Elements and Performance Criteria

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

What animals does this unit cover?
Animals covered by this unit include beef and dairy cattle, sheep, goats and pigs.

What personal protective equipment may be relevant to this standard?
This may include boots, overalls, gloves, protective eyewear, hearing protection, respirator or face mask, and sun protection (sun hat, sunscreen).

What procedures may be implemented to control and sort livestock?
Procedures may include the appropriate use of handling equipment with minimum force, a reasonable amount of time for livestock to complete movement, and the use of positive and calming techniques. For some animals, dogs may also be used to assist in the controlling and directing of livestock.

What OHS requirements may be relevant to this standard?
Safe systems and procedures for:
handling livestock including zoonoses control
operating handling equipment
hazard and risk control
manual handling
handling, application and storage of hazardous substances
outdoor work including protection from solar radiation, dust and noise
the appropriate use and maintenance of personal protective equipment
tattooing and branding livestock
using slap brands or tattoos, and back fat testing.

What livestock identification devices might be used?
Livestock identification devices may include tattoos, brands, ear tags (electronic, bar-coded and visually readable), rumen boluses or other devices that may be part of an industry-based identification scheme.

What tools and equipment might be used in the conduct of this unit?
Equipment such as identification devices and associated application equipment, tools for testing back fat, and tools for tattooing may all be used at various stages of this activity.

What existing and potential hazards may be encountered in the workplace?
Livestock movement and handling, solar radiation, organic and other dusts, excessive noise, moving machinery and vehicles.

What environmental implications may be associated with livestock production?
Negative environmental impacts may result from high density livestock activity, particularly in holding or confined areas, causing odour, increased run-off flows, loss of ground cover, soil disturbance, pugging, dust problems, weed seeds in animal manure, and contamination of ground and surface water supplies.

What industry and/or enterprise criteria and guidelines may be relevant when grading/selecting livestock?
Breeding stock may be graded/selected according to desirable and undesirable conformation, temperament and performance, back fat depth at the P2 site, growth rate, breeding lines, overall conformation and physical soundness or other criteria.
Livestock for market may be graded/selected according to recognised industry grading criteria such as breed, sex, condition, tattoo, and body tattoo, ear tag/notch, electronic implants, and age-weight (growth period/stage).

What relevant information might be recorded and reported?
Livestock numbers, details of administered preventative health treatments and outcomes, appraisal results, back fat test results, conformation, temperament and performance details, weight and condition scoring and any observed abnormalities.

How might information be documented?
Record keeping systems used may be either paper-based or digital, and information will be recorded into logbooks or other records.

What animals does this unit cover?
Animals covered by this unit include beef and dairy cattle, sheep, goats and pigs.

What personal protective equipment may be relevant to this standard?
This may include boots, overalls, gloves, protective eyewear, hearing protection, respirator or face mask, and sun protection (sun hat, sunscreen).

What procedures may be implemented to control and sort livestock?
Procedures may include the appropriate use of handling equipment with minimum force, a reasonable amount of time for livestock to complete movement, and the use of positive and calming techniques. For some animals, dogs may also be used to assist in the controlling and directing of livestock.

What OHS requirements may be relevant to this standard?
Safe systems and procedures for:
handling livestock including zoonoses control
operating handling equipment
hazard and risk control
manual handling
handling, application and storage of hazardous substances
outdoor work including protection from solar radiation, dust and noise
the appropriate use and maintenance of personal protective equipment
tattooing and branding livestock
using slap brands or tattoos, and back fat testing.

What livestock identification devices might be used?
Livestock identification devices may include tattoos, brands, ear tags (electronic, bar-coded and visually readable), rumen boluses or other devices that may be part of an industry-based identification scheme.

What tools and equipment might be used in the conduct of this unit?
Equipment such as identification devices and associated application equipment, tools for testing back fat, and tools for tattooing may all be used at various stages of this activity.

What existing and potential hazards may be encountered in the workplace?
Livestock movement and handling, solar radiation, organic and other dusts, excessive noise, moving machinery and vehicles.

What environmental implications may be associated with livestock production?
Negative environmental impacts may result from high density livestock activity, particularly in holding or confined areas, causing odour, increased run-off flows, loss of ground cover, soil disturbance, pugging, dust problems, weed seeds in animal manure, and contamination of ground and surface water supplies.

What industry and/or enterprise criteria and guidelines may be relevant when grading/selecting livestock?
Breeding stock may be graded/selected according to desirable and undesirable conformation, temperament and performance, back fat depth at the P2 site, growth rate, breeding lines, overall conformation and physical soundness or other criteria.
Livestock for market may be graded/selected according to recognised industry grading criteria such as breed, sex, condition, tattoo, and body tattoo, ear tag/notch, electronic implants, and age-weight (growth period/stage).

What relevant information might be recorded and reported?
Livestock numbers, details of administered preventative health treatments and outcomes, appraisal results, back fat test results, conformation, temperament and performance details, weight and condition scoring and any observed abnormalities.

How might information be documented?
Record keeping systems used may be either paper-based or digital, and information will be recorded into logbooks or other records.

Competence in identifying and selecting animals for breeding or sale requires evidence of the ability to identify criteria for animal selection, control and sort livestock, safely and humanely apply identification devices, and appraise and grade animals.
The skills and knowledge required to identify and draft animals for sale must be transferable to a different work environment. For example this may include different types of animals and different enterprise production outcomes.
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:

handling techniques and restraint methods
environmental codes of practice with regard to livestock production
enterprise and industry grading/selection animal identification procedures
selection criteria for breeding stock

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

recognise animals unfit for transport
provide due care in the handling of livestock
recognise livestock abnormalities
read and comprehend oral and written information and instructions, write basic statements and maintain livestock handling records
read and interpret cost sheets, production information, target statistics, quantities of feed and other inputs, job performance audits
prepare and present production and other information in a manner that is readily accessible for both management and operators.

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:

handling techniques and restraint methods
environmental codes of practice with regard to livestock production
enterprise and industry grading/selection animal identification procedures
selection criteria for breeding stock

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

recognise animals unfit for transport
provide due care in the handling of livestock
recognise livestock abnormalities
read and comprehend oral and written information and instructions, write basic statements and maintain livestock handling records
read and interpret cost sheets, production information, target statistics, quantities of feed and other inputs, job performance audits
prepare and present production and other information in a manner that is readily accessible for both management and operators.

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
To determine numbers of animals for selection for breeding or marketing and customer requirements. (2)

Communicating ideas and information
To determine numbers of animals for selection for breeding or marketing and customer requirements. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
While recording weights, back fat and conformation scores. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
While recording weights, back fat and conformation scores. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Preparing handling areas and equipment and ensuring access routes are clear and free of obstacles may be planned and organised prior to livestock movement. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Preparing handling areas and equipment and ensuring access routes are clear and free of obstacles may be planned and organised prior to livestock movement. (2)

Working with others and in teams
Teamwork may be applied in methods and procedures to move and conduct livestock and to complete placement of identification tags or marks. (2)

Working with others and in teams
Teamwork may be applied in methods and procedures to move and conduct livestock and to complete placement of identification tags or marks. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
To develop selection grids for breeding stock. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
To develop selection grids for breeding stock. (2)

Solving problems
When selecting and sorting animals in relation to marketing/breeding requirements. (2)

Solving problems
When selecting and sorting animals in relation to marketing/breeding requirements. (2)

Using technology
To communicate, record livestock numbers and data, and weigh livestock. (2)

Using technology
To communicate, record livestock numbers and data, and weigh livestock. (2)