2016
HIGHER SCHOOL CERTIFICATE
EXAMINATION
Agriculture
Total marks – 100
Section I
General Instructions
• Reading time – 5 minutes
• Working time – 3 hours
• Write using black pen
• Draw diagrams using pencil
• Board-approved calculators may
be used
• Write your Centre Number and
Student Number at the top of
pages 13, 15, 19, 21, 23 and 25
Pages 2–25
80 marks
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
Pages 27–28
20 marks
• Attempt ONE question from Questions 28–30
• Allow about 45 minutes for this section
2090
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
A portion of the instructions for usage of a pesticide is shown.
SAFETY DIRECTIONS
Product will irritate eyes and skin. Avoid contact with eyes
and skin. When preparing product for use, wear elbow
length PVC gloves and face shield or goggles. When
using a knapsack applicator wear waterproof clothing and
impervious footwear.
What pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) should be worn when preparing this
chemical?
(A) PVC gloves and a face shield
(B)
Rubber boots and PVC gloves
(C)
Waterproof overalls and PVC gloves
(D) Waterproof overalls and rubber boots
2
Which of the following is most suited to using native pasture species?
(A) Semi-arid plains used for wool production
(B)
A pasture ley phase on a wheat/sheep farm
(C)
High fertility irrigated soils used for dairy production
(D) High rainfall coastal areas used for beef cattle production
–2–
3
In the diagram, which phase or phases represent the reproductive stages of the plant?
Tillering
Stem extension
Heading
Ripening
Phase W
Phase X
Phase Y
Phase Z
(A) X only
(B)
Z only
(C)
X and Y
(D) Y and Z
4
What is the most effective way of managing riparian zones in order to improve water
quality?
(A) Applying fertiliser
(B)
Constructing dams
(C)
Clearing all vegetation
(D) Fencing to exclude livestock
–3–
5
The photo shows lumps on the root system of a legume plant.
Awaiting copyright
What is the most likely effect of these lumps on the growth of the plant?
(A) Increased growth because of increased water uptake
(B)
Decreased growth because of the presence of a disease
(C)
Increased growth because of an increase in available nutrients
(D) Decreased growth because of blockage of the root xylem vessels
6
Which of the following best describes the plant breeding technique known as selective
breeding?
(A) Crossing two existing varieties of a plant to produce a new variety
(B)
Crossing two different species of plants to produce a new plant type
(C)
Transferring a specific gene into a plant variety using laboratory techniques
(D) Retaining seeds from the best performing plants and using them to produce the next
generation of plants
–4–
7
The table shows the weights of a group of lambs.
Lamb
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Weight (kg)
16
16
16
18
18
18
19
16
18
15
What is the mean weight for this group of lambs?
(A) 16
(B)
17
(C)
18
(D) 19
8
Which of the following graphs shows the correct order of development of tissues during
an animal’s life?
(A)
(B)
Bone
Muscle
Fat
(C)
Bone
Fat
Bone
Fat
Muscle
(D)
Muscle
9
Muscle
Fat
Bone
Which of the following is NOT an indicator of water quality?
(A) pH
(B)
Turbidity
(C)
Temperature
(D) Dissolved oxygen level
–5–
10
Which of the following best describes the purpose of animal welfare legislation in animal
production systems?
(A) To ensure that farm animals have adequate food
(B)
To eliminate all sources of pain and suffering for animals
(C)
To promote the wellbeing of animals and prevent cruelty to them
(D) To prevent animal rights activists from interfering in farming activities
11
A student carried out the following procedure on a sample of dry soil.
1. Weighed the soil sample
2. Heated the sample at high temperature (400°C) in an oven for six hours
3. Re-weighed the sample
What characteristic of the soil was the student measuring?
(A) pH
(B)
Texture
(C)
Bulk density
(D) Organic matter content
12
Which of the following soil textural classes would be most likely to have the highest ion
exchange capacity?
(A) Loam
(B)
Clay loam
(C)
Sand
(D) Sandy loam
–6–
13
The diagram shows part of the nitrogen cycle.
Plant and animal
decomposition, manure
and urine
Plant
uptake
Soil organic
matter
(soil carbon)
Nitrogen gas
N2
X
Ammonia
NH4+
W
Nitrites
NO2–
Z
Y
Nitrates
NO3–
Which arrow in the diagram represents the process of nitrification?
(A) W
(B)
X
(C)
Y
(D) Z
14
Which graph most accurately shows a demand curve for an agricultural product?
(A)
(B)
Quantity
Quantity
Price
Price
(C)
(D)
Quantity
Quantity
Price
Price
–7–
15
A farm grows out 100 steers for a beef feedlot. An extract from its records is shown.
Purchase of steers
$40 000
Crop and pasture maintenance
$5000
Land rates
$5000
Cartage
$1000
Veterinary costs
$5000
Income from sale of steers
$76 000
What is the gross margin per steer?
(A) $200
(B)
$250
(C)
$710
(D) $760
16
Net assimilation rate (NAR) is an important measure of the rate of plant growth.
It is determined by calculating the balance between
(A) respiration and germination.
(B)
respiration and transpiration.
(C)
photosynthesis and respiration.
(D) photosynthesis and germination.
17
What is the name of the hormone that promotes development of the lining of the uterus
in mammals?
(A) Oxytocin
(B)
Oestrogen
(C)
Luteinising hormone
(D) Follicle stimulating hormone
–8–
18
The table shows the estimated breeding values (EBVs) of four bulls.
Estimated breeding values of bulls
Bull
Birthweight
400 day
weight
(kg)
Eye muscle
area
(cm2)
Rump fat
(kg)
200 day
weight
(kg)
W
+18
+50
+180
+9
+1
X
+3
+60
+30
–6
+6
Y
–2
+60
+180
+6
+3
Z
–8
–18
–6
–2
+8
(mm)
Which of the bulls would be most suited to use as a sire on heifers in a herd which
supplies steers to a feedlot?
(A) W
(B)
X
(C)
Y
(D) Z
19
Which row in the table correctly describes microbes involved in ruminant digestion?
Types of microbes
present in the rumen
Functions of microbes
Location of microbes
(A)
Fungi and protozoa
Utilise non-protein nitrogen
Rumen only
(B)
Bacteria and protozoa
Synthesise vitamin B
Rumen and reticulum
(C)
Protozoa and helminths
Digest cellulose
Rumen and omasum
(D)
Bacteria and fungi
Synthesise vitamin C
Rumen and abomasum
–9–
A vegetable grower has a number of strategies available to control a pest in a crop of
cucumbers. The following information is provided to her by an agronomist.
250
Yield of cucumbers
(boxes/Ha)
20
200
150
100
50
0
2
4
6
8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30
Pest population
(moths per trap per day)
Strategies available
to the farmer
Effect on the pest
population
Cost of the treatment
($/Ha)
Nil
0
Pest oil
30% kill
200
Soft insecticide
80% kill
600
Hard insecticide
100% kill
1200
Pest population
(moths/trap)
Cucumber quality
Market price/box
($)
<4
Premium
8
4–18
Good
6
>18
Poor
4
No treatment
The farmer measured the pest population in the cucumber crop at 25 moths per trap.
Which of the strategies would be the most profitable to use on the cucumber crop?
(A) No treatment
(B)
Pest oil
(C)
Soft insecticide
(D) Hard insecticide
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© 2016 Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards NSW
2016 HIGHER SCHOOL CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION
Agriculture
Centre Number
Section I (continued)
Part B – 60 marks
Attempt Questions 21–27
Allow about 1 hour and 45 minutes for this part
Student Number
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.
Question 21 (6 marks)
The table shows the nutritional analysis of two livestock feeds.
(a)
Feed A
Feed B
Energy content (MJ/kg)
10
10
Protein (%)
15
18
Fibre (%)
12
3
Fat (%)
0
3
Explain why Feed A would be more suitable than Feed B for feeding ruminant
animals.
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(b)
For a named farm animal, explain why protein requirements are different at
TWO different stages of the animal’s life.
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Question 22 (7 marks)
(a)
Describe TWO techniques that farmers can use to improve or maintain soil
organic matter (soil carbon) levels.
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(b)
Name and describe a program where government and community groups work
together to protect soils and/or water resources.
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© 2016 Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards NSW
3
2016 HIGHER SCHOOL CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION
Agriculture
Centre Number
Section I — Part B (continued)
Student Number
Question 23 (10 marks)
Please turn over
2092
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Question 23 (10 marks)
A trial was conducted to investigate the effect of day length on the growth of meat
chickens. The features of this experiment are listed below.
• Four similar sheds each housing 5000 chickens were used.
• Each shed received a different number of hours of light per day by using electric
lights.
• The industry standard stocking rate of 30 kg/m2 was used in each shed.
• Chickens in each shed received the same diet.
• After 48 days 100 chickens in each shed were randomly selected and weighed.
• The industry standard for day length was chosen as one of the treatments.
The results of the trial are shown in the table.
(a)
Day length
(hours)
Average weight
(kg)
14
3.2
17
3.5
20
3.5
23
3.1
Use the grid to construct a graph that represents the results of the trial.
Question 23 continues on page 17
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3
Question 23 (continued)
(b)
Identify the FOUR features of the trial that contributed to the standardisation of
conditions.
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(c)
Based on the trial outlined, propose a day length that could be recommended to
chicken meat producers AND justify your choice.
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End of Question 23
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© 2016 Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards NSW
2016 HIGHER SCHOOL CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION
Agriculture
Centre Number
Section I — Part B (continued)
Student Number
Question 24 (11 marks)
(a)
Identify sources of competition in crops.
2
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(b)
Explain how a management strategy reduces competition in crops.
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Question 24 continues on page 20
2093
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3
Question 24 (continued)
(c)
Explain how farmers can manage plant production systems to maximise
photosynthesis. In your answer, give specific examples.
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End of Question 24
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© 2016 Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards NSW
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2016 HIGHER SCHOOL CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION
Agriculture
Centre Number
Section I — Part B (continued)
Student Number
Question 25 (6 marks)
For a named animal production system, describe ways that stress and/or harm to
animals is minimised when performing TWO animal husbandry practices.
Name of animal production system .........................................................................
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© 2016 Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards NSW
2016 HIGHER SCHOOL CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION
Agriculture
Centre Number
Section I — Part B (continued)
Student Number
Question 26 (12 marks)
Answer parts (a), (b) and (c) in relation to an identified farm product.
Name of farm product ..............................................................................................
(a)
Outline an advertising or promotional campaign that is aimed at increasing
consumption of this farm product.
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(b)
Explain the purpose of TWO named market specifications for this product.
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Question 26 continues on page 24
2095
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4
Question 26 (continued)
(c)
Explain how TWO management strategies can be used to improve the quality of
this farm product.
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End of Question 26
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© 2016 Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards NSW
6
2016 HIGHER SCHOOL CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION
Agriculture
Centre Number
Section I — Part B (continued)
Student Number
Question 27 (8 marks)
(a)
What are the benefits of vertical integration in the production and marketing of
agricultural products? In your answer, provide an example.
4
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(b)
Explain how an increase in demand for a farm product may affect financial
decisions made by farmers.
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© 2016 Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards NSW
2016 HIGHER SCHOOL CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION
Agriculture
Section II
20 marks
Attempt ONE question from Questions 28–30
Allow about 45 minutes for this section
Answer part (a) of the question in a writing booklet
Answer part (b) of the question in a SEPARATE 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 in a writing booklet.
(a)
(i)
Why is research required when developing agricultural biotechnologies?
3
(ii)
Explain how the design of a trial into the development or implementation
of an agricultural biotechnology led to reliable results being obtained.
5
Answer part (b) of the question in a SEPARATE writing booklet.
(b)
Discuss the production and use of biofuels as alternatives to fossil fuels.
OR
Please turn over
2097
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12
Question 29 — Climate Challenge (20 marks)
Answer part (a) of the question in a writing booklet.
(a)
(i)
Why is research required when developing management strategies to
cope with a changing climate?
3
(ii)
Explain how the design of a trial into either climate variability or
management strategies related to climate variability led to reliable
results being obtained.
5
Answer part (b) of the question in a SEPARATE writing booklet.
(b)
Discuss the effects of farming activities on the levels of greenhouse gases in the
atmosphere.
12
OR
Question 30 — Farming in the 21st Century (20 marks)
Answer part (a) of the question in a writing booklet.
(a)
(i)
Why is research required when developing new agricultural technologies?
3
(ii)
Explain how the design of a trial into the development and/or
implementation of an agricultural technology led to reliable results being
obtained.
5
Answer part (b) of the question in a SEPARATE writing booklet.
(b)
Discuss a robotic technological development that is available for use in
Australian agriculture.
End of paper
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© 2016 Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards NSW
12