NCEA Level 2 Agricultural and Horticultural Science (90454) 2009 — page 1 of 6
Assessment Schedule – 2009
Agricultural and Horticultural Science: Describe manipulations to influence growth and
development, and productivity, in livestock or plants (90454)
SECTION A: AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE
Evidence Statement
Q
Achievement
with Merit
Achievement
Achievement
with Excellence
ONE
(a)
Describes:
Explains:
 sheep breed, Rom x Rom, as a
factor that slows growth rate
 Romneys are a late- maturing
breed, meaning that they are
slower growing and take time to
deposit required fat on carcass.
 steep hill country as a factor
that influences growth rate
 low rainfall, resulting in feed
limitations in mid-summer.
Describes TWO physical factors
relating to either breed or
conditions.
A1
 Steep hill country is likely to be
cold around lambing time, and
significant energy is required by
ewe and lamb to keep warm or
forage for feed – less energy
for growth.
 Low rainfall means less pasture
growth, and what pasture does
grow will be of reduced quality,
due to seed head production.
Provides an explanation of how
either the breed of sheep or a
specified physical condition
influences the ability to finish all
sheep before Christmas.
M1
(b)
The drafter would target the loin
region on the back of the lamb.
Additionally, the drafter would
feel for fat cover at the twelfth rib
region, or the nick in the area
where the tail is joined to the
body.
Evidence from any part of the
answer used when describing a
part of the body used to assess
fat cover.
A2
Drafter would assess fat cover by
feeling the loin area or nick in the
tail region to determine the fat
level of all lambs. The loin area is
a later-developing part of the
body, and fat in this area
indicates fat levels overall.
Also, lambs of different breeds
and sex may be of similar
liveweight but have different fat
covers. Liveweight can be
visually assessed based on size,
but in cases where lambs are on
the borderline between two
processing grades, the drafter
will physically lift lambs to gain a
more accurate indication of
liveweight and therefore carcass
weight. Lambs meeting the
criteria would be identified by a
raddle mark on the head region.
Evidence from any part of the
answer to explain how fat cover
and liveweight can be assessed
with reasonable accuracy.
M2
Use of the commercial drafter will
give a more reliable estimate of
fat cover than the act of weighing
the lamb. While increasing
liveweight is generally associated
with increased fat cover, there
are exceptions to this rule,
depending on sex of lamb. The
liveweight requirement is an
approximate one, and given the
thousands of lambs drafted by
commercial drafters, they have a
good idea of liveweight. Weighing
may not be possible, and even if
it is, the need to frequently weigh
lambs will take time, given
mustering difficulties associated
with hill properties.
Justifies the use of the
commercial drafter in terms of
costs, accuracy, and
manageability.
E
NCEA Level 2 Agricultural and Horticultural Science (90454) 2009 — page 2 of 6
Q
Achievement
with Merit
Achievement
Achievement
with Excellence
TWO
(a)
Describes:
 the relatively high growth rates
(1kg / day under good
conditions) of Friesian cattle.
 sex of the animal, a bull, as a
factor that minimises fat
deposition and maximises
muscle in growing animals.
Describes the growth rates and
tissue development of Friesian
cattle.
Explanation refers to the ability
of Friesian bulls to grow quickly,
diverting energy into growth
rather than fat deposits. This
produces the lean, heavy
carcasses favoured by meat
processors for the export
processed beef markets.
Provides an explanation of how
either the fast growth rates, sex,
or breed characteristics produce
the large, low-fat carcass
required.
A1
M1
(b)
Description of practices include:
 Grain, preferably crushed,
would be fed in some form of
trough to minimise waste, while
silage would be provided in one
of several forms – balage rolled
down a hill, or pit silage
distributed by wagon onto
pasture.
Explains how a practice
influences growth / development
and productivity.
 Grain feeding plus silage allows
for a high intake of digestible
energy, and when combined
with relatively high protein
levels, promotes fast growth
and turnover.
 Drenching, using internal or
external application devices,
carried out in drafting race of
cattle yards.
 Drenching may be necessary to
maintain a low level of internal
parasites, resulting in all the
digestible feed being available
for fast growth rates.
 Rotational grazing on hill
country may involve the use of
electric fences to restrict stock if
close to power supply. The use
of large numbers of cattle on
smaller paddocks could be
another option.
Evidence from any part of the
answer used when describing
how a selected practice is carried
out.
 Rotational grazing on leafy
pasture ensures a high intake
of energy and protein vital for
fast growth. Parasite levels
should be minimal, as will be
the costs of operating a
rotational grazing system.
Evidence from any part of the
answer to explain how the
selected practice aids growth
rates.
A2
M2
Justification of rotational
grazing over grain / silage
feeding.
Example:
Fast growth rates are dependent
on a high intake of energy and
protein being available for body
processes such as growth. While
both practices will provide similar
levels of nutrients, the cost of
doing so is significantly different.
Grain feeding will require higher
capital and ongoing costs, while
silage production also incurs
significant costs. In contrast,
pasture (a perennial crop) can be
produced at a lower cost, while
the grazing by cattle means that
costs apart from time are
minimal. Having sufficient
pasture to graze all year round
could pose a difficulty, unlike the
reliable supply of grain.
Justification of selected practice
provides an explanation of how
the practice produces fast growth
at a lower cost.
E
NCEA Level 2 Agricultural and Horticultural Science (90454) 2009 — page 3 of 6
Q
Achievement
with Merit
Achievement
Achievement
with Excellence
THREE
(a)
Description of factors affecting
birth weight:
 the number of offspring – single
/ twin / triplet
 the nutrition of the ewe during
the latter stages of pregnancy
 the age of the ewe giving birth.
Describes TWO factors
influencing lamb birth weights.
A1
(b)
Explanation
Example:
Three lambs will compete for
nutrients available from the ewe,
resulting in reduced nutrients for
each lamb and a lower birth
weight.
Provides an explanation of how
one factor described produces
variation in birth weight.
M1
Description of practices
includes:
 In mid-pregnancy, June
onwards, heifers are moved to
hill paddocks at a stocking rate
that allows for just-above
maintenance requirements.
 Purchase and use bulls from
stud breeders who record birth
weights and calving difficulties
and sell bulls with recorded
values for calf birth liveweight.
Evidence from any part of the
answer to describe how a
selected practice is carried out.
A2
Explanation of how
management practice influences
birth weight.
 Wintering on hill block will
increase maintenance
requirements and restrict
energy available for foetal
growth, thereby restricting birth
liveweight and reducing
potential calving difficulties.
 Using bulls with low BVs
(breeding values) for calf
birthweight will assist in making
calving easier for heifers that
have a smaller pelvic cavity in
relation to older cows. This is
predetermined by genetics and
does not require monitoring by
farmers.
Evidence from any part of the
answer to explain how the
selected practice limits calf birth
weights.
M2
Justification of mating heifers
that have low BVs for calf
birthweight.
Example:
Heifers have not reached mature
size, and their pelvic cavity is
proportionately smaller and partly
responsible for difficulties when
calving. Restricting calf size is
essential to reduce this problem,
and can be achieved by the use
of bulls whose genetic influence
is to produce smaller calves. This
effect can be influenced by the
choice of bull at mating, and
reduces the requirement and
difficulties associated with
monitoring heifer liveweight gains
and calving on a hill country
property.
Wintering in-calf heifers on the
hills will result in regular exercise
that utilises any excess feed
levels, and restricts foetal growth.
It will also increase muscular
development and fitness
necessary when calving. This will
require monitoring, such as
moving stock, and the fact
remains that heifers mated to a
low BV bull will also be on the
hills gaining similar benefits.
Justification of selected practice
provides an explanation of how
the practice is a more practical
and effective practice at avoiding
calving.
E
Judgement Statement
Achievement
2 A1 / M1
2 A2 / M2
Achievement with Merit
Achievement with Excellence
2 M1
2 M2
Merit + 1 E
NCEA Level 2 Agricultural and Horticultural Science (90454) 2009 — page 4 of 6
SECTION B: HORTICULTURAL SCIENCE
Evidence Statement
Q
Achievement
Achievement with Merit
Achievement with Excellence
ONE
(a)
A1
or
M1
Describes ONE effect that a
cultivar can have on the tree or
crop.
Examples:
Explains how the cultivar
produces the effect on the tree or
crop.
Examples:
 The cultivar of the rootstock
used for grafting can produce
dwarfing effect on the tree,
resulting in small physical size.
 The dwarfing effect of the
cultivar means that the plant
puts more of its resources into
producing fruit than vegetative
growth.
 The cultivar can affect its growth
habit, such as an open growth
habit.
 The cultivar can influence the
plant’s vigour.
 The cultivar can affect the
quantity of the fruit yield.
 The cultivar can cause early
maturing or ripening of the fruit.
 The cultivar can be resistant to
pests and diseases.
 The cultivar can produce larger
fruit size.
 An open growth habit means
that there is greater leaf area
for photosynthesis, which is
essential for fruit growth.
 Some cultivars such as
Braeburn have lower vigour
(produces lower vegetative
growth) and therefore are
better at utilising their
resources to produce fruit.
 Some cultivars are better at
promoting heavy fruiting, earlymaturing fruit and / or larger
fruit size by converting
nutrients and water from
vegetative growth to
reproductive growth, eg spurs.
 A pest and disease- resistant
cultivar means that there is
less damage done to the fruit,
and they have more resources
to grow larger, rather than
wasting them on controlling
damage from pests and
diseases.
(b)
A2
or
M2
or
E
Describes TWO criteria the
grower would use when selecting
apple cultivars.
Examples:
A grower would select apple
cultivars based on:
 the characteristics of the cultivar
that he / she desires, such as
pest and disease resistance,
fruit quality and quantity, early
maturing, and short production
time
Explains how cultivar selection
can be used to influence the
productivity of an apple crop.
Examples:
By selecting certain cultivars, the
grower can:
 increase the quality and / or
quantity of apples produced by
selecting pest- and diseaseresistant cultivars
 forecasted or predicted prices
for export and non-export
 extend production time, due to
late-maturing cultivars
 requirements such as highest
financial return, thus increasing
the economics of production
 the suitability of the area and
 reduce production time, due to
early-maturing cultivars
 enhance the economics of
production by selecting
cultivars that have high
economic returns, such as a
Justifies why a mix of cultivars
is desirable to maximise
orchard profitability.
Examples:
 Cultivars will be dependent on
the physical environment that
the orchard is in.
 The workload, such as pruning
and picking, is able to be
spread, as the trees will need
to be worked at slightly
different times rather than all at
one time.
 Growers are able to meet both
the export and the non-export
markets, which want different
cultivars of apples.
 If the grower produces a range
NCEA Level 2 Agricultural and Horticultural Science (90454) 2009 — page 5 of 6
climate for growing
high price.
 the maintenance and production
of the cultivar.
Q
Achievement
Achievement with Merit
Describes an effect of fungal
diseases on plant growth.
Example:
This fungus infects the plant at the
base of the stem, which rots and
the plant then goes yellow and
dies.
Explains how fungal diseases
reduce financial returns.
Example:
Consumers will not purchase
plants that appear to have
defects, such as rotting or yellow
parts. Growers may not harvest
infected crops, therefore no
costs recovered.
Describes how humidity control
would reduce the occurrence of
Botrytis cinerea.
Example:
Explains how humidity control
would improve lettuce quantity.
Examples:
of apple cultivars, they are less
dependent on the whims of
market demand.
Achievement with Excellence
TWO
(a)
A1
or
M1
(b)
A2
or
M2
or
E
Using ventilation, such as the
opening or closing of vents, will
ensure that humidity is not too
high and stays at the optimum
level. This will enable greater
control of Botrytis cinerea and
reduce its occurrence.
Ventilation also reduces the ability
of fungal spores to settle on leaf
material.
 By ensuring that the humidity
level is at the optimum level
and is not too high, the Botrytis
cinerea will not have the
optimum conditions to be able
to spread and reproduce, thus
reducing the chances of
infection.
 Botrytis cinerea requires damp
conditions, so by reducing
overhead watering, which wets
the foliage, and by ensuring
good ventilation, humidity will
be reduced.
 Humidity control ensures that
the lettuce crop will not be
affected by Botrytis cinerea,
thus increasing the quantity of
the lettuces produced and then
harvested, resulting in an
increase in yield.
 Lettuces infected by fungal
disease may be rejected by the
market.
Justifies why humidity control
is better than media sterilisation
in terms of producing the largest
quantity of lettuces not affected
by Botrytis cinerea.
Example:
Controlling the humidity
surrounding the lettuce crop
ensures that the environmental
conditions are not optimal for
Botrytis cinerea, and it is
therefore unable to reproduce.
Botrytis cinerea spores can also
be present in the surrounding air,
so it is important that the
environmental conditions are not
optimal to ensure that the spores
are unable to germinate. Media
sterilisation will not stop the
spread of Botrytis cinerea
present in the surrounding air.
Controlling humidity will ensure
that the lettuce crop is able to
produce the highest quantity of
lettuces.
NCEA Level 2 Agricultural and Horticultural Science (90454) 2009 — page 6 of 6
Q
Achievement
Achievement with Merit
Achievement with Excellence
THREE
(a)
A1
or
M1
Describes ONE physical effect
that auxin has on the growth and
development of plants.
Examples:
Explains how the levels
(concentrations) of auxin affect
the growth of a plant crop.
Examples:
 Promotes growth in the actively
growing aerial buds by cell
elongation and inhibits lateral
bud growth.
 Auxins are produced in actively
growing aerial buds in
significant concentrations. This
promotes apical dominance
growth and inhibits lateral bud
growth.
 Promotes the growth of roots by
cell elongation and also root
initiation from cuttings and
calluses.
 Stimulates cell division, such as
promoting development of the
roots, stimulates cambial
activity, and stimulates
development of fruit.
 Maintains cell wall structure, eg
inhibits leaf and fruit abscission.
(b)
A2
or
M2
or
E
Describes how pinching out
affects plant growth.
Example
The practice of pinching out
removes the apical dominance of
the plant and allows the side
shoots to develop, producing a
bushy plant.
 Promotes root growth when in
low concentrations, however is
inhibitory at high
concentrations.
 Seasonal variation – spring /
summer high auxin – high
growth. Reverse holds for
autumn / winter.
Explains how the use of rooting
hormone would reduce the time
for production of the cuttings.
Example
By applying the appropriate
hormone in the concentration
required, a larger number of
adventitious roots will be
produced. Because of the
increased ability to absorb water
and nutrients, and better
anchorage in the growing media,
larger and stronger plants will be
produced. This reduces the time
required to produce plants to a
saleable size.
Justifies the combined use of
techniques.
Example
Hormone-treated cuttings show a
significant increase in root
formation and a larger number of
adventitious roots will be
produced, compared with
untreated cuttings. This increases
the ability of the cuttings to
absorb water and nutrients, and
ensures better anchorage in the
growing media, resulting in larger
and stronger plants.
Achievement
Achievement with Merit
Achievement with Excellence
2 A1 / M1
2 A2 / M2
2 M1
2 M2
Merit + 2 E
The practice of pinching out
removes the apical dominance of
the plant and allows the side
shoots and buds to develop. This
means that more of the plant’s
energy and food is being sent to
these buds, and growth occurs
quickly, ensuring that the plant
doubles its size rapidly.
Judgement Statement