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SEKHUKHUNE SOUTH DISTRICT

NATIONAL SENIOR
CERTIFICATE

GRADE 12

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES
ANIMAL PRODUCTION TOPIC TEST
07 MARCH 2025

MARKS: 100 DURATION: 2 hours

This question paper consist of 11 pages

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AGRS Grade 12 Animal Production Topic Test March 2025

INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION

1. This question paper consists of TWO sections, namely SECTION A and

SECTION B.

2. Answer ALL the questions in the ANSWER BOOK.

3. Start EACH question on a NEW page.
4. Number the answers correctly according to the numbering system used in this
question paper.

5. You may use a non-programmable calculator.

6. Show ALL calculations, including formulae, where applicable.
7. Write neatly and legibly.

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AGRS Grade 12 Animal Production Topic Test March 2025

SECTION A
QUESTION 1
1.1 Various options are provided as possible answers to the following questions.
Choose the correct answer and write the correct letter (A – D) next to the
question number (1.1.1 – 1.1.5) in the ANSWER SHEET.
1.1.1 The production system where chickens are allowed to roam freely during
the day and confined to a shed at night is called a/an …
A free-range
B deep-litter
C open
D cage
1.1.2 The safest way to approach larger ruminant farm animals during
handling.
(i) Announce presence through a touch on the side or front
(ii) Never use a prodder if there is no space for animals to go
(iii) Move animals through a chute with minimal obstructions
(iv) Make movement from the blind spot
Choose the CORRECT combination:
A (i), (iii) and (iv)
B (ii), (iii) and (iv)
C (i), (ii) and (iv)
D (i), (ii) and (iii)
1.1.3 Protection against … is NOT an advantage of shelters in livestock
production:
A Optimum temperatures
B Predators
C Cold temperatures
D Rainfall
1.1.4 Choose ONE description about the flight zone of an animal which is
CORRECT:
A A point where a handler will initiate movement
B An area that an animal is not able to see without turning its head
C The space around the animal where it feels safe
D An area where the animal feels threatened

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AGRS Grade 12 Animal Production Topic Test March 2025

1.1.5 Pigs show the following behaviour when they are under stress:
A Eating hurriedly
B Lying calmly
C Wallow in water
D Biting their tails (2×5) (10)

1.2 Indicate whether each of the description in COLUMN B applies to A ONLY, B

ONLY, BOTH A AND B or NONE of the items in COLUMN A. Write A ONLY, B
ONLY, BOTH A and B or NONE next to the question numbers (1.2.1 to 1.2.5) in
the ANSWER SHEET, e.g. 1.2.6 B only.

COLUMN A COLUMN B
1.2.1 A Soil sods Used in pens to absorb moisture
and insulate cold cement floors
B Hay and straw
1.2.2 A Infra-red light Reduces the impact of cold weather
conditions in extensive beef
B Insulator production
1.2.3 A Subsistence farming Farming system using advanced
agricultural technology
B Commercial farming
1.2.4 A Dairy parlour Handling facility for cows that
produce milk in an intensive
B Milking parlour production system
1.2.5 A Cannibalism Abnormal behaviour of pigs under
distress ( killing and eating piglets in
B Pawing the furrowing pen)
(5)

1.3 Give ONE WORD/TERM for each of the following descriptions. Write only the
word/term next to the question number (1.3.1 – 1.3.5) in the ANSWER SHEET

1.3.1 Material such as sawdust and straw which are placed on the floor of
pigsty to insulate cold cement floor and absorb moisture
1.3.2 The ability of farm animals to maintain a constant body temperature.
1.3.3 Board used to control pig movement during handling.

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AGRS Grade 12 Animal Production Topic Test March 2025

1.3.4 A farmer who produces on a large scale and is profit orientated .

1.3.5 A restricted area where large animals are kept for maximum production
(2 x 5) (10)

1.4 Change the UNDERLINED WORD in each of the following statements to

make them TRUE. Write only the answer next to the question number
1.4.1 The lowest critical temperature is the most suitable temperature for farm
Animals.
1.4.2 An electric plier is a handled rod used to deliver a mild electric shock for
handling large animals.
1.4.3 The distance animals like to keep between themselves and danger
is referred to as the blind spot.
1.4.4 The driving licence is a document carried by the driver with a clear
identification of the animals transported on a public road.
1.4.5 A halter is a surgical device used to castrate large cattle by clipping the
seminal cord only, without damaging the scrotum.

(1 x 5) (5)

TOTAL SECTION A : 30

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AGRS Grade 12 Animal Production Topic Test March 2025

SECTION B

QUESTION 2
2.1 The illustrations below show two animal production systems practiced
in different parts of South Africa:

PRODUCTION SYSTEM A PRODUCTION SYSTEM B

2.1.1 Identify EACH of the following:

(a) Production system A (1)

(b) production system B (1)

2.1.2 Give a reason to motivate the answer based on the illustration of

production system B in question 2.1.1 (b). (1)
2.1.3 Compare Production system A and B with regard to the following:
(a) production output per unit area. (2)
(b) Environmental control (2)
(c) Productivity (2)
(d) Human input (2)

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AGRS Grade 12 Animal Production Topic Test March 2025

2.2 The table below shows the distances cattle walked and the energy used at
different temperatures.
TEMPERATURES DISTANCE WALKED ENERGY USED
(0C) (km per day) (MJ per day)
5 1 10
10 3 8
15 4 7
20 5 6
25 7 4
30 6 6
35 2 7
40 0 8
2.2.1 Draw a combined bar graph showing the distances cattle walked and
the energy used at temperatures between 10 oC and 40 oC. (6)
2.2.2 Give a reason why cattle use more energy at temperatures of 35 oC

and higher. (1)

2.3 Name the farm animals to which the following basic guidelines apply when
they are handled:
2.3.1 Carry them by both legs. (1)
2.3.2 Catch them above the joint of the hind legs. (1)
2.3.3 Use a plywood board when moving them. (1)

2.4 The following is a list of equipment used in a broiler production unit:

• Foldable curtains
• Electric heaters
• Fans on the roof and walls
• Insulation material on the roof
2.4.1 Indicate the equipment in the list above that is used for each of the
following situations:
(a) Keeping the temperature inside the broiler unit constant day
and night. (1)
(b) Increasing the temperature inside during a sudden drop in
environmental temperatures. (1)
(c) Reducing the temperature on a very hot day. (1)

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AGRS Grade 12 Animal Production Topic Test March 2025

2.5

Farm animals tend to behave differently under various conditions.

Understanding the behaviours of these animals helps to prevent
injuries to both people and animals as fear-based behaviour is likely to
be the main cause of accidents.

2.5.1 Indicate the farm animals that show the following types of behaviour
during handling:
(a) Pawing when in distress (1)
(b) Easy to handle when they are together (1)
(c) Panting when they are stressed (1)
(d) Peck when feeding (1)
(e) Aggressive when protecting their young ones. (1)

2.6 The pictures below indicate management practices applied to piglets:

A B

2.6.1 Identify management practices A and B above. (2)

2.6.2 Refer to A and name the mineral that is usually given to piglets. (1)

2.7 Name THREE requirements of a vehicle transporting farm animals. (3)

(35)

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AGRS Grade 12 Animal Production Topic Test March 2025

QUESTION 3

3.1 The table below indicates the lowest critical temperatures of different farm
animals.

FARM ANIMAL LOWEST CRITICAL TEMPERATURE (OC)

Dairy cattle 5
Piglets 30
Sows 10
Day-old chicks 20
Layers 10
Baconers 15

3.1.1 Refer to the information in the table above to identify the animal:

(a) That will not utilise feed effectively at a temperature of 24 oC (1)

(b) That will utilise feed effectively at a temperature of 8 oC (1)

3.1.2 Justify the answer in QUESTION 3.1.1 (a). (1)

3.1.3 Distinguish between the heat loss in farm animals through:
(a) Conduction (1)

(b) Radiation (1)

3.2 Read the following scenario and study the picture below it to answer
questions:

In adverse weather conditions, livestock productivity in an extensive production

system is inefficient in relation to quantity of food consumed. Animals
experiencing excessively hot or cold conditions require more energy to maintain
their basic metabolism, thus they have less energy available to increase their
body weight or production

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AGRS Grade 12 Animal Production Topic Test March 2025

From the scenario above :

3.2.1 Identify the key condition that impacts negatively on production. (2)
3.2.2 Briefly describe TWO economic impacts of this condition on the
farmer. (2)
3.2.3 Name a measure a farmer can take to reduce the impact of varying
temperatures in an extensive cattle production system under:
(a) Hot conditions (1)
(b) Cold conditions (1)

3.2.4 From the picture above :

(a) Identify TWO visible actions that the cattle perform in the picture
above to reduce the effect of heat. (2)
(b) Identify a negative impact of extremely hot conditions to the cattle
in the picture. (2)
3.2.5 Indicate THREE reasons why shelter for farm animals is
important. (3)

3.3 Different equipment and structures are used by farmers in handling farm
animals.

Identify the equipment and structures used by farmers in each of the

following statements:

3.3.1 To mark stud rams with a permanent and specific code inside the ear (1)
3.3.2 Equips dairy cattle with an advanced electronic device to locate
them and record the distance they walk per day (1)
3.3.3 Remove the testes of bull calves (1)
3.3.4 A permanent structure where sows and piglets are kept before and
after parturition (1)
3.3.5 A permanent structure where poultry are kept on cement floors for
their entire productive lives (1)

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AGRS Grade 12 Animal Production Topic Test March 2025

3.4 Study the diagram below:

3.4.1 Identify the facility labelled A and B in the above diagram (2)
3.4.2 Give the main purpose of structure B that is attached to handling
facility A above (1)
3.4.3 Name TWO design feature of handling facility A for the proper
handling of farm animals (2)
3.4.4 Other facilities, equipment and tools are used to handle animals.

Indicate purpose of using the following facilities and tools:

(a) Loading ramp. (1)

(b) Drenching gun. (1)

(c) Emasculator. (1)

(d) Anti-suckling device. (1)

(e) Holding pen. (1)

3.5 Give any TWO reasons for handling farm animals. (2)

(35)

TOTAL SECTION B: 70

GRAND TOTAL : 100

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