QCAA Agricultural Science Enterprise management
15 sample questions with marking guides and sample answers
The table shows Australian Breeding Values (ABVs) for production traits for four bulls.
| Bull | Birthweight (kg) | 200-day milk (L) | 200-day growth (kg) | Mature cow weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | ||||
| B | ||||
| C | ||||
| D |
Determine which bull should be purchased to improve milk production. Use evidence from the table to support your decision.
Reveal Answer
Bull A
This is due to the higher 200-day milk production value at +10 kg. Bull C has a similar 200-day milk ABV, but Bull A has a higher 200-day weight for calves.
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Identifies bull A | 1 |
Identifies a piece of evidence from the table to support the decision | 1 |
Identifies a second piece of evidence from the table to support the decision | 1 |
Identify which factors affect decisions made about property management.
food security, market suitability
location to markets, food quality
financial considerations, human resources
environmental factors, population distribution
Reveal Answer
food security, market suitability
While market suitability is relevant, food security is typically a macro-level societal outcome or policy goal rather than a direct operational input for individual property management decisions.
location to markets, food quality
Location is generally a fixed physical attribute rather than a dynamic management variable, and food quality is a production target rather than a primary resource constraint affecting decision-making.
financial considerations, human resources
Property management decisions are fundamentally driven by the availability of capital (financial considerations) and the workforce required to execute tasks (human resources).
environmental factors, population distribution
While environmental factors influence decisions, population distribution is a broad demographic metric that does not directly dictate the day-to-day operational management of a specific property.
The table gives the results from a trial conducted on sugarcane over five years. A fallow crop of soybeans was planted, grown and ploughed back into the soil prior to planting the sugarcane.
A control practice was to leave the soil fallowed between sugarcane harvest and the next season’s planting.
At each location the mean crop yield was measured over five years.
| Location | Legume fallow: Nitrogen fertiliser applied (kg/ha) | Legume fallow: Mean yield (t/ha) | Bare fallow: Nitrogen fertiliser applied (kg/ha) | Bare fallow: Mean yield (t/ha) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Site 1 | ||||
| Site 2 | ||||
| Site 3 | ||||
| Site 4 | ||||
| Site 5 | ||||
| Site 6 |
Draw a conclusion about the most suitable crop rotation system to use. Use the table to justify your conclusion.
Reveal Answer
The most suitable crop rotation system is legume fallow.
In general, sites that used legume fallow were able to produce a similar yield but use significantly less nitrogen fertiliser.
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
concludes that legume fallow is the most suitable crop rotation system | 1 |
identifies that legume fallow produces the same yield with less fertiliser | 1 |
Identify two advantages of the crop rotation system identified in 9a).
Reveal Answer
Advantages of reducing the use of fertiliser are that it would significantly reduce costs and potential run-off into waterways.
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
identifies 1 advantage of the crop rotation system | 1 |
identifies another advantage of the crop rotation system | 1 |
Provide one disadvantage of the crop rotation system identified in 9a).
Reveal Answer
A disadvantage of the legume fallow system is that the cost of planting soybeans and ploughing them back into the soil could outweigh the cost of the nitrogen fertiliser.
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
identifies a disadvantage of the crop rotation system | 1 |
Barber's pole worm (Haemonchus contortus) is a major parasite in the Queensland sheep industry (particularly where summer rainfall is dominant), with substantial problems associated with drench resistance costing the industry millions of dollars each year. Adult worms live inside the digestive tract of sheep and lay up to 10 000 eggs per day, which are passed in dung. With favourable (warm and moist) weather conditions, infective larvae hatch within 3–4 days and migrate up onto the stalks of pastures. They live within the bottom 7–8 cm of the pasture stalk and are subsequently ingested by grazing sheep, where they mature in the abomasum over 21 days. If they are ingested by grazing cattle or horses, they do not survive, due to differences within the digestive system.
The larvae require warm and moist environments within the lower section of the pasture but are susceptible to direct sunlight and fire, which will kill them.
Individual sheep demonstrate varied resistance to this parasite, with a heritability of worm resistance of at least 25%. Animals that have been exposed to this parasite tend to acquire a basic level of immunity; however, animals that are at greatest risk are weaners, ewes just prior to lambing, as well as those that have never been exposed to the parasite. The parasite causes issues including lethargy, weight loss, a break in the wool staple length, and a drop in milk production. It can also be fatal.
Regular faecal egg counts can give producers information on the current worm burden of their flock as well as that population's resistance to specific drenches. Several drenches are available (including short-acting, quarantine drenches and long-acting drenches); however, Queensland has seen major problems with Barber's pole worm resistance to some drenches. A vaccine has recently been developed, which has been useful in situations where severe drench resistance is evident; however, this vaccine is quite expensive.
Use the PPRR (Prevention, Preparedness, Response, Recovery) model to assess the risk of Barber's pole worm on sheep production. Describe two risk management strategies for each element of the PPRR model for Queensland sheep producers. Provide a justification for each management strategy.
Reveal Answer
Prevention
-
Management strategy 1: Selective breeding for worm resistance: Heritability for this trait is 25%, so, although progress may be slow, creating a herd that has a natural resistance to this parasite will reduce financial loss due to lost productivity in the animals and reduce reliance on drenches.
-
Management strategy 2: Paddock rotation: Rotating the paddocks (ideally every 4 weeks) will help to break the life cycle of the pest, as the hatched larvae will not be ingested by sheep and will eventually die on the pasture as they are unable to complete their life cycle.
Preparedness
- Management strategy 1: Maintain pasture lengths that are longer than 7-8 cm. This will reduce the chance of sheep ingesting the larvae, as they reside on the lower sections of the pasture.
- Management strategy 2: Drench ewes just prior to lambing, as this is the time when they are most susceptible to worm infestations. This will reduce the chance of them getting sick and the chance of their milk production dropping off, which would put the growth of their lambs at risk.
Response
- Management strategy 1: Conduct faecal egg count test to establish the level of infection and to gain information on the most effective type of drench to use.
- Management strategy 2: Put the lambs on a feedlot to stop them from grazing on the ground and picking up larvae.
Recovery
- Management strategy 1: Increase the feed given to affected animals to help them recover the body weight lost due to the infection.
- Management strategy 2: Buy in more ewes to replace the animals that died from the parasite in order to maintain breeding operations.
Identification of strategies for Barber's pole worm
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
identifies a strategy for prevention | 1 |
identifies a second strategy for prevention | 1 |
identifies a strategy for preparedness | 1 |
identifies a second strategy for preparedness | 1 |
identifies a strategy for response | 1 |
identifies a second strategy for response | 1 |
identifies a strategy for recovery | 1 |
identifies a second strategy for recovery | 1 |
Justification of strategies for Barber's pole worm
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
justifies a strategy for prevention | 1 |
justifies a second strategy for prevention | 1 |
justifies a strategy for preparedness | 1 |
justifies a second strategy for preparedness | 1 |
justifies a strategy for response | 1 |
justifies a second strategy for response | 1 |
justifies a strategy for recovery | 1 |
justifies a second strategy for recovery | 1 |
This question refer to the data in the table, which shows selected expenses for a merino enterprise.
| Expenses | $ |
|---|---|
| Depreciation | 32 876 |
| Seed | 9456 |
| Fertiliser | 23 657 |
| Harvesting | 14 690 |
| Rates | 4789 |
| Mustering | 10 000 |
| Vaccines | 17 800 |
| Shearing | 27 549 |
| Loan repayments | 36 155 |
| Total farm expenses | 176 972 |
Which expense is a fixed cost?
seed
shearing
harvesting
depreciation
Reveal Answer
seed
Seed is a variable cost because the total expense increases directly with the amount of land cultivated or the scale of production.
shearing
Shearing is a variable cost because the expense depends on the number of sheep in the flock; more sheep result in higher shearing costs.
harvesting
Harvesting is a variable cost as it varies based on the size of the yield or the specific area of crop that needs to be harvested.
depreciation
Depreciation is a fixed cost (overhead) representing the loss in value of capital assets over time, which is incurred regardless of the farm's production level.
A citrus orchard in Queensland grows Imperial mandarins for the domestic market and Honey Murcott mandarins for the export market. They also have a small number of other citrus trees and sell the fruit through a driveway stall and the local supermarket.
The property occupies an undulating sloped area of 100 hectares and has an average annual rainfall of 870 mm.
Less than half of the property is currently used for producing citrus and the remainder is unused, including some river flats and hillier country. Citrus production on this property has been affected by an outbreak of citrus canker in the past.
The orchard’s workforce comprises two owners who live and work full-time at the property, and one full-time employee. They require additional seasonal labour to assist at harvest times.
An anticipated risk to this Australian agricultural enterprise is cyclones. Identify one other anticipated risk. For each risk, use the PPRR (Prevention, Preparedness, Response, Recovery) model to describe a risk management strategy for each element of the model. Justify the risk management strategy for each element.
Reveal Answer
Anticipated risk: Cyclones
Prevention: Plant windbreaks such as more trees on parts of the farm that are less impacted by winds and floods. This could mitigate damage that is inflicted from flooding and storm water run-off.
Preparedness: Update the existing netting and increase the amount of netting and other forms of tree protection across the property. This strategy will help prevent crop losses and potentially avoid having to replace damaged trees.
Response: Put flood water diversions and barriers in place. This would help to prevent floodwater from reaching vulnerable trees.
Recovery: Have the resources available to replant and/or prune and repair trees after a weather event. Getting the trees to grow productively again as quickly as possible is important to the long-term economic survival of the business.
Anticipated risk: Financial risk
(e.g. from having only one income stream)
Prevention: Introduce a second income stream, such as running cattle on the hills on the unused portion of the farm or growing hay on the river flats. A diversification of the enterprise would help to reduce volatility in domestic and or export market prices for Honey-Murcott mandarins.
Preparedness: Lock in future prices with long-term contracts. Having a fixed price would help sustain the income generated by the enterprise.
Response: Monitor market trends and ensure selling to the right market for the maximum price. Maximising prices will assist the overall profitability and long-term sustainability of the business.
Recovery: Look for value adding of the product, e.g. more long-term storage like juices/cordials. Value-adding can increase income through new markets the products are sold to as well as avoid wastage of the product. For example, juicing will use mandarins that wouldn't meet market requirements. Therefore, creating diversification of income to help sustain the business.
Identification of strategies for cyclones
Marking Bands| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
identifies a strategy for all four components of the PPRR model | 4 |
identifies a strategy for three components of the PPRR model | 3 |
identifies a strategy for two components of the PPRR model | 2 |
identifies a strategy for one component of the PPRR model | 1 |
does not satisfy any of the descriptors above. | 0 |
Justification of strategies for cyclones
Marking Bands| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
justifies each strategy for all four components of the PPRR model | 4 |
justifies each strategy for three components of the PPRR model | 3 |
justifies each strategy for two components of the PPRR model | 2 |
justifies a strategy for one component of the PPRR model | 1 |
does not satisfy any of the descriptors above. | 0 |
Identification of anticipated risk
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
identifies a second risk | 1 |
Identification of strategies for anticipated risk
Marking Bands| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
identifies a strategy for all four components of the PPRR model | 4 |
identifies a strategy for three components of the PPRR model | 3 |
identifies a strategy for two components of the PPRR model | 2 |
identifies a strategy for one component of the PPRR model | 1 |
does not satisfy any of the descriptors above. | 0 |
Justification of strategies for anticipated risk
Marking Bands| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
justifies each strategy for all four components of the PPRR model | 4 |
justifies each strategy for three components of the PPRR model | 3 |
justifies each strategy for two components of the PPRR model | 2 |
justifies a strategy for one component of the PPRR model | 1 |
does not satisfy any of the descriptors above. | 0 |
This question refer to the data in the table, which shows selected expenses for a merino enterprise.
| Expenses | $ |
|---|---|
| Depreciation | 32 876 |
| Seed | 9456 |
| Fertiliser | 23 657 |
| Harvesting | 14 690 |
| Rates | 4789 |
| Mustering | 10 000 |
| Vaccines | 17 800 |
| Shearing | 27 549 |
| Loan repayments | 36 155 |
| Total farm expenses | 176 972 |
Determine the total variable expenses in the table.
＄93 152
＄103 152
＄107 941
＄136 028
Reveal Answer
＄93 152
This value is incorrect because it underestimates the total, likely by omitting one of the variable expense categories from the calculation.
＄103 152
This is the correct answer, representing the sum of all identified variable expenses listed in the table.
＄107 941
This value is incorrect; it likely includes a fixed expense that was mistakenly classified as a variable expense.
＄136 028
This value is incorrect and likely represents the total of all expenses (both fixed and variable) rather than just the variable expenses.
Which option is an appropriate risk management strategy for a vegetable farm in a high rainfall area to minimise direct damage caused by flood waters to crops?
installing adequate drainage to low-lying zones
installing water tanks off large roof structures
planting crops that are resistant to root rot
having filled sandbags ready to use
Reveal Answer
installing adequate drainage to low-lying zones
Installing adequate drainage directly removes excess water from vulnerable low-lying areas, preventing waterlogging and minimizing direct physical damage to the crops from floodwaters.
installing water tanks off large roof structures
While water tanks capture runoff from roofs, they do not manage surface water across the farm's fields and are insufficient to prevent flood damage to crops during high rainfall.
planting crops that are resistant to root rot
Planting root rot-resistant crops helps manage disease after waterlogging occurs, but it does not prevent the direct physical damage caused by the floodwaters themselves.
having filled sandbags ready to use
Sandbags are typically used to protect infrastructure or buildings from rising water, not expansive agricultural fields, making this an impractical strategy for protecting crops.
The table outlines the income and variable expenses for two enterprises that produce canola under different production systems: irrigated and dryland.
| Irrigated | Dryland | |
|---|---|---|
| Harvest (t/ha) | 3 | 2.5 |
| Income (＄/t) | 460.00 | 460.00 |
| Total income (＄/ha) | 1380.00 | 1150.00 |
| Variable costs (＄/ha) | ||
| Sowing | 68.00 | 56.00 |
| Fertiliser | 353.00 | 240.34 |
| Herbicide | 43.00 | 45.00 |
| Insecticide | 47.71 | 21.00 |
| Contract harvesting | 135.00 | 135.00 |
| Levies | 20.00 | 19.00 |
| Insurance | 51.00 | 41.26 |
| Irrigation | 46.00 | 0.00 |
| Total variable costs (＄/ha) | 763.71 | 557.60 |
| Gross margin (＄/ha) | 616.29 | 592.40 |
Assess the financial figures of the two enterprises to conclude which is the more financially and environmentally sustainable enterprise. Justify your response.
Reveal Answer
The two systems receive the same income per tonne of canola (＄460/t); however, the irrigated system produces 0.5 t more per ha than the dryland system. The significance of this is that the total income is higher for the irrigated system.
The most profitable system is the irrigated system. However, the variable expenses are higher for the irrigated system in contrast to the dryland system, so in terms of environmental sustainability, the dryland system is more environmentally sustainable with less inputs required, and its gross margin is similar to the irrigated system.
Therefore, the dryland system is the more financially and environmentally sustainable enterprise.
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Identifies a difference in yield | 1 |
Identifies higher variable costs for the irrigated system | 1 |
Identifies that less inputs are required for the dryland system | 1 |
Draws a justified conclusion | 1 |
A dairy farm in the tick-free zone of Queensland has been quarantined due to a cattle tick infestation. The producer is required to treat their animals over a two-year period to eradicate the infestation and then continue to treat their animals to prevent re-infestation.
Discuss an effective strategy for a two-year period, considering the goals and implications of using chemicals in a dairy enterprise.
Reveal Answer
The goals of a two-year chemical treatment program should initially be to kill ticks attached to the cattle and to prevent re-infestation by preventing ticks from producing eggs in the paddock. In order for milk production to continue, the chemical must have an acceptable withholding period.
A follow-up application at an appropriate interval after the initial application will be necessary to prevent re-infestation. Consideration should be given to using a different type of chemical for the follow-up application to prevent tick resistance to the chemicals used for the initial application. Further applications will be required over the two-year period to control tick numbers.
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
States that a goal for initial chemical application is to kill ticks | 1 |
States that a second goal for initial chemical application is to prevent re-infestation by preventing egg production | 1 |
Justifies the chemical with reference to milk production | 1 |
States that a follow-up application will be required using a different chemical at an appropriate interval after the initial application | 1 |
States that it will prevent tick resistance to chemicals | 1 |
Identifies need for further applications across two-year period | 1 |
An excerpt from a financial statement for a wheat crop grown on 500 ha is shown.
| $/ha | |
|---|---|
| Income/ha | 704 |
| Wheat (3.2 t/ha at $220/t) | 704 |
| Total income ($/ha) | |
| Costs/ha | |
| Sowing | 58 |
| Permanent wages | 40 |
| Rates | 18 |
| Fertiliser | 210 |
| Herbicide | 42 |
| Insecticide | 12 |
| Contractors | 110 |
| Fuel | 18 |
| Total variable cost ($/ha) | |
| Total cost ($/ha) | |
| Gross margin ($/ha) |
Determine the total variable cost and gross margin for the crop.
| Total variable cost ($/ha) | Gross margin ($/ha) | |
|---|---|---|
| A | 508 | 196 |
| B | 468 | 236 |
| C | 450 | 254 |
| D | 472 | 232 |
Row A
Row B
Row C
Row D
Reveal Answer
Row A
This option incorrectly calculates the Total Cost () by including fixed costs (Permanent wages and Rates) and the resulting Net Profit (), rather than the Total Variable Cost and Gross Margin.
Row B
This calculation incorrectly classifies Rates () as a variable cost, adding it to the actual variable costs (), which results in an incorrect gross margin.
Row C
Total variable costs are the sum of Sowing, Fertiliser, Herbicide, Insecticide, Contractors, and Fuel (). The Gross Margin is calculated as Total Income minus Total Variable Costs ().
Row D
This result stems from a misclassification error, specifically including Permanent wages () as a variable cost while excluding Fuel (), resulting in a total of .
A cage egg producer in Queensland is concerned about the low level of cage egg sales in the retail market. Explain two risk management strategies the producer could use to help prevent financial loss.
Reveal Answer
Diversification is one risk management strategy the producer could use. This could involve adding another egg production system, such as barn-laid or free-range eggs, to the production mix to access higher financial returns for the end product.
Additionally, to prevent financial loss, the producer could attempt to secure a new market by arranging a new marketing agreement with another retailer.
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Identifies a risk management strategy that could help prevent financial loss | 1 |
Explains the strategy | 1 |
Identifies a second risk management strategy that could help prevent financial loss | 1 |
Explains the second strategy | 1 |
The table shows the results of an experiment that compared varieties of canola for oil production and yield.
The current base price for canola is ＄592 per tonne. A 1.5% premium is paid for every 1% of oil content above 42%. A 1.5% discount is applied for every 1% of oil content below 41%.
| Variety 1 | Variety 2 | Variety 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oil content (%) | 42.73 | 45.65 | 39.32 |
| Yield (t/ha) | 1.87 | 1.76 | 2.12 |
Draw a conclusion about which canola variety should be selected for commercial production. Show your working.
Reveal Answer
Variety 3 would be the most profitable variety to plant for commercial use, based on oil content and yield.
Premium/discount for oil
Variety 1:
Variety 2:
Variety 3:
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
correctly applies a correct method to determine the relative incomes per hectare for the 3 varieties AND concludes that Variety 3 should be selected | 4 |
correctly applies a correct method to determine the relative incomes per hectare for the 3 varieties OR applies a correct method for determining the relative incomes per hectare for 2 varieties AND concludes that Variety 3 should be selected | 3 |
correctly determines the income per hectare for 2 varieties OR applies a correct method for determining the relative incomes per hectare for 1 variety AND concludes that Variety 3 should be selected | 2 |
correctly determines the income per hectare for 1 variety | 1 |
does not satisfy any of the descriptors above. | 0 |
An extensive cattle grazing property in northern Queensland focuses on breeding and backgrounding Brahman and Brahman cross animals for domestic and live export markets. Breeder numbers have declined in recent years due to drought.
The property is 45 000 hectares and has an average annual rainfall of 495 mm.
The current workforce consists of a property manager, a head stockperson and eight recent school leavers working as jackaroos and jillaroos. Contract helicopter pilots are employed twice a year to help with mustering.
An anticipated risk to this Australian agricultural enterprise is drought. Identify one other anticipated risk. For each risk, use the PPRR (Prevention, Preparedness, Response, Recovery) model to describe a risk management strategy for each element of the model. Justify the risk management strategy for each element.
Reveal Answer
Anticipated risk: Drought
Prevention: Gather information from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) for long-term weather predictions. This would allow planning of timelines, stock management, water reserves and budgeting.
Preparedness: Increase the level of feed stored. The storage of extra feed, such as cotton seed meal, in times when prices are favourable allows for controlled feed budgeting and economic value. Some pastures can be turned into conserved feed in the form of hay to take advantage of favourable growing conditions.
Response: Consider the stock numbers. Monitor and control the feed levels in paddocks. Monitoring feed levels will help determine when supplements such as urea should be given to minimise losses in animal production.
Recovery: Allow paddocks on the property an opportunity to recover and manage restocking rates. Giving paddocks adequate time to recover will allow paddocks to revegetate, i.e. increase pasture productivity, and minimise risk of erosion.
Anticipated risk: Economic hazard
(e.g. a downturn in cattle prices)
Prevention: Diversify the existing enterprise. Diversification into another subsystem, such as adding in a tourism component, or diversifying existing enterprise, such as organic accreditation, will help prevent the impact of falling cattle prices.
Preparedness: Lock in cattle prices with long-term contracts. Locking prices into contracts in advance will help secure market prices and lessen potential volatility in the marketplace and help ensure a steady income stream.
Response: Respond to market changes and/or monitor market trends for signs of improvement. Consider restocking when market prices are low. Consider selling older breeding stock when prices are high.
Recovery: Evaluate available relevant sources of information. Use a wider market to find higher market prices. Lock in co-ops and set markets for future sales to consolidate income. Increase the breeding rates on the property to reduce the cost of restocking.
Identification of strategies for drought
Marking Bands| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
identifies a strategy for all four components of the PPRR model | 4 |
identifies a strategy for three components of the PPRR model | 3 |
identifies a strategy for two components of the PPRR model | 2 |
identifies a strategy for one component of the PPRR model | 1 |
does not satisfy any of the descriptors above. | 0 |
Justification of strategies for drought
Marking Bands| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
justifies each strategy for all four components of the PPRR model | 4 |
justifies each strategy for three components of the PPRR model | 3 |
justifies each strategy for two components of the PPRR model | 2 |
justifies a strategy for one component of the PPRR model | 1 |
does not satisfy any of the descriptors above. | 0 |
Identification of anticipated risk
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
identifies an anticipated risk | 1 |
Identification of strategies for anticipated risk
Marking Bands| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
identifies a strategy for all four components of the PPRR model | 4 |
identifies a strategy for three components of the PPRR model | 3 |
identifies a strategy for two components of the PPRR model | 2 |
identifies a strategy for one component of the PPRR model | 1 |
does not satisfy any of the descriptors above. | 0 |
Justification of strategies for risk 2
Marking Bands| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
justifies each strategy for all four components of the PPRR model | 4 |
justifies each strategy for three components of the PPRR model | 3 |
justifies each strategy for two components of the PPRR model | 2 |
justifies a strategy for one component of the PPRR model | 1 |
does not satisfy any of the descriptors above. | 0 |
A beef producer in southern Queensland wants to take advantage of an unseasonal late-winter rainfall of 110 mm and plant a summer forage crop. The beef producer is unsure if the crop will be grazed off or mechanically removed as hay or bale-wrapped silage. This decision will depend on future growing conditions.
The table shows the mean rainfall usually experienced in the region. The information in the graphs describes the characteristics of three different varieties of forage sorghum suitable for the region.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mean rainfall (mm) | 129.8 | 144.0 | 104.7 | 43.0 | 45.3 | 37.4 | 31.8 | 26.8 | 24.2 | 49.5 | 66.3 | 104.3 |
Key
Rating: 1 = poor, 9 = excellent
Performance Ratings:
| Use | Sorghum A | Sorghum B | Sorghum C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold start | 9 | 5 | 5 |
| Beef grazing | 8 | 9 | 5 |
| Dairy grazing | 9 | 6 | 4 |
| Sheep grazing | 7 | 4 | 4 |
| Hay making | 8 | 5 | 5 |
| Fast feed | 9 | 5 | 4 |
| Late summer/carryover feed | 3 | 9 | 5 |
| Pit silage | 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Round bale silage | 9 | 6 | 6 |
Determine the best variety of forage sorghum for this producer to plant. Justify your decision with four pieces of evidence from the data.
Reveal Answer
Decision: The best variety of forage sorghum to plant is Sorghum A. This is the best option because:
• it tolerates a cold start — planting in late winter
• it is close to the best variety for beef grazing
• it can be grazed or hayed and is also suitable for bale silage
• the expected rainfall between late August and summer will ensure it will continue to grow and provide a feed source while waiting for summer rains.
The producer can expect to have more summer rain, and should have natural grass cover to continue the growth of their cattle.
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Chooses an appropriate variety of sorghum | 1 |
Identifies a reason | 1 |
Identifies a second reason | 1 |
Identifies a third reason | 1 |
Identifies a fourth reason | 1 |