NCEA Level 1 Agricultural Science (90154) 2008 — page 1 of 5
Assessment Schedule – 2008
Agricultural Science: Describe livestock management and livestock physiology
important to this management (90154)
Evidence Statement
Q
Evidence
Code
Achievement
Achievement
with Merit
ONE
(a)
(i)
Descriptions could include:
 Microbes – bacteria / protozoa are
present (in huge numbers) to break
down plant material.
 Presence of a muscular wall to mix
rumen contents.
2  A1 Describes
ONE feature
that assists
digestion.
There are two
opportunities.
 Reflux action allows for regurgitation
and breakdown in particle size.
 Warm, anaerobic conditions in the
rumen assist microbial digestion.
(ii)
Papillae development increases the
surface area through which broken-down
end-products such as volatile fatty acids
(VFAs) are absorbed into the bloodstream.
If calves can digest pasture immediately
(when introduced to it), they will have a
higher energy intake and growth rate.
M1
Explains how
increased
surface area
leads to rapid
absorption and
weight gain
Or that the
faster papillae
develop, the
sooner they can
absorb VFAs
Papillae absorb the VFAs, so the faster
they develop, the more they absorb.
(b)
(i)
Saliva is produced by the salivary glands
in the mouth.
A1
Describes
where saliva is
produced.
(ii)
Saliva is alkaline and buffers the fatty acids
produced by microbial fermentation in the
rumen, maintaining a neutral pH. If saliva is
not produced in required amounts, the
microbes will be killed off by the acidic
conditions.
M1
Evidence for
(b) (i) if
required for
award of A1.
Explains the pHbuffering ability
of saliva.
Must say
enzymes and
not bacteria
Or saliva contains enzymes that start
digesting the food
(c)
(i)
Shearing the woolly ram before mating will
ensure the ram can keep his testes cooler
than body temperature. If this difference is
not maintained, some sperm will be
rendered infertile.
A1
OR
M1
Describes that
shearing the
ram will lower
the
temperature of
the testes.
Explains how
the production
of fertile sperm
is directly
related to the
temperature of
the sperm. If too
warm, they will
die
(ii)
A lump on the vas deferens indicates a
blockage, which interferes with the
passage of semen. A total blockage will
render the ram infertile. A partial block will
A1
OR
M1
Describes the
blockage of
sperm / semen
production or
Explains how
the passage of
fertile sperm is
adversely
Achievement
with Excellence
NCEA Level 1 Agricultural Science (90154) 2008 — page 2 of 5
reduce sperm numbers in the semen.
Q
Evidence
partial
blockage
Code
Achievement
Pasture has a higher food value because:
 pasture has higher protein
 pasture has higher carbohydrates
 pasture has lower lignin
 pasture has higher digestibility.
A2
Describes
TWO features
Example
M2
affected, and
links to fertility
Achievement
with Merit
Achievement
with Excellence
TWO
(a)
(i)
(ii)
More nutrients
is not sufficient
Explains that
foetal growth is
not a priority
during the midpregnancy
period.
 A period of weight loss in midpregnancy is beneficial to cows
because it restricts foetal growth and
thereby avoids calving difficulties.
 Barley straw is a cheap source of food
and has filling capacity. Digestion of
barley straw generates heat during
colder periods.
(b)
(i)
Punnett square:
A
a
A
AA
Aa
a
Aa
aa
Or that straw
fills the cows up
or keeps them
warm during
winter
A2
Correct
Punnett
square or
identifies 100
cows.
Alleles can be
identified using
any letter or
label, eg A / a
or A1 / A2.
A2
OR
M2
Describes how
identifying the
bulls as
homozygous
for A2 can
help increase
the number of
A2-producing
calves.
Explains how
bulls
homozygous for
A2 can help
produce many
calves to
increase A2 milk
production.
A2
OR
M2
OR
E
Describes
ONE practice,
eg a reduced
stocking rate
will ease the
pressure on
pasture growth
As for
Achievement
plus:
The remaining
ewes will be
those in better
condition and
100 cows
(ii)
Example
 Homozygous-recessive bulls, when
used extensively in AI programmes, will
rapidly cause the production of twice as
many calves that are producers of A2
milk.
(c)
Example
Reducing the stocking rate is the most
recommended management practice, as it
will ease the pressure on pasture growth. If
ewes are not provided with sufficient highquality feed, then lambing percentages will
be lower the following year, which will
Justifies the
selected option by
explaining why it
is superior to the
other option. The
advantages of a
candidate’s
NCEA Level 1 Agricultural Science (90154) 2008 — page 3 of 5
impact on farmers’ returns.
Reducing the stocking rate is a better
option than buying-in supplementary feed
as the drought is widespread, leaving
many farmers requiring feed, thus driving
the price upwards. As farmers’ finances will
already be stretched, it is not a suitable
option.
and allow
remaining
animals to
have sufficient
feed.
they will have
adequate feed
to flush them,
increasing the
ovulation rates.
selected option
need to be
provided as a
comparison
against ONE of
the other
management
practices.
NCEA Level 1 Agricultural Science (90154) 2008 — page 4 of 5
Q
Two
(d)
(i)
Code
Achievement
A2
Describes TWO
actions.
Vaccinations raise an animal’s antibody
levels, meaning that the animal is
protected from the damaging effects of
infectious agents such as bacteria, as their
immunity is increased.
A2
OR
M2
Describes how
vaccinations
provide
protection and
increase
antibodies
or the ability to
ward off
disease
/immunity.
Example
Buying cows from Taranaki is the most
recommended management practice
because the culls from a high-producing
herd could be better than the top cows in a
poorer herd.
Despite the transport costs, the ability to
buy 600 cows for a budgeted amount will
allow for full utilisation of facilities and
acceptable production levels. In a short
time AI and culling could lift production.
Cull cows that have health problems
present a significant risk. It may be
possible to correct the problems by better
management at mating and calving, and
better hygiene in the shed. However, if
disease problems occur, cow resistance is
low and will impact on cow well-being and
production.
M2
OR
E
Evidence
Safe and correct actions include:
 Restraining the animal so that its head
is held in a steady position
 Raising the skin and inserting the
needle beneath the skin
 Vaccinate in the neck
 Using sharp needles that have been
sterilised
 Vaccinating when the animals are dry
Achievement
with Merit
Achievement
with Excellence
 Pack tightly in the race to stop
movement
 Change the needle regularly
 Vaccinate to the heaviest animals.
The following are too vague or not done
by most farmers:
 Vaccinate in the correct place
 Wear safety clothing.
(ii)
Explains the link
between
elevated levels
of antibodies
and the ability to
ward off
disease.
To get M2 must
mention
antibodies and
immunity or
words to that
effect
THREE
Explains how
the selected
option impacts
on production
levels.
Justifies the
selected option
by explaining
why it is better
compared with
ONE of the other
management
practices.
NCEA Level 1 Agricultural Science (90154) 2008 — page 5 of 5
Judgement Statement – 2008
Agricultural Science: Describe livestock management and livestock physiology important to this
management (90154)
Achievement
2  any A1 / M1
Achievement with Merit
2  M1
2  any A2 / M2
Achievement with Excellence
1E
2  M1
plus
1  M2
1 other A1 / M1
plus
2  M2
4 other A1 / A2 / M1 / M2 / E
plus
2 other A2 / M2
Grades in brackets eg (A2) (E2) signal that evidence for another question in the paper has been
recognised.