2017 HIGHER SCHOOL CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION Agriculture General Instructions Reading time 5 minutes Working time 3 hours Write using black pen Draw diagrams using pencil NESA approved calculators may be used Total marks: 100 Section I 80 marks (pages 2 24) This section has two parts, Part A and Part B Part A 20 marks Attempt Questions 1 20 Allow about 30 minutes for this part Part B 60 marks Attempt Questions 21 27 Allow about 1 hour and 45 minutes for this part Section II 20 marks (pages 25 26) Attempt ONE question from Questions 28 30 Allow about 45 minutes for this section 2000
Section I 80 marks Part A 20 marks Attempt Questions 1 20 Allow about 30 minutes for this part Use the multiple-choice answer sheet for Questions 1 20. 1 Which of the following is a disadvantage of the ruminant digestive system? A. Inefficient digestion of starch B. Inability to synthesise vitamin B C. Inability to utilise low quality proteins D. Loss of energy due to methane production 2 Examples of land management practices are listed. W X Y Z Clearing of trees and cultivation of the soil Burning vegetation to stimulate new growth Planting crops with minimal soil disturbance Frequent cultivation and regular cropping Which of the following sequences shows land management practices over time in Australia from earliest to most recent? A. W X Y Z B. X W Z Y C. W Z X Y D. X W Y Z 3 Which combination of farming practices is most likely to lead to a decrease in water quality in waterways? A. Crop rotation, stock access, cultivation B. Fertiliser usage, cultivation, stock access C. Ley farming, stock access, fertiliser usage D. Green manuring, fertiliser usage, cultivation 2
4 Which of the following is an advantage of establishing a mixed species pasture? A. It extends the growing season of a pasture. B. The mixture of species suppresses weed growth. C. Pasture production in arid climatic zones is possible. D. It is easier to establish and manage than monocultures. 5 What is the meaning of the term withholding period? A. The period between planting and harvesting B. The period between chemical treatment and harvesting C. The period between chemical treatment of a pest and its control D. The period between chemical treatment of a pest and human consumption 6 What is the purpose of whole farm planning? A. To develop and manage wildlife corridors B. To classify land and match it to intended usage C. To ensure the long-term sustainability of the farm D. To calculate gross margins for various farm enterprises 7 What does weight per unit volume of soil measure? A. Porosity B. Structure C. Bulk density D. Ion exchange capacity 3
8 Which row of the table of soil characteristics best describes a sandy soil? Soil characteristics Moisture-holding Bulk density Structure Ion exchange capacity capacity A. High High Blocky Medium B. Medium Medium Crumb Low C. High High Massive High D. Low Low Single grains Low 9 The following growth curves compare the growth of lambs on two farms with the regional average growth rate for lambs. Weight (kg) 25 20 15 10 Growth curves for prime lambs KEY Farm 1 average Regional average Farm 2 average 5 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 Age (weeks) What is the difference in weight between lambs from Farm 1 and the regional average at 9 weeks of age? A. 1.0 kg B. 2.5 kg C. 3.0 kg D. 5.0 kg 10 What does the term heritability mean in relation to genetic improvement? A. The portion of a trait determined by genes B. The portion of a trait determined by the environment C. The increase or decrease of a trait over the breed average D. The percentage of a particular breed in a cross-bred animal 4
11 The diagrams show parts of a ruminant digestive system and the digestive system of a pig. Rumen Reticulum Omasum Abomasum X Which part of the ruminant digestive system has the same function as the part labelled X in the pig digestive system? A. Abomasum B. Omasum C. Reticulum D. Rumen 12 The prime purpose of regulating access to water on farms is to A. prevent irrigation salinity. B. share water equally between farms. C. prevent eutrophication of rivers and streams. D. balance the needs of farmers and environmental flows. 5
13 What does this table represent? Weight range (kg) Live weight price (c/kg) Carcase price (c/kg) Estimated value ($/head) 0 200 385 700 693 200 280 382 696 1053 280 300 372 676 1190 A. A market report B. Supply of a product C. Demand for a product D. A gross margin analysis 14 Which combination of factors affects the rate of photosynthesis in a plant? A. Day length and temperature B. Carbon dioxide and oxygen concentrations C. Day length and carbon dioxide concentration D. Carbon dioxide concentration and light intensity 15 The diagram below shows a plant breeding system. Variety A Inbred for 7 10 generations Variety B Inbred for 7 10 generations Stable inbred A Stable inbred B Inbred A X Inbred B Seed for commercial cropping Which type of plant breeding system is shown? A. Hybridisation B. Cross breeding C. Selective breeding D. Genetic engineering 6
16 Financial information for a farm is shown. Land value $2 000 000 Livestock and machinery $1 500 000 Annual farm income $500 000 Annual farm costs $240 000 What is the return on capital for this farm? A. 7.4% B. 13.0% C. 14.3% D. 25.0% 17 The diagram shows a program that can be used to synchronise oestrus in female animals. Beginning day of schedule Injection of hormone Injected females show signs of oestrus 1 4 days after injection 0 1 2 3 4 5 days 6 7 8 9 10 Insemination of females in oestrus Which hormone is injected at day 5? A. Oxytocin B. Progesterone C. Prostaglandin D. Follicle stimulating hormone 7
18 A portion of the label for a drench used to treat internal parasites in sheep is shown. Live weight Dose 56 60 kg 12 ml 61 65 kg 13 ml 66 70 kg 14 ml 71 75 kg 15 ml Dosage and administration Sheep in excess of 75 kg to be dosed at 1 ml per 5 kg bodyweight Administer orally A representative sample of animals should be weighed before treatment Dose the mob to the heaviest animal by live weight in each group (ewes, wethers, rams, lambs). Do not underdose. A farmer has a flock of 50 sheep with weights ranging from 70 80 kg. How much of this drench should be administered to each sheep? A. 14 ml B. 15 ml C. 16 ml D. 17 ml 19 Which row of the table best describes the effect of each plant hormone? A. B. C. D. Ethylene Auxin Gibberellin Stimulates branching Stimulates ripening of fruit Stimulates root growth Stimulates ripening of fruit Stimulates germination of seeds Stimulates root growth Causes stunting of shoots Stimulates root growth Causes leaves to die and fall Causes stem elongation Stimulates branching Causes bud dormancy 8
20 Table 1: Energy required for maintenance Due to copyright restrictions, this material cannot be displayed until permission has been obtained. Table 2: Energy required to produce milk of various fat and protein compositions Due to copyright restrictions, this material cannot be displayed until permission has been obtained. A dairy cow weighing 650 kg is producing 45 L of milk per day with 3.8% fat and 3.4% protein. What is the energy requirement for this animal per day? A. 5.3 MJ B. 68 MJ C. 238.5 MJ D. 306.5 MJ 9
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HIGHER SCHOOL CERTIFICATE 2017 EXAMINATION Centre Number Agriculture Section I Part B Answer Booklet Student Number Do NOT write in this area. 60 marks Attempt Questions 21 27 Allow about 1 hour and 45 minutes for this part Instructions Write your Centre Number and Student Number at the top of this page. Answer the questions in the spaces provided. These spaces provide guidance for the expected length of response. Show all relevant working in questions involving calculations. Extra writing space is provided at the back of this booklet. If you use this space, clearly indicate which question you are answering. Please turn over 13 2001 15010 Office Use Only Do NOT write anything, or make any marks below this line. 6741310293
Question 21 (6 marks) (a) A trial investigating the effect of light on plant growth is to be conducted. 2 Outline TWO ways in which the conditions of the trial could be standardised. (b) Describe a trial that could be used to evaluate a new variety of a grain crop. In your answer, show how the trial demonstrates sound experimental design. 4 Do NOT write in this area. 14 Office Use Only Do NOT write anything, or make any marks below this line. 0730310295
Question 22 (7 marks) (a) Outline the beneficial roles played by microbes in soils. 3 Do NOT write in this area. (b) Explain how TWO soil management techniques can increase the population of microbes in the soil. 4 15 Office Use Only Do NOT write anything, or make any marks below this line. 8668310293
Question 23 (11 marks) (a) Name an agricultural plant and outline the phases of its growth. You may use a diagram to support your answer. 3 Name of agricultural plant... Do NOT write in this area. Question 23 continues on page 17 16 Office Use Only Do NOT write anything, or make any marks below this line. 5654310295
Question 23 (continued) (b) The graph shows the relationship between planting density and yield per hectare for a crop. 4 Yield per hectare Planting density Explain the reasons for the increase and decrease in yield per hectare shown in the graph. Do NOT write in this area. (c) Explain an advantage and a disadvantage of ONE method farmers can use to improve soil moisture. End of Question 23 17 Office Use Only Do NOT write anything, or make any marks below this line. 4 8839310293
Question 24 (11 marks) (a) Identify TWO factors that can affect the fertility of a farm animal. 2 (b) Explain how ONE management strategy that is used by farmers improves the reproductive performance of breeding stock. (c) Contrast TWO breeding systems that could be used in livestock production. 6 18 Office Use Only Do NOT write anything, or make any marks below this line. 3 2984310298 Do NOT write in this area.
Question 25 (6 marks) Evaluate an integrated pest management (IPM) program for a named plant OR animal pest/disease. 6 In your answer, refer to environmental impact, economic factors and resistance to pesticides. Name of pest/disease............... Do NOT write in this area.................................. 19 Office Use Only Do NOT write anything, or make any marks below this line. 1918310294
Question 26 (12 marks) Answer parts (a), (b) and (c) in relation to an identified farm product. Name of farm product... (a) Complete the diagram that illustrates a marketing chain for the product you have named. 2 Raw farm product Product purchased by consumers (b) Describe ways in which governments can influence the production OR marketing of the product you have named. 4 Do NOT write in this area. Question 26 continues on page 21 20 Office Use Only Do NOT write anything, or make any marks below this line. 7407310293
Question 26 (continued) (c) Explain how the named product can be value added. 6 Do NOT write in this area. End of Question 26 21 Office Use Only Do NOT write anything, or make any marks below this line. 4957310290
Question 27 (7 marks) (a) Information from a farmer s notebook is shown below. The farm carries 100 breeding cows on 175 hectares of land. 3 Complete the calculations to show variable costs, total gross margin and gross margin per hectare. Income Sale of 42 steers Sale of 19 heifers Sale of 15 adult cows $35 280 $12 920 $15 000 All costs Veterinary costs Tractor lease Fodder costs Pasture maintenance Land rates Selling costs Gross margin calculation Income Variable costs Total gross margin Gross margin per hectare $2 560 $7 500 $3 500 $10 000 $5 000 $5 500 $63 200......... Do NOT write in this area. Question 27 continues on page 23 22 Office Use Only Do NOT write anything, or make any marks below this line. 4792310297
Question 27 (continued) (b) The graphs show the trends in farm numbers and total production for an agricultural industry in Australia. 4 Number of farms Total production Years Years Explain how changes in farm business structures have led to the changes shown in the graphs. Do NOT write in this area. End of Question 27 23 Office Use Only Do NOT write anything, or make any marks below this line. 5461310291
Section I Part B extra writing space If you use this space, clearly indicate which question you are answering. Do NOT write in this area. 24 2017 NSW Education Standards Authority Office Use Only Do NOT write anything, or make any marks below this line. 9410310299
HIGHER SCHOOL CERTIFICATE 2017 EXAMINATION Agriculture Section II 20 marks Attempt ONE question from Questions 28 30 Allow about 45 minutes for this section Answer the question in the Section II Writing Booklet. Extra writing booklets are available. Your answers will be assessed on how well you: demonstrate knowledge and understanding relevant to the question communicate ideas and information using relevant examples present a logical and cohesive response Question 28 Agri-food, Fibre and Fuel Technologies (20 marks) Answer part (a) of the question on pages 2 4 of the Writing Booklet. (a) (i) Outline the importance of food safety and labelling in relation to the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). 3 (ii) Describe current developments in biotechnology with reference to TWO of the following. Biofuels Embryo splitting Biopesticides Gene markers 5 Answer part (b) of the question on pages 5 8 of the Writing Booklet. (b) Discuss the use of genetically modified crops in agricultural production. 12 OR Please turn over 2002 25
Question 29 Climate Challenge (20 marks) Answer part (a) of the question on pages 2 4 of the Writing Booklet. (a) (i) Explain how both nitrogen fertilisers AND ruminant animal production contribute to atmospheric greenhouse gas levels. (ii) What evidence is there to support the theory that increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are causing climate change? 4 4 Answer part (b) of the question on pages 5 8 of the Writing Booklet. (b) Discuss issues related to water storage and water trading that may affect Australian agriculture in a changing climate. 12 OR Question 30 Farming in the 21st Century (20 marks) Answer part (a) of the question on pages 2 4 of the Writing Booklet. (a) (i) Outline issues which need to be considered when developing a new farming technology. (ii) Describe methods that companies use to market new technological developments in agricultural industries. 4 4 Answer part (b) of the question on pages 5 8 of the Writing Booklet. (b) Discuss recent developments in specific satellite technologies that may assist in agricultural production. 12 End of paper 26 2017 NSW Education Standards Authority