Agricultural Sciences/P1 1 LimpopoDoE/June 2024

NSC – Marking guidelines

NATIONAL
SENIOR CERTIFICATE

GRADE 12

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES P1

JUNE 2024

MARKING GUIDELINES

MARKS: 150

These marking guidelines consist of 14 pages.

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Agricultural Sciences/P1 2 LimpopoDoE/June 2024
NSC – Marking guidelines

SECTION A

QUESTION 1

1.1. 1.1.1 C 
1.1.2 B 
1.1.3 B 
1.1.4 C 
1.1.5 D 
1.1.6 C 
1.1.7 A 
1.1.8 B 
1.1.9 A 
1.1.10 D  (10 X 2) (20)

1.2. 1.2.1 None 

1.2.2 Both A and B 
1.2.3 B 
1.2.4 B 
1.2.5 A  (5 X 2) (10)

1.3. 1.3.1 Regurgitation/retro-peristalsis 

1.3.2 Shed/silo 
1.3.3 Freemartin 
1.3.4 Dominant 
1.3.5 Artificial selection  (5 x 2) (10)

1.4. 1.4.1 Net energy/NE 

1.4.2 Bile juice/acids 
1.4.3 Topical 
1.4.4 Repeat breeders 
1.4.5 Atavism 
(5 x 1) (5)
TOTAL SECTION A: 45

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SECTION B
QUESTION 2: ANIMAL NUTRITION

2.1. Naming of the animal in

2.1.1 DIAGRAM 1 – Chicken/fowl/poultry  (1)
DIAGRAM 2 – Cattle/sheep/goats  (1)

2.1.2 Identification of the letters

(a) B (1)
(b) A (1)

2.2. Sow and its litter in a farrowing pen

2.2.1 Mineral element deficient
Iron/Fe  (1)

2.2.2 TWO iron deficiency symptoms

• Anaemia 
• Paleness of mucous membranes 
• Listlessness/laziness/fatigue/lethargy 
• Laboured/difficult breathing 
• Accelerated heartbeat 
• Loss of appetite 
• Diarrhoea 
• Reduced growth  (Any 2) (2)

2.2.3 A method of supplementing iron

• Soil sods 
• Injection 
• Iron paste/paint/solution  (Any 1) (1)

2.2.4 Feed component for optimum growth of piglets

Protein  (1)

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2.3. Fodder flow programme

2.3.1 Calculation of the total feed required by the animals in month 6
(in tons)
Total feed required = 10.4 kg x 50 x 30 = 14 250 
= 15 600 kg 
1000

= 15,6 tons  (3)

2.3.2 Problem of fodder flow programme depicted in the table

Shortage/deficit of feed during month 5/6  (1)

2.3.3 Justification
Supply is 12 tons in month 5 and 4 tons in month 6 while the requirement
is 13,5 and 14,25 tons respectively/feed available is less than feed
required  (1)

2.4. Nutritional composition of feeds

2.4.1 Classification of feeds
Concentrates  (1)

2.4.2 Importance of feeding animals with concentrates

• Provides energy and protein requirements of an animal 
• Necessary for fattening/finishing animals 
• For the production of protein rich products 
• Essential for growth 
• Pigs and fowls are exclusively fed on concentrates as
they cannot utilize roughage  (Any 1) (1)

2.4.3 Identification of the feed

(a) Wide nutritive ratio: Oat meal  (1)
(b) Narrow nutritive ratio: Peanut oilcake meal  (1)

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2.4.4 Calculation of the ratio for each feed to get the 14% digestible
protein
Oat meal 7% 24 parts 

14%

Peanut oil cake meal 38% 7 parts 

Ratio of oat meal to peanut oilcake meal is 24:7  (4)

2.5. Digestibility of feed

2.5.1 The digestibility of the feed
= 40  %  (2)

2.5.2 The implication of the feed

• The feed was less digested/low digestibility co-efficient 
• 40% of the feed was digested 
• 60% of the feed was excreted  (Any 2) (2)

2.5.3 TWO animal related factors having an influenced on the

digestibility of the feed given to ANIMAL A and ANIMAL B
• Individuality 
• Age of the animal 
• Production  (Any 2) (2)

2.5.3 Substances to be added to feed

(a) Urea/biuret  (1)
(b) Molasses  (1)
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QUESTION 3: ANIMAL PRODUCTION, PROTECTION AND CONTROL

3.1. Farming system in pigs

3.1.1 Identification of the farming system

(a) PICTURE A – Commercial  (1)
(b) PICTURE B – Subsistence  (1)

3.1.2 TWO factors to increase animal production in a farrowing pen

• Environment/housing/sheltering 
• Nutrition/feeding 
• Management 
• Breeding/reproduction  (Any 2) (2)

3.2. Line graph

3.2.1 Line graph showing the temperature requirements of broilers at
different ages for the first month

CRITERIA/RUBRIC/MARKING GUIDELINES
• Correct heading 
• X-axis: correct calibrations and labelling (Age) 
• Y-axis: correct calibrations and labelling (Temperature requirements) 
• Correct units (oC and weeks) 
• Line graph 
• Accuracy (80% + correctly plotted)  (6)

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3.2.2 The trend of temperature requirements over a period of 7 weeks

Temperature requirements decline with increased age  until it
stabilises from week 5 to 7  (2)

3.3. TWO basic principles of good health

• Good sanitation/hygiene 
• Vaccination 
• Veld burning 
• Proper feeding 
• Proper handling of manure 
• Isolation of sick animals from healthy ones 
• Practice of rotational grazing to control parasites at their
breeding areas  (Any 2) (2)

3.4. Poisonous plant

3.4.1 Identification of the poisonous plant
Thorn apple/devil’s apple/devil’s trumpet  (1)

3.4.2 TWO measures to prevent plant poisoning

• Remove the poisonous plants 
• Remove animals from camps infested with poisonous plant 
• Avoid overgrazing/practice rotational grazing 
• Feed animals well 
• Inspection of hay provided to farm animals  (Any 2) (2)

3.4.3 TWO ways to treat farm animals with plant poisoning

• Keep affected animal away from drinking water for two days,
thereafter allow only small quantities of water 
• Administer activated charcoal/strong tea/tannic acid/remedies that
will neutralise the plant poison 
• Provide large doses of purgative to expel poison 
• Dose the animal with sugar/glucose  (Any 2) (2)

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3.5. Diseases caused by micro-organisms

3.5.1 Completing the table
• A – Virus  (1)
• B
o Chronic cough 
o Squeaky breathing 
o Dyspnea/enlarge lymph nodes  (Any 1) (1)
• C – Protozoa  (1)
• D – Ringworm  (1)
• E – Bont tick/3-host tick  (1)

3.5.2 Identification of the disease transmitted from animals to humans

Tuberculosis/TB/ringworm  (1)
[25]

QUESTION 4: ANIMAL REPRODUCTION

4.1. The reproductive system of a farm animal

4.1.1 The letter representing the part in the diagram
(a) E (1)
(b) B (1)
4.1.2 A membrane responsible for implantation
Endometrium  (1)

4.1.3 The hormone responsible for the release of the ovum

Luteinising hormone (LH)  (1)
Process
Ovulation  (1)

4.2. Reproductive processes in dairy cows

4.2.1 Identification of curve A
Lactation curve  (1)

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4.2.2 Indication of the reproductive process and pregnancy stage

(a) month 3 to 12 – pregnancy/gestation  (1)
(b) stage of the process – Foetal stage  (1)

4.2.3 TWO cause of abortion

• Malnutrition 
• Injuries 
• Multiple births 
• Genetic factors 
• Embryo abnormalities 
• Diseases/infections/high fever 
• Hormonal disturbances/stress conditions 
• Toxins/poisonous substances/laxatives/allergies/clovers
high in oestrogen/immunisation of pregnant animals 
• Transportation/moving of pregnant animals  (Any 2) (2)

4.2.4 Reason for drying off pregnant lactating cows to before the
next lactation
• For tissues in the mammary gland to recover 
• To sore body reserves/to prepare for the next lactation 
• Supply the foetus with the nutrients  (Any 1) (1)

4.3. Parturition
4.3.1 The appropriate term for difficult birth
Dystocia  (1)

4.3.2 TWO factors related to the cows that contribute to difficult

births
• Torsion of the uterus 
• Age of the animal 
• Uterine inertia/weak contractions/labour 
• Prolonged gestation period 
• Poor body condition 

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• Size of the pelvic area 

• Incomplete cervical dilation 
• Vaginal tear/injuries 
• Diseases  (Any 2) (2)

4.3.3 Hormone responsible for the relaxation of the cow’s muscles

Relaxin  (1)

4.3.4 TWO noticeable behavioural changes in a cow which is about

to give birth
• Isolation/nesting behavior 
• Making bellowing noises 
• Restlessness/signs of discomfort because of pain 
• Urinates and defecates often 
• Stops eating/lack of appetite  (Any 2) (2)

4.4. Apparatus and equipment used for AI

4.4.1 Indication of the function of the apparatus and equipment
Picture A – Depositing semen into the reproductive tracts of a
cow 
Picture B – Storage of semen  (2)

4.4.2 Indication of where the apparatus is placed during AI

Cervix/uterus  (1)

4.4.3 TWO basic requirements for storage of semen

• Semen be stored at 5 oC for shorter periods 
• Semen stored for longer periods must be frozen in liquid
nitrogen at – 196 oC 
• Semen must be stored in polyvinyl straws 
• End of straws be sealed to prevent entering of liquid nitrogen 
• Straws be labelled for identification  (2)

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4.4.4 TWO advantages of artificial insemination

• Reduces the exchange of sexually transmitted diseases 
• Superior male animal can fertilise more female animals 
• Semen from males in other countries can be used 
• Quick and economical way to improve the herd 
• Valuable tool in assisting with progeny testing 
• Semen can be used long after bull’s death 
• AI increases the reproductive and conception rate 
• No need to buy, keep and maintain expensive bulls 
• Inferior bulls can be detected at an early stage and avoided 
• Possible where mating in impossible  (Any 2) (2)

4.4.5 The phase of the oestrus cycle which AI could be performed

Oestrus/met-oesturs  (1)
[25]

QUESTION 5: BASIC AGRICULTURAL GENETICS

5.1. Monohybrid crossing

5.1.1 Punnett square to determine the genotype

Gametes r r

R Rr Rr
R Rr Rr

MARKING RUBRIC

• Correct gametes of male parent  (1)

• Correct gametes of female parent  (1)
• Correct genotype of the offspring  (1)
• Punnett square populated with gametes and offspring  (1)

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5.1.2 Percentage of red piglets

• 0/4 x 100 
• = 0%  (2)

5.2. Sex determination

5.2.1 Indication of the percentage chance – 50%  (1)
5.2.2 Determination of the ratio – 1:1  (1)

5.3. Breeding systems

5.3.1 Identification of the animal breeding system
Cross breeding 

5.3.2 Reason for the answer

Two different breeds are crossed/Hereford and Nguni 

5.3.3 TWO advantages of inbreeding

• Uniform/homozygous offspring are produced 
• Farmer obtain pure-bred groups 
• Good characteristics from the ancestors are maintained 
• Bad recessive genes can be eliminated 
• Help with selection between family groups 
• Herd has greater prepotency  (Any 2) (2)

5.4. Variation
5.4.1 Explanation of the term variation
• The differences  amongst individual of the same species  (2)

5.4.2 TWO internal causes of variation

• Mutation 
• Meiosis/crossing-over/recombination of genes 
• Random fertilisation  (Any 2) (2)

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5.4.3 TWO importance of variation

• Forms the basis of selection 
• Improves existing breeds/cultivars 
• Development of new breeds/plant cultivars  (Any 2) (2)

5.4.4 TWO types of mutagen

• Biological 
• Physical 
• Chemical  (Any 2) (2)

5.5. Genetic modification

5.5.1 TWO health benefits of genetically modified crops.
• Food low in pesticide residues/farmers use less pesticides 
• High nutritional value 
• Food with a better flavour/colour/texture 
• Production of medication  (Any 2) (2)

5.5.2 ONE negative effect of genetically modified crops on the

environment
• Leads to development of super weeds 
• Beneficial insects can be killed 
• Leads to the excessive use of herbicides/pollution 
• Reduces biodiversity  (Any 1) (1)

5.5.3 TWO aims of genetic modification in animals

• To develop new vaccines and medication for animals/people 
• Develop animal models to study animal/human diseases 
• Produces products for therapeutic use 
• Produces industrial and consumer products/fibres 
• To increase the yield of animal products 
• To increase the nutritional quality of animal products 
• To increase the health quality of animal products 

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• Improves production characteristics/growth rate/milk production 

• Improves the resistance to pest/diseases/harsh environmental
conditions
• Manipulation for desirable characteristics in an organism 
• Breed more fertile animals  (Any 2) (2)
[25]

TOTAL SECTION B: 105

GRAND TOTAL: 150

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