Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range of Variables explains the range of contexts within which the performance and knowledge requirements of this standard may be assessed. The scope of variables chosen in training and assessment may depend on the work contexts.

What might the production facilities be?
The facilities might include water storage(s), fencing and gateways, laneways, yards, milking sheds, and stock watering systems and points.

What does sensitivity in dealing with waste products mean?
Identifying and taking the opportunity to eliminate, minimise, or recycle them. It might also mean disposing of them in full consideration of environmental implications.

What kind of environmental controls would be included in the plan?
Strategies for avoiding unnecessary erosion, planting species and techniques that encourage desalination, methods for avoiding and eliminating weeds in pasture, and strategies for avoiding the contamination of ground and surface water supplies would be included.

What are the OHS hazards associated with livestock production?
OHS hazards include working closely with animals in confined spaces, moving animals by force of the body, and handling and moving weights and objects such as feed and equipment.

What are the major aspects of a feeding plan?
Supplies, schedules and feeding programs should all be included in the plan.

Are financial indicators the only component of a cost benefit analysis?
Costs and benefits are considered in terms of all impacts on the performance of the farm, and must include animal welfare, environmental and OHS issues, as well as the financial ones.

From where would information be found on innovations?
The sources are many and varied and may encompass news media, farm newspapers and journals, field days, workshops and conferences, other farmers, farm input suppliers, extension services, farm consultants, agricultural research institutes, as well as professionals employed by the business from time to time.

What kind of innovations might be researched and implemented?
Equipment, machinery and practices, including those relating to environmental, OHS and animal welfare practices and/or related equipment, might be researched and implemented.

What is taken into consideration when innovations are assessed?
As with cost benefit analyses, all impacts on the performance of the farm are considered, including animal welfare, environmental implications and OHS hazards and issues, as well as financial issues. Also taken into consideration is the way in which the changes might be implemented and by whom; this might include changes to organisation structure and processes and the individuals who would be required to implement them.

What legal requirements and regulations are likely to impact on managing livestock production?
Rights, responsibilities and limitations relating to land ownership, agricultural tenancy, agistment agreements, and environment protection and others may apply.

How do the legal requirements and regulations affect the farm's business?
In the records required to be kept, the permits to be acquired, and/or the notifications to be made for such activities as the control of weeds and pests, handling, transport, storage and use of chemicals, registration of firearms, and product quality.

Which stages of the production process might attract either procedural or mandatory recordkeeping?
Records kept may relate to resourcing, financial control, and environmental and OHS issues. Specifically, these may include breeding, feeding and production, deaths, rations, sales, purchases, natural increase, stock on hand, inputs and services to production, purchased labour, contracting costs, and share-farming costs.

Permits are required for what kind of activity?
Activities that may adversely affect members of the community, the farm's staff and customers, or the environment. These might include chemical application, chemical clean-up, and the transport and movement of stock and equipment.

What might the production facilities be?
The facilities might include water storage(s), fencing and gateways, laneways, yards, milking sheds, and stock watering systems and points.

What does sensitivity in dealing with waste products mean?
Identifying and taking the opportunity to eliminate, minimise, or recycle them. It might also mean disposing of them in full consideration of environmental implications.

What kind of environmental controls would be included in the plan?
Strategies for avoiding unnecessary erosion, planting species and techniques that encourage desalination, methods for avoiding and eliminating weeds in pasture, and strategies for avoiding the contamination of ground and surface water supplies would be included.

What are the OHS hazards associated with livestock production?
OHS hazards include working closely with animals in confined spaces, moving animals by force of the body, and handling and moving weights and objects such as feed and equipment.

What are the major aspects of a feeding plan?
Supplies, schedules and feeding programs should all be included in the plan.

Are financial indicators the only component of a cost benefit analysis?
Costs and benefits are considered in terms of all impacts on the performance of the farm, and must include animal welfare, environmental and OHS issues, as well as the financial ones.

From where would information be found on innovations?
The sources are many and varied and may encompass news media, farm newspapers and journals, field days, workshops and conferences, other farmers, farm input suppliers, extension services, farm consultants, agricultural research institutes, as well as professionals employed by the business from time to time.

What kind of innovations might be researched and implemented?
Equipment, machinery and practices, including those relating to environmental, OHS and animal welfare practices and/or related equipment, might be researched and implemented.

What is taken into consideration when innovations are assessed?
As with cost benefit analyses, all impacts on the performance of the farm are considered, including animal welfare, environmental implications and OHS hazards and issues, as well as financial issues. Also taken into consideration is the way in which the changes might be implemented and by whom; this might include changes to organisation structure and processes and the individuals who would be required to implement them.

What legal requirements and regulations are likely to impact on managing livestock production?
Rights, responsibilities and limitations relating to land ownership, agricultural tenancy, agistment agreements, and environment protection and others may apply.

How do the legal requirements and regulations affect the farm's business?
In the records required to be kept, the permits to be acquired, and/or the notifications to be made for such activities as the control of weeds and pests, handling, transport, storage and use of chemicals, registration of firearms, and product quality.

Which stages of the production process might attract either procedural or mandatory recordkeeping?
Records kept may relate to resourcing, financial control, and environmental and OHS issues. Specifically, these may include breeding, feeding and production, deaths, rations, sales, purchases, natural increase, stock on hand, inputs and services to production, purchased labour, contracting costs, and share-farming costs.

Permits are required for what kind of activity?
Activities that may adversely affect members of the community, the farm's staff and customers, or the environment. These might include chemical application, chemical clean-up, and the transport and movement of stock and equipment.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in managing livestock production requires evidence that decisions are based on sound cost benefit analysis, which includes all real costs to the enterprise, including environmental costs. Competence also requires that all legal and taxation requirements are adhered to and that systems are set in place to ensure compliance. Overall competence will lead to a business that implements innovative techniques and maximises production, while ensuring the health and welfare of the pasture and the livestock.

The skills and knowledge required to manage livestock production must be transferable to a different work environment. For example, across the range of livestock types and the differing management and husbandry techniques that are used.
What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below:

maintaining and promoting livestock health and nutrition
livestock breeding, where appropriate
livestock husbandry and management practices
sustainable land use principles and practices applicable in the region
environmental controls and codes of practice applicable to the enterprise
the whole farm plan
sound management practices and processes to minimise noise, odours and debris from the livestock operations
relevant legislation and regulations relating to soil and water degradation issues, animal health and welfare, and chemical use
relevant OHS legislation, regulations and codes of practice.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These skills are the ability to:

plan and implement the activities contained in livestock production plans
supervise or perform livestock husbandry operations
monitor health and welfare of animals
observe, identify and react appropriately to environmental implications and OHS hazards
analyse and assess the
establish processes/strategies, procedures and controls for livestock production
prepare written plans and procedures for implementation by others
interpret, analyse and extract information from such things as professional literature, legal documents, discussions and workshops
assess, then adopt profitable innovations.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below:

maintaining and promoting livestock health and nutrition
livestock breeding, where appropriate
livestock husbandry and management practices
sustainable land use principles and practices applicable in the region
environmental controls and codes of practice applicable to the enterprise
the whole farm plan
sound management practices and processes to minimise noise, odours and debris from the livestock operations
relevant legislation and regulations relating to soil and water degradation issues, animal health and welfare, and chemical use
relevant OHS legislation, regulations and codes of practice.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These skills are the ability to:

plan and implement the activities contained in livestock production plans
supervise or perform livestock husbandry operations
monitor health and welfare of animals
observe, identify and react appropriately to environmental implications and OHS hazards
analyse and assess the
establish processes/strategies, procedures and controls for livestock production
prepare written plans and procedures for implementation by others
interpret, analyse and extract information from such things as professional literature, legal documents, discussions and workshops
assess, then adopt profitable innovations.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life, which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this competency standard. Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 0 = not required, 1 = perform the process, 2 = perform and administer the process and 3 = perform, administer and design the process.
Communicating ideas and information
By preparing production plans that may be implemented by other people. (3)

Communicating ideas and information
By preparing production plans that may be implemented by other people. (3)

Collecting analysing and organising information
In searching for innovative ideas that may be implemented on the farm. (3)

Collecting analysing and organising information
In searching for innovative ideas that may be implemented on the farm. (3)

Planning and organising activities
In setting up and undertaking the monitoring and management of a range of simultaneous production processes. (3)

Planning and organising activities
In setting up and undertaking the monitoring and management of a range of simultaneous production processes. (3)

Working with others and in teams
In working with others to plan for, test and assess innovations that may be of use in the enterprise. (3)

Working with others and in teams
In working with others to plan for, test and assess innovations that may be of use in the enterprise. (3)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
In ensuring that record keeping is accurate and up-to-date, and in extracting such information as may be needed for taxation or legal compliance. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
In ensuring that record keeping is accurate and up-to-date, and in extracting such information as may be needed for taxation or legal compliance. (2)

Solving problems
In reconciling the benefits of implementing any one of a range of processes with the costs to be paid in doing so. (2)

Solving problems
In reconciling the benefits of implementing any one of a range of processes with the costs to be paid in doing so. (2)

Using technology
In setting up and maintaining record keeping and similar administration systems. (2)

Using technology
In setting up and maintaining record keeping and similar administration systems. (2)