AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES
PAPER 1
GRADE 12 
NSC PAST PAPERS AND MEMOS
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018

MEMORANDUM 

SECTION A
QUESTION 1 
1.1
1.1.1 D ✔✔ 
1.1.2 D ✔✔ 
1.1.3 C ✔✔ 
1.1.4 B ✔✔ 
1.1.5 C ✔✔ 
1.1.6 C ✔✔ 
1.1.7 A ✔✔ 
1.1.8 A ✔✔ 
1.1.9 B ✔✔ 
1.1.10 A/B ✔✔ (10 x 2) (20) 

1.2
1.2.1 B only ✔✔ 
1.2.2 Both A and B ✔✔ 
1.2.3 A only ✔✔ 
1.2.4 None ✔✔ 
1.2.5 A only ✔✔ (5 x 2) (10) 

1.3
1.3.1 Ptyalin/amylase ✔✔ 
1.3.2 External/ecto- parasites ✔✔ 
1.3.3 Bedding/litter ✔✔ 
1.3.4 Superovulation ✔✔ 
1.3.5 Mitochondria ✔✔ (5 x 2) (10) 

1.4
1.4.1 Nitrogen/Protein ✔ 
1.4.2 Removal Certificate/Permit ✔ 
1.4.3 Splitting ✔ 
1.4.4 Mesoderm ✔ 
1.4.5 Testosterone ✔ (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 Letter of the structure of cellulose digestion  

• A ✔ (1) 

2.1.2 Cellulose digesting enzyme 

• Cellulase ✔ (1) 

2.1.3 TWO requirements of the organisms in the part A 

• Easily digestible carbohydrates
• Regular intake of food for fermentation ✔
• Sufficient mineral nutrients(Na/Cu/Co/P) ✔
• Anaerobic/oxygen free environment ✔
• Presence of CO2 ✔
• Sufficient nitrogen ✔
• Suitable pH/slightly acidic pH/pH of 5,5 to 6,5 ✔
• Warm environment/temperature of 38-420c ✔
• Continual elimination of end products ✔ 
• Osmotic condition/moist environment ✔ (Any 2) (2) 

2.1.4 The type of digestion in part D 

• Chemical/enzymatic digestion ✔ (1) 

2.1.5 Reason for the answer  

• Part D secrets digestive juices/enzymes ✔ (1)

2.2 Available animal feeds  
2.2.1 Classification of FEED A and FEED C 

• Feed A - Concentrate ✔ (1)
• Feed C - Roughage ✔ (1) 

2.2.2 Letters recommended for each situation  

(a) B ✔ (1) 
(b) D ✔ (1) 
(c) A ✔ (1) 
(d) C ✔ (1) 

2.2.3 Justification of better digestion of feed B when ground

• Ground feed/maize has smaller particles with an increased  surface area ✔
• for more exposure to enzymes and better digestion ✔ (2)

2.3 Feed trial 
2.3.1 Calculation of the digestibility co-efficient of hay 

• = 11,5kg x 100 ✔ 
       24kg
  = 47,9 ✔ % ✔ (3) 

2.3.2 Stage the hay was cut 

• It was cut later in the season when it was old/matured ✔ (1) 

2.3.3 Reason based on the calculated value 

• Only 47,9% of the hay was digested and absorbed ✔
• The hay was hard/lignified/with a high crude fibre content/less/poorly/difficult to digest ✔ (2) 

2.3.4 TWO supplementary substances to improve digestibility of hay ∙

• Non-protein nitrogen/NPN/urea/biuret ✔
• Molasses ✔
• Caustic soda ✔ (Any 2) (2)

2.4 Fodder flow plan 
2.4.1 TWO months when feed was insufficient  

• April ✔
• May ✔
• June ✔ (Any 2) (2) 

2.4.2 TWO reasons  

• The need is higher than the supply/there is a shortage ✔ 
• Supplementary feeding is provided ✔ (2) 

2.4.3 Total quantity of the supplementary feed in May 

• Supplementary feed(kg/animal) x number of days in May x number of  animals
  = 2 kg x 31 x 50 ✔
  = 3 100 kg ✔ 
        1 000
  = 3,1 tons ✔ (3)

2.5 Bar graph showing the crude fibre and crude protein of the different feeds 

Criteria/rubric/marking guidelines 

• Correct heading ✔
• Y axis - correctly calibrated and labelled (Quantities) ✔
• X axis - correctly calibrated and labelled (Feed) ✔
• Correct unit (%) ✔
• Bar graph ✔
• Accuracy ✔(6) [35] 

QUESTION 3 ANIMAL PRODUCTION, PROTECTION AND CONTROL 
3.1 Production systems  
3.1.1 Identification of the TWO production systems represented by A and B

• A - Intensive production system ✔ (1)
• B - Extensive production system ✔ (1) 

3.1.2 Comparison of the TWO production systems  
(a) Method of feeding 

• Intensive production system - feed is provided to  animals ✔
• Extensive production system - animals graze/look for  food ✔ (2) 

(b) Space per production output  

• Intensive production system - more production per  area ✔
• Extensive production system - less production per  area ✔ (2)

3.2 The feeding and temperature requirements at different stages 
3.2.1 Main nutrient for broilers 

• Proteins ✔ (1) 

3.2.2 Importance of the nutrient element 

• Need protein for muscle and tissue growth ✔
• Act as antibodies that provide immunity ✔
• Collagens support tendons, ligaments and a beak ✔
• Controls body fluid balance and muscle contraction ✔
• Repair worn out tissues ✔ (Any 1) (1) 

3.2.3 Reason for the inclusion of carbohydrates in a finisher mash

• Need carbohydrates for fattening/rounding off ✔ (1) 

3.2.4 The relationship between protein level, temperature requirements  and the age  

• The younger the broilers ✔ the higher the protein level of the feed ✔ and the higher the temperature requirement ✔
  OR
• The older the broilers ✔ the lower the protein level of the feed ✔ and the lower the temperature requirement ✔ (3)

3.3 Tools used for animal identification purposes 
3.3.1 Branding iron ✔ (1)
3.3.2 Ear tag ✔ (1)
3.3.3 Smart neck band ✔ (1) 
3.3.4 Tattoo pliers ✔ (1)
3.4 Handling facilities for specified operations 
3.4.1 Identification of the facility 

• Loading/off- loading ramp ✔ (1) 

3.4.2 Use of the facility 

• For loading/off-loading animals ✔ (1) 

3.4.3 TWO design features of the facility 

• High and strong walls ✔
• Width according to the type of animal ✔
• Angle not too steep ✔
• Not slippery ✔ (Any 2) (2) 

3.4.4 TWO forms of harm to an animal during the handling process ∙

• Physical/injuries ✔
• Stress/emotional ✔ (2)

3.5 Parasites in farm animals 
3.5.1 The TWO parasites 

• A - External parasite/ecto-parasite ✔ (1)
• B - Internal/endo-parasite ✔ (1) 

3.5.2 Motivation from the diagram  

• A - Larvae attaches itself onto the skin ✔ (1)
• B - Worms are swallowed and bore through the intestines into the  liver ✔ (1) 

3.5.3 Preventative measure against parasite B 

• Avoid grazing in swampy areas/fencing off affected  areas/removal of dung ✔
• Drinking spots should be kept dry ✔
• Rotational grazing ✔
• Breeding genetically resistant animals ✔
• Treat affected areas ✔
• Veld burning ✔
• Use of feeders ✔
• Provision of clean drinking water ✔ 
• Provision of good nutrition ✔
• Proper management of the breeding season/calving ✔   (Any 1) (1)

3.6 Animal diseases  
3.6.1 Scientific term for animal health conditions 

(a) Contagious/infectious diseases ✔ (1) 
(b) Vector ✔ (1) 

3.6.2 ONE bacterial disease that can be transmitted to the next  animal 

• Tuberculosis ✔
• Anthrax ✔ (Any 1) (1) 

3.6.3 Role of the farmer  

• Quarantine/isolation of sick animals ✔
• Regular inspections/monitoring for the presence of disease
• Vaccination/inoculation ✔
• Treatment of sick animals ✔
• Burning/burying carcass of infected animals ✔ 
• Report to the authorities ✔ (Any 1) (1) 

3.6.4 TWO measures how farm workers can be exposed to animal  diseases 

• Exposure to/contact with infected animals ✔
• Use of unsterilized equipment ✔ (2)

3.6.5 TWO roles of the state in controlling the spread of infectious  diseases 

• Production of vaccines ✔
• Setting up quarantine areas/zones ✔
• Research ✔
• Publications ✔
• Import/export bans/control measures/movement permits ✔
• Veterinary services ✔ (Any 2) (2) [35] 

QUESTION 4: ANIMAL REPRODUCTION 
4.1 The diagram of a sperm cell 
4.1.1 Identification of part A 

• Acrosome ✔ (1) 

4.1.2 The function of the part 

(a) A - Facilitate penetration of the sperm cell into the   ovum/protects the head of the sperm cell ✔ (1) 
(b) B - Transmission of DNA/genetic material/information ✔ (1) 
(c) D - Mobility/movement of the sperm cell ✔ (1) 

4.1.3 Distinction between sperm cell and semen 

• Sperm cell - Male gamete/reproductive cell for fertilisation ✔ (1)
• Semen - Mixture of sperm cells and the fluids   from the accessory glands ✔ (1) 

4.1.4 The female reproductive cell  

• Ovum/egg cell/female gamete ✔ (1)

4.2 Foetus development in cattle 
4.2.1 Identification of parts B and F 

• B - Allantois ✔ (1)
• F - Umbilical cord ✔ (1) 

4.2.2 The function of part D 

• Protection for the foetus/shock absorber ✔ 
• Lubricates the birth canal ✔
• Regulates temperature around foetus✔
• Prevents dehydration✔ (Any 1) (1)

4.2.3 Conditions associated with pregnancy 

• (a) Mummification ✔ (1)
• (b) Maceration ✔ (1)
• (c) Abortion ✔ (1)
• (d) Placenta retention ✔  (1)

4.3 Dairy farmer with 100 cows and one bull 
4.3.1 Identification of the problem in this enterprise 

• Bull: cow ratio not proportional/1 bull to 100 cows ✔
• The calving percentage is too low/conception rate problems ✔  (Any 1) (1) 

4.3.2 Scientific technique that will result in a higher calving percentage Artificial insemination/AI ✔ (1) 
4.3.3 Other method to improve the calving percentage 

• Make use of more bulls/3–5 bulls ✔ (1) 

4.3.4 Impact of nutrition on the fertility of bulls 

• Underfeeding impacts negatively on spermatogenesis/sperm  formation/volume/quality of semen ✔
• Overfeeding causes bulls to become fat/heavy/lazy reducing the  ability to service cows(libido) ✔ (2)

4.3.5 TWO other reasons for this bull performing poorly 

• Over exertion/exhaustion ✔
• Old age ✔
• Lack of libido ✔
• Conformational abnormalities ✔
• Inability to fertilise/low sperm count ✔ (Any 2) (2)  

4.4 Milk production of a dairy cow for one year  
4.4.1 Term for the graph illustrated 

• Lactation curve ✔ (1) .

4.4.2 Indication of the letter  

• (a) H ✔ (1)
• (b) A ✔ (1)
• (c) B ✔ (1)
• (d) D ✔ (1) 

4.4.3 Reasons for the drop in the milk production between point F  and point G 

• Illness/the cow was sick/disease ✔
• Injury ✔
• Adverse/bad environmental conditions ✔ 
• Malnutrition/over/under feeding ✔ 
• The cow is about to dry off ✔ (Any 2) (2)   

4.5 Oestrus in dairy cows 
4.5.1 Definition of oestrus in dairy cows 

• Period when non-pregnant cows show visible signs of oestrus ✔ 
• and will allow mating to take place ✔ (2) 

4.5.2 Visible signs of oestrus in dairy cattle  

• Mucus discharge from the vulva ✔
• Vulva is red/moist/swollen ✔
• Restless/bellows/excited ✔
• Feed/saliva on the back/hair is fluffed up ✔
• Feed intake decreases/loss of appetite ✔
• Milk production decreases ✔
• Sniffs the genitalia of other cows ✔
• Raises her head and curls her lips ✔
• Cows goes to the bull and allows mating✔ (Any 2) (2)  

4.5.3 Cow in oestrus  

• Cow A/B ✔ (1) 

4.5.4 Oestrus 

• (a) Oestrogen ✔(1) 
• (b) 21 days ✔ (1) 

[35] 
TOTAL SECTION B: 105
GRAND TOTAL: 150