HIGHER

SCHOOL
2017 CERTIFICATE
EXAMINATION

Agriculture

General Reading time 5 minutes

Instructions Working time 3 hours
Write using black pen
Draw diagrams using pencil
NESA approved calculators may be used

Total marks: Section I 80 marks (pages 224)

100 This section has two parts, Part A and Part B
Part A 20 marks
Attempt Questions 120
Allow about 30 minutes for this part
Part B 60 marks
Attempt Questions 2127
Allow about 1 hour and 45 minutes for this part

Section II 20 marks (pages 2526)

Attempt ONE question from Questions 2830
Allow about 45 minutes for this section

2000
Section I
80 marks

Part A 20 marks
Attempt Questions 120
Allow about 30 minutes for this part

Use the multiple-choice answer sheet for Questions 120.

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 Clearing of trees and cultivation of the soil

X Burning vegetation to stimulate new growth

Y Planting crops with minimal soil disturbance

Z 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

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

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.

Growth curves for prime lambs

25 KEY
Farm 1 average
20
Weight (kg)

Regional average
15 Farm 2 average

10

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

11 The diagrams show parts of a ruminant digestive system and the digestive system of a
pig.

Rumen

Reticulum

Omasum

Abomasum

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.

13 What does this table represent?

Weight range Live weight price Carcase price Estimated value

(kg) (c/kg) (c/kg) ($/head)
0200 385 700 693
200280 382 696 1053
280300 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 Variety B

Inbred for 710 generations Inbred for 710 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

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 Injection
day of of
schedule hormone Injected females
show signs of
oestrus 14 days
after injection

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
days

Insemination of females
in oestrus

Which hormone is injected at day 5?

A. Oxytocin
B. Progesterone
C. Prostaglandin
D. Follicle stimulating hormone

18 A portion of the label for a drench used to treat internal parasites in sheep is shown.

Live weight Dose

5660 kg 12 mL
6165 kg 13 mL
6670 kg 14 mL
7175 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 7080 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?

Ethylene Auxin Gibberellin

Stimulates Causes leaves to die
A. Stimulates branching
germination of seeds and fall
Stimulates ripening Stimulates root Causes stem
B.
of fruit growth elongation
Stimulates root Causes stunting of
C. Stimulates branching
growth shoots
Stimulates ripening Stimulates root
D. Causes bud dormancy
of fruit growth

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

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2017 NSW Education Standards Authority

 HIGHER SCHOOL CERTIFICATE
2017
EXAMINATION

Centre Number

Agriculture
Student Number
Section I Part B
Answer Booklet

60 marks
Attempt Questions 2127
Allow about 1 hour and 45 minutes for this part
Do NOT write in this area.

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

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Office Use Only Do NOT write anything, or make any marks below this line.
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2001 15010
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.

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(b) Describe a trial that could be used to evaluate a new variety of a grain crop. In 4

your answer, show how the trial demonstrates sound experimental design.

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 Question 22 (7 marks)

(a) Outline the beneficial roles played by microbes in soils. 3

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(b) Explain how TWO soil management techniques can increase the population of 4

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microbes in the soil.

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Question 23 (11 marks)

(a) Name an agricultural plant and outline the phases of its growth. You may use a 3
diagram to support your answer.

Name of agricultural plant ..............................................................................

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 Question 23 (continued)

(b) The graph shows the relationship between planting density and yield per hectare 4
for a crop.

Yield per hectare

Planting density
Explain the reasons for the increase and decrease in yield per hectare shown in
the graph.
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(c) Explain an advantage and a disadvantage of ONE method farmers can use to 4

improve soil moisture.

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Question 24 (11 marks)

(a) Identify TWO factors that can affect the fertility of a farm animal. 2
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(b) Explain how ONE management strategy that is used by farmers improves the 3
reproductive performance of breeding stock.
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(c) Contrast TWO breeding systems that could be used in livestock production. 6
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 Question 25 (6 marks)

Evaluate an integrated pest management (IPM) program for a named plant OR animal
6
pest/disease.

In your answer, refer to environmental impact, economic factors and resistance to

pesticides.

Name of pest/disease ................................................................................................

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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 2
named.

Product
Raw farm
purchased by
product
consumers

(b) Describe ways in which governments can influence the production OR 4

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marketing of the product you have named.

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Question 26 continues on page 21

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 Question 26 (continued)

(c) Explain how the named product can be value added. 6

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Question 27 (7 marks)

(a) Information from a farmers notebook is shown below. The farm carries 100 3
breeding cows on 175 hectares of land.

Complete the calculations to show variable costs, total gross margin and gross

margin per hectare.

Income
Sale of 42 steers $35 280
Sale of 19 heifers $12 920
Sale of 15 adult cows $15 000

All costs
Veterinary costs $2 560

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Tractor lease $7 500
Fodder costs $3 500
Pasture maintenance $10 000
Land rates $5 000
Selling costs $5 500

Gross margin calculation

Income $63 200

Variable costs ........................

Total gross margin ........................

Gross margin per hectare ........................

Question 27 continues on page 23

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 Question 27 (continued)

(b) The graphs show the trends in farm numbers and total production for an 4
agricultural industry in Australia.
Number of farms

Total production
Years Years

Explain how changes in farm business structures have led to the changes shown
in the graphs.

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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 2830
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 24 of the Writing Booklet.

(a) (i) Outline the importance of food safety and labelling in relation to the use 3
of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

(ii) Describe current developments in biotechnology with reference to TWO 5

of the following.
Biofuels
Embryo splitting
Biopesticides
Gene markers

Answer part (b) of the question on pages 58 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 24 of the Writing Booklet.

(a) (i) Explain how both nitrogen fertilisers AND ruminant animal production 4
contribute to atmospheric greenhouse gas levels.

(ii) What evidence is there to support the theory that increased greenhouse 4
gases in the atmosphere are causing climate change?

Answer part (b) of the question on pages 58 of the Writing Booklet.

(b) Discuss issues related to water storage and water trading that may affect 12
Australian agriculture in a changing climate.

OR

Question 30 Farming in the 21st Century (20 marks)

Answer part (a) of the question on pages 24 of the Writing Booklet.

(a) (i) Outline issues which need to be considered when developing a new 4
farming technology.

(ii) Describe methods that companies use to market new technological 4

developments in agricultural industries.

Answer part (b) of the question on pages 58 of the Writing Booklet.

(b) Discuss recent developments in specific satellite technologies that may assist in 12
agricultural production.

End of paper

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2017 NSW Education Standards Authority