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Subjects · Leaving Cert Agricultural Science

Leaving Cert Agricultural Science: Reproduction & fertility

How often Reproduction & fertility comes up on the Agricultural Science papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

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

OL Asked on 5 of the last 5 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

Reproduction & fertility, Higher Level(7 marks)

Quick ones on Reproduction & fertility.

(a)What is the average length of the oestrous cycle in a cow?
  1. 17 days
  2. 21 days
  3. 28 days
(b)The gestation length of a cow is about...
  1. 114 days
  2. 147 days
  3. 283 days
(c)A cow is first seen in heat in the morning. Using the a.m./p.m. rule, when should she be inseminated?
  1. That evening
  2. The following evening
  3. Immediately
Show the answers

(a) 21 days

(b) 283 days

(c) That evening

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Reproduction & fertility.

Higher Level

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

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Q13, Q13c
2024Q11
2023Q9b, Q11
2022Q15
2021Q11a

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

More Reproduction & fertility questions

Reproduction & fertility, 2 marks

Which sign best shows that a cow is in standing heat?

  1. She bellows loudly during milking
  2. She stops eating for two whole days
  3. She stands still when mounted by others
Show the answer

She stands still when mounted by others

Standing to be mounted is the main sign of heat. Other signs include restlessness, mounting others, a clear mucus discharge and rubbed tail paint.

Reproduction & fertility, 3 marks

Why is tail paint used on dairy cows in the breeding season?

  1. It prevents lameness
  2. Rubbed-off paint shows she has been mounted
  3. It marks cows already scanned in calf
Show the answer

Rubbed-off paint shows she has been mounted

When a cow in heat is mounted, the paint on her tail head is rubbed off, helping the farmer spot heats and time AI.

Reproduction & fertility, 3 marks

A surge of which hormone triggers ovulation?

  1. Luteinising hormone (LH)
  2. Progesterone (P4)
  3. Prolactin (PRL)
Show the answer

Luteinising hormone (LH)

FSH develops the follicle and oestrogen causes heat; a surge of LH then makes the follicle release the egg.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 5 of the last 5 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Q2, Q9a, Q10, Q18
2024Q15, Q15d, Q17, Q18d
2023Q10a, Q10b
2022Q4b
2021Q10

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

More Reproduction & fertility questions

Reproduction & fertility, 2 marks

How long is the oestrous cycle of a cow?

  1. 17 days
  2. 28 days
  3. 21 days
Show the answer

21 days

A cow that is not in calf comes back into heat about every 21 days. The ewe's cycle is shorter, about 17 days.

Reproduction & fertility, 2 marks

How long is the gestation period of a cow?

  1. About 114 days
  2. About 283 days
  3. About 147 days
Show the answer

About 283 days

Cow gestation is about nine months (283 days). A ewe carries lambs for about 147 days and a sow carries piglets for about 114 days.

Reproduction & fertility, 2 marks

A cow that stands still while other cows mount her is?

  1. In heat
  2. About to calve
  3. Lame
Show the answer

In heat

Standing to be mounted is the surest sign of heat. Others include restlessness, bellowing, clear mucus and tail paint rubbed off.

Other Agricultural Science topics

All of Leaving Cert Agricultural Science