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Subjects · Leaving Cert Agricultural Science

Leaving Cert Agricultural Science: Animal nutrition & feed efficiency

How often Animal nutrition & feed efficiency comes up on the Agricultural Science papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 4 of the last 5 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. most years

OL Asked on 4 of the last 5 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2024. most years

Animal nutrition & feed efficiency, Higher Level(9 marks)

Quick ones on Animal nutrition & feed efficiency.

(a)A calf weighs 45 kg at birth and 135 kg 100 days later. What is its daily liveweight gain?
  1. 1.35 kg/day
  2. 0.9 kg/day
  3. 0.45 kg/day
(b)Pigs ate 250 kg of feed and gained 100 kg liveweight. What is the FCR?
  1. 25
  2. 0.4
  3. 2.5
(c)Group A has an FCR of 3.2 and Group B an FCR of 2.8. Which is more efficient?
  1. Group B
  2. Neither, they are equal
  3. Group A
Show the answers

(a) 0.9 kg/day

(b) 2.5

(c) Group B

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Animal nutrition & feed efficiency.

Higher Level

Asked on 4 of the last 5 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. most years

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Q5, Q16
2024Q15
2023Q10b
2022Q5, Q7
2021Not asked

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Animal nutrition & feed efficiency questions

Animal nutrition & feed efficiency, 3 marks

A pig with an FCR of 2.6 gains 70 kg. How much feed did it eat?

  1. 26.9 kg
  2. 72.6 kg
  3. 182 kg
Show the answer

182 kg

FCR = feed / gain, so feed = FCR x gain = 2.6 x 70 = 182 kg.

Animal nutrition & feed efficiency, 3 marks

Why are dairy cows fed a high-energy diet in early lactation?

  1. To lower their milk yield
  2. To limit negative energy balance
  3. To dry them off sooner
Show the answer

To limit negative energy balance

Milk yield rises faster than appetite after calving, so cows lose condition. Good energy intake limits this and protects fertility.

Animal nutrition & feed efficiency, 2 marks

What is the main role of protein in a young animal's diet?

  1. Building muscle and body tissue
  2. Supplying most of the fibre
  3. Supplying only minerals
Show the answer

Building muscle and body tissue

Protein supplies amino acids for growth of muscle, organs and enzymes. Young, fast-growing animals need a higher protein diet.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 4 of the last 5 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2024. most years

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Not asked
2024Q18c
2023Q16
2022Q5
2021Q6, Q18c

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Animal nutrition & feed efficiency questions

Animal nutrition & feed efficiency, 2 marks

Which food constituent is mainly needed for growth and repair?

  1. Carbohydrate
  2. Fat
  3. Protein
Show the answer

Protein

Protein builds muscle, milk and body tissue. Young, fast-growing animals and milking cows need rations higher in protein.

Animal nutrition & feed efficiency, 3 marks

A calf grows from 40 kg to 100 kg in 60 days. What is its daily liveweight gain?

  1. 0.67 kg/day
  2. 1 kg/day
  3. 1.7 kg/day
Show the answer

1 kg/day

DLG = (final weight − start weight) ÷ days = (100 − 40) ÷ 60 = 60 ÷ 60 = 1 kg/day.

Animal nutrition & feed efficiency, 3 marks

A pig eats 250 kg of feed and gains 100 kg. What is its FCR?

  1. 2.5
  2. 0.4
  3. 25
Show the answer

2.5

FCR = feed eaten ÷ weight gained = 250 ÷ 100 = 2.5. A lower FCR is better: less feed is needed for each kg of gain.

Other Agricultural Science topics

All of Leaving Cert Agricultural Science