The reaction to this year’s Leaving Cert agricultural science paper was largely positive, according to the Irish Agricultural Science Teachers’ Association (IASTA).

The association noted that the exam featured numerous questions relating to contemporary issues in agriculture such as last year’s drought, fodder shortages and the recent authorisation by the EU for the extended use of glyphosate. There was also greater emphasis on crop production on this year’s higher level paper.

“The paper favoured those that knew their crop production as it tended to focus slightly more on this area of the course than animal production with surprisingly few questions on dairy for example,” Willie White of IASTA commented.

Reaction to the ordinary level paper was also generally positive with most considering it a well-balanced paper, with the return of the picture of common farm machinery question welcomed.

Both exams took place on Monday. IASTA is the subject’s representative associations for agricultural science teachers.