NCEA Level 1 Agricultural Science (90155) 2007 — page 1 of 7
Assessment Schedule – 2007
Agricultural Science: Describe management practices used in pasture / crop production
(90155)
Evidence Statement
Q
One
(a)
(i)
Evidence
How New Zealand’s pasture-based
production system lowers the cost of
farming:
eg
Achievement
Achievement with
Merit
Describes ONE
aspect of pasture
that lowers the cost
of production.
 Pasture has a lower unit cost
compared to other feeds eg
supplements.
 Can be feed in situ therefore no
costs of carting, storing or housing.
 Pasture is a perennial crop;
therefore costs associated with crop
establishment are reduced.
CODE
(ii)
How lower production costs allow NZ
farmers to compete in the international
marketplace:
A1
 Because of NZ’s lower production
costs we can accept lower prices for
our products and still be profitable.
Links how ONE low
cost aspect of
production allows
NZ to compete in
international
markets.
 New Zealand producers need to ship
primary products long distances, the
cost of which needs to be
incorporated when selling overseas.
CODE
M1
Achievement with
Excellence
NCEA Level 1 Agricultural Science (90155) 2007 — page 2 of 7
One
(b)
(i)
How pasture improves soil fertility:
 Pasture contains clovers which fix
nitrogen / nitrate from the air.
 Grazing animals return nutrients to
the soil through dung and urine
excretion.
Describes one
aspect of pasture
that improves soil
fertility.
 Decaying plant material increases
soil organic matter.
 Topdressing of pasture supplies
nutrients.
CODE
(ii)
How farmers benefit from improved soil
fertility:
Links increase in soil fertility to
increased pasture production allowing
increased animal production / financial
returns or costs.
eg
1. Annual pasture production is
increased resulting in increased milk /
meat / venison production therefore
more product for sale and more
financial returns.
2. With increased nitrogen levels (as
nitrate) in the soil, farmers do not have
to rely on expensive nitrogen-based
fertilisers to maintain productivity.
CODE
A1
Explains how
increased soil
fertility benefits NZ
farmers.
M1
NCEA Level 1 Agricultural Science (90155) 2007 — page 3 of 7
Q
One
(c)
(i)
Evidence
Disadvantages of pasture as principal
feed source:
Achievement
Achievement with
Merit
Describes ONE
disadvantage.
 Variation in pasture growth-rates
throughout the year.
 Pasture quality varies throughout the
year.
 Diseases caused by grazing
pasture, eg footrot / bloat/ facial
eczema.
 Stock are always outdoors and are
exposed to adverse weather
conditions.
CODE
(ii)
How this disadvantage decreases
farmers’ financial returns:
 The requirement to feed out
supplements incurs additional costs
eg machinery / labour / purchasing
feed/ sowing fodder crops.
A1
Explains how the
selected
disadvantage
decreases financial
returns.
 Decreased quality decreases energy
/ protein values, this decreases
animal production therefore
decrease in financial returns /
money.
 Cost from treating (medicines /
labour) and preventing sickness in
animals eg bloat – cost of prevention
and financial loses due to death of
animal.
 Higher energy expenditure to keep
warm (alive) therefore lower
production rates / increased death
rates, therefore decrease in financial
returns.
CODE
M1
Achievement with
Excellence
NCEA Level 1 Agricultural Science (90155) 2007 — page 4 of 7
Two
(a)
Descriptions and explanations:
Management practices that impact on
the seedbed being fine, firm, weedfree,
moist, warm and level include:
Cultivation
Conventional cultivation:
Describes a
management
practices that is
required to prepare
a suitable seedbed.
Explains how the
management
practice produces
suitable seedbed
conditions.
 Breaks up soil aggregates into a fine
soil structure allowing contact
between soils and seed.
 Firming of the seedbed so that the
seed is not buried too deep.
Spraying with herbicides:
 Produces a weedfree non
competitive seedbed environment.
Sub surface drainage / spray irrigation:
 Maintains optimum seedbed
moisture levels, ensuring a warm
moist environment for germination.
CODE
2 X A2
2 X M2
NCEA Level 1 Agricultural Science (90155) 2007 — page 5 of 7
Q
Two
(b)
(i)
Evidence
Achievement
Management practices to prevent the
spread of broadleaf weeds:
eg
 Dig out the isolated weeds by hand.
 Spot spray weeds with a herbicide /
chemical using a backpack sprayer.
Achievement with
Merit
Describes ONE
plausible
management
practice of weed
control.
 Graze with stock that will not carry
the seed in their fleece.
 Increase stocking rate by mob
stocking / grazing.
CODE
(ii)
A2
How preventing the spread of broadleaf
weeds would improve pasture growth:
Explains how
reduced
competition allows
more inputs
required for plant
processes, thereby
increasing yield.
 Competition from weeds for nutrients
/ light / water limits the growth rate of
pasture.
eg Without competition, all pasture
plants will have light for photosynthesis,
therefore increasing pasture growth.
CODE
(c)
(i)
Topping:
eg
 Pasture is cut using a mower at an
elevated cutting height.
 Cutting off the seedheads using a
mower.
CODE
(ii)
How topping increases milk production:
Encourages leaf growth (high protein),
reduces the stem (higher digestibility);
therefore more nutrients for improved
milk production.
CODE
M2
Describes a
method used to
top.
A2
Correct
explanation.
M2
Achievement with
Excellence
NCEA Level 1 Agricultural Science (90155) 2007 — page 6 of 7
Q
Three
Evidence
Achievement
Option that will maximise the farmer’s
financial returns:
Reducing stock numbers by selling
some young stock
eg
Pros: More market opportunities for
young stock, for example selling to
farmers to fatten therefore increasing
financial returns. The farmer can sell
poor genetic stock.
Describes what is
involved in the
selected
management
practice.
Achievement with
Merit
Achievement with
Excellence
Explains how the
selected
management
practice can
maximise financial
returns.
Justifies the
selected
management
practice by
explaining why it is
a better option
than the others
being considered.
Critical thinking
drives the award of
excellence and
must consider the
development of
new pasture.
Cons: Young stock cause less damage
to developing pasture because they are
lighter. The farmer would be selling off
replacement stock and possibly losing
favourable genetics.
Selling breeding cows in calf
eg
Pros: Selling of heavier stock reducing
pugging and pasture damage.
Decreases stock units as one cow is
equivalent to four / five calves
(depending on breed)
Cons: Less productive base as farmer
only has 2-year-old cows as
replacements.
Buying in more feed
eg
Pros: Don’t lose genetic base in stock.
Cons: Logistics of feeding out
(machinery).
Hay and silage is not high enough in
nutritive value to grow out young stock.
Availability of feed.
Cost of feed.
Other factors that could be
considered
What finance is available to the farmer?
What machinery is available to feed
silage?
Feed storage.
Availability of breeding records.
CODE
A2
M2
E
NCEA Level 1 Agricultural Science (90155) 2007 — page 7 of 7
Judgement Statement
Achievement
Achievement with Merit
Achievement with Excellence
Achievement plus
Merit plus
2  A1
2  M1
2  A2
2  M2
1E