 (𝑘𝑔)
DC = × 100 
𝑀𝐷𝐼 (𝑘𝑔)
12,72 (𝑘𝑔) − 6,1 (𝑘𝑔)
DC = × 100
12,72 (𝑘𝑔)
6,62 (𝑘𝑔)
DC = × 100 
12,72 (𝑘𝑔)

DC = 52, 04% OR 52% (6)

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Agricultural Sciences Practical Investigation NSC Capricorn South District 23 February 2023

1.5. A reason why Feed A could not be recommended for chicken.

Roughage with high fibre content and contains 23g/100g fibre (2)
1.6. Feed consumed by 25 Farm Animal 2 in 90 days (in tons).
1 x 12,3/day x 25 x 90
= 27 675kg/1000
= 27, 675t or 27, 7t or 28t (4)
1.7. A combined bar graph

A combined bar graph to show the components (vitamin, protein,

fibre, carbohydrate) of Feed A, Feed B and Feed C
80

70
Nutritional value per 100g

60

50

40 Feed A

30 Feed B

20 Feed C

10

0
vitamin protein fibre carbohydrate
Componenets of Feeds

Marking criteria/rubric
 Correct heading 
 Correct calibration and labelled (with correct units) x-axis 
 Correct calibration and labelled (with correct units) y-axis 
 Correct plotting 
 Correct graph – three bars per component  (5)

1.8. Different feeds used on trials:

a) Feed A 
b) Feed B  (2)

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Agricultural Sciences Practical Investigation NSC Capricorn South District 23 February 2023

QUESTION 2

2.1. Production systems applied by both FARMER A and FARMER B.

FARMER A
Intensive 
FARMER B
Intensive  (2)

2.2. TWO reasons to support answer in QUESTION 2.1.

FARMER A
Produces chicken on a battery system 
FARMER B
Produces cattle on feedlot system  (2)
2.3. Main reason why FARMER A's broilers did not grow at the expected
growth rate.
Broilers were fed leftovers which were poor in protein required for the
growth  (2)
2.4.
2.4.1. Investigate the portions of FEED E and FEED G which should be
included in the 50kg bag of well-balanced ration.
The ratio of FEED E and FEED G
6 parts: 13 parts
6 + 13 = 19 
FEED E
6
= × 100 
19
= 31,58%
31,58% x 50kg = 15,79kg of the mixture 

FEED G
13
= × 100
19
= 68,42%
68,42% x 50kg = 34,21kg of the mixture  (5)

2.4.2. Total cost of a well-balanced ration of 50kg.

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Agricultural Sciences Practical Investigation NSC Capricorn South District 23 February 2023

FEED E
15,79kg x 2,89 = R45,63 

FEED G
34,21kg x 2,25 = R79,97

Total amount of feed: R45,63 + R79,97 = R125,60  (3)

2.5. Nutritive ratios of FEED C and FEED D

2.5.1. Comparison of the nutritive ratios of FEED C and FEED D.
FEED C
%𝑇𝐷𝑁−%𝐷𝑃
NR = 1: 
%𝐷𝑃
75%−9%
NR = 1:
9%
66%
NR = 1:
9%
NR = 1: 7,3 
Wide nutritive ratio

FEED D
%𝑇𝐷𝑁−%𝐷𝑃
NR = 1: 
%𝐷𝑃
66%−12%
NR = 1:
12%
54%
NR = 1:
12%
NR = 1: 4,5  or 1: 5 
Narrow nutritive ratio (4)

2.5.2. Suitability of FEED C for the growth of young animals.

 It is not suitable for the growth of young animals. 
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Agricultural Sciences Practical Investigation NSC Capricorn South District 23 February 2023

 It has a wide nutritive ratio (1:7,3). 

 The ratio is suitable for maintenance.  (Any 2) (2)

2.5.3. Implication of nutritive ratio of FEED D in terms of

carbohydrates and mineral requirements.
 For growth: sufficient minerals are required  and
carbohydrates are required only for maintenance 
 For production: sufficient minerals  and carbohydrates are
required 
 For reproduction: sufficient minerals are required and
carbohydrates are required for maintenance only
(Any 2) (4)

2.6. ONE environmental factor experienced by FARMER B which is a risk for

animal production on the farm.
 Very hot temperature (summer) 
 Very cold temperature (winter)  (Any 1) (1)

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TOTAL MARK: 50