← Agriculture & Land Use syllabus

Northern IrelandAgriculture & Land Use

Crop Production

4 dot points across 4 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

What controls how much a crop yields, and what are the arguments for and against GM crops?

The key factors affecting crop yield such as weather, soils, crop rotation, pests and diseases, the meaning of genetically modified crops, the advantages and disadvantages of widespread GM crop use, and the purpose of a seasonal crop management plan.
A focused CCEA GCSE Agriculture and Land Use answer on crop yield and GM crops, covering the factors affecting crop yield, the meaning of genetically modified crops, the advantages and disadvantages of GM crops, and the purpose of a seasonal crop management plan.
7 min answer →

Which crops, grasses and weeds matter on a Northern Ireland farm, and why is improving crop varieties so important?

The most common crops grown in Northern Ireland, the identification of named grasses, weeds and crops, the need for continuous research into crop quality, and how the time of year and grass maturity affect nutritional value.
A focused CCEA GCSE Agriculture and Land Use answer on crops, grasses and weeds, covering the common crops grown in Northern Ireland, identifying named grasses, weeds and crops, the need for continuous research into crop quality, and how maturity affects grass nutritional value.
7 min answer →

How is one farm crop produced from field to supermarket, what machinery is used, and how would organic methods differ?

The production of one common farm crop from site selection through to distribution, the main costs at each phase, the main types of farm machinery used, and the differences organic methods would make to that crop.
A focused CCEA GCSE Agriculture and Land Use answer on growing a farm crop, covering the production of one crop from site selection to distribution, the costs at each phase, the main types of farm machinery, and how organic methods would differ.
8 min answer →

How is grass turned into silage, how is its quality judged, and how are grass yields and dry matter measured?

The process of silage-making on Northern Ireland farms, assessing silage quality using colour, smell and moisture, using oven drying to find percentage dry matter, and estimating grass yields with a rising plate meter or herbage samples.
A focused CCEA GCSE Agriculture and Land Use answer on silage and grassland management, covering the silage-making process, assessing silage quality by colour, smell and moisture, oven drying to find percentage dry matter, and estimating grass yields with a rising plate meter or herbage samples.
7 min answer →