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 does using manufacturers recommendations and industry minimum standards mean?
Original equipment manufacturers will specify maintenance intervals and routines. There are also industry minimum standards set by the Australian Milking Machine Trade Association, which provide guidelines for consumables replacement.

What are the components/consumables that require routine or programmed replacement?
Milking equipment components that may be replaced as a part of regular maintenance routines may include:
rubber ware including liners and tubes
milk filter socks
plastic bowls and claws
'V' Belts
milk pump or pulsator diaphragms
milk line joiners and plugs
receival can seals.

What sort of milking equipment maintenance problems are likely to be identified?
Maintenance problems may include:
broken or worn belts
blocked milk or air lines
blocked air admission holes
broken seals
air or fluid leakages
thermostat or gauge inaccuracies
ineffective milk cooling.

What specialised services may be required?
These may include:
refrigeration mechanics
electricians
milking machine technicians
original equipment manufacturer's representatives
factory field officers.

What are the safe systems of work in the milking shed?
Maintenance of safe systems of work includes:
procedures for the identification of OHS hazards
assessment of risk and effective risk control measures
safety communication
worker induction and training.
Actual hazards may include:
exposed moving parts of machines and equipment such as unguarded belts and pulleys
gate catches
moving platforms
feed augers
unguarded or slippery steps
electrical hazards posed by poorly maintained or deteriorated electrical installations
the risk of zoonoses such as leptospirosis.

What sort of recording procedures are utilised in shed routines?
These may include electronic or manually maintained record of:
cow identification
type and date of cow treatments
withholding periods
quantity of milk
quantity of feed
number of cows.

What are the industry or supplier quality assurance standards?
Quality assurance standards (on-farm milk quality programs) are specified and provided by the dairy factories, for example Murray Goulburn Co-operative Milk Care Program.

What are at-risk cows?
Cattle with clinical mastitis, undergoing antibiotic treatments, or newly calved cows.

What sort of hygiene procedures may be required in the milking shed?
Hygiene procedures and the isolation of milk from at risk cows may include the use of test buckets, flushing of individual claw assemblies, teat sprays and treatments, and the use of appropriate detergents.

What factors may be evidence of poor milk quality?
A deterioration in milk quality may be identified by:
High Bulk Milk Cell Count (BMCC)
the presence of high quantities of sediments
contaminants such as cleaning chemicals, detergents or veterinary chemicals
High Total Plate Counts (TPC)
the presence of colostrum
milk stone.

What are the environmental implications of milking operations?
The effective management of effluent from farm dairies is of prime importance in considering the performance of this unit, as are the impacts of high stock densities with the associated pugging and odour issues.

What does using manufacturers recommendations and industry minimum standards mean?
Original equipment manufacturers will specify maintenance intervals and routines. There are also industry minimum standards set by the Australian Milking Machine Trade Association, which provide guidelines for consumables replacement.

What are the components/consumables that require routine or programmed replacement?
Milking equipment components that may be replaced as a part of regular maintenance routines may include:
rubber ware including liners and tubes
milk filter socks
plastic bowls and claws
'V' Belts
milk pump or pulsator diaphragms
milk line joiners and plugs
receival can seals.

What sort of milking equipment maintenance problems are likely to be identified?
Maintenance problems may include:
broken or worn belts
blocked milk or air lines
blocked air admission holes
broken seals
air or fluid leakages
thermostat or gauge inaccuracies
ineffective milk cooling.

What specialised services may be required?
These may include:
refrigeration mechanics
electricians
milking machine technicians
original equipment manufacturer's representatives
factory field officers.

What are the safe systems of work in the milking shed?
Maintenance of safe systems of work includes:
procedures for the identification of OHS hazards
assessment of risk and effective risk control measures
safety communication
worker induction and training.
Actual hazards may include:
exposed moving parts of machines and equipment such as unguarded belts and pulleys
gate catches
moving platforms
feed augers
unguarded or slippery steps
electrical hazards posed by poorly maintained or deteriorated electrical installations
the risk of zoonoses such as leptospirosis.

What sort of recording procedures are utilised in shed routines?
These may include electronic or manually maintained record of:
cow identification
type and date of cow treatments
withholding periods
quantity of milk
quantity of feed
number of cows.

What are the industry or supplier quality assurance standards?
Quality assurance standards (on-farm milk quality programs) are specified and provided by the dairy factories, for example Murray Goulburn Co-operative Milk Care Program.

What are at-risk cows?
Cattle with clinical mastitis, undergoing antibiotic treatments, or newly calved cows.

What sort of hygiene procedures may be required in the milking shed?
Hygiene procedures and the isolation of milk from at risk cows may include the use of test buckets, flushing of individual claw assemblies, teat sprays and treatments, and the use of appropriate detergents.

What factors may be evidence of poor milk quality?
A deterioration in milk quality may be identified by:
High Bulk Milk Cell Count (BMCC)
the presence of high quantities of sediments
contaminants such as cleaning chemicals, detergents or veterinary chemicals
High Total Plate Counts (TPC)
the presence of colostrum
milk stone.

What are the environmental implications of milking operations?
The effective management of effluent from farm dairies is of prime importance in considering the performance of this unit, as are the impacts of high stock densities with the associated pugging and odour issues.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in management of milking shed routines requires evidence that an individual can effectively manage the daily milk routines. This includes the implementation of regular maintenance and service routines, and the prompt identification of faulty performance and the implementation or the rectification of those faults.
The skills and knowledge required to manage milking shed routines must be transferable to a different work environment. For example, they should be capable of being applied in anything from the smallest walk through shed to the largest rotary installation.
Evidence should include reports of hazard identification, risk assessment and risk controls.
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:

milking equipment types and their components
factors that affect milk quality
how effective and efficient milking operations are carried out
possible causes of deterioration in milk quality
components/specification of milk quality assurance programs
cow health problems that affect milk quality
cow udder health treatments
safe work systems in the dairy
on-farm milk cooling procedures and practice.

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:

effectively and efficiently oversee the conduct of milking operations
work in co-operation with dairy factory personnel to implement milk quality procedures
identify possible causes of declines in milk quality
oversee the routine maintenance and service of milking equipment and replacement of consumables.

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:

milking equipment types and their components
factors that affect milk quality
how effective and efficient milking operations are carried out
possible causes of deterioration in milk quality
components/specification of milk quality assurance programs
cow health problems that affect milk quality
cow udder health treatments
safe work systems in the dairy
on-farm milk cooling procedures and practice.

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:

effectively and efficiently oversee the conduct of milking operations
work in co-operation with dairy factory personnel to implement milk quality procedures
identify possible causes of declines in milk quality
oversee the routine maintenance and service of milking equipment and replacement of consumables.

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
Through effective communication with management, factory field staff, other suppliers and industry service professionals. (2)

Communicating ideas and information
Through effective communication with management, factory field staff, other suppliers and industry service professionals. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Milk quality records as well as animal health and production information will be collated as a part of the performance of this unit. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Milk quality records as well as animal health and production information will be collated as a part of the performance of this unit. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Programmed maintenance, service activities, hygiene procedure and quality controls will require planning to ensure that equipment performance is maximised. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Programmed maintenance, service activities, hygiene procedure and quality controls will require planning to ensure that equipment performance is maximised. (2)

Working with others and in teams
The conduct of milking operations is a team activity and requires effective participation as a team member. (2)

Working with others and in teams
The conduct of milking operations is a team activity and requires effective participation as a team member. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematical techniques and numeracy skills are required for the collection and collation of data as well as the calculation of a range of factors associated with milk production. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematical techniques and numeracy skills are required for the collection and collation of data as well as the calculation of a range of factors associated with milk production. (2)

Solving problems
Problems of poor milk quality will require the use of observational as well as problem-solving skills in the performance of this unit. (2)

Solving problems
Problems of poor milk quality will require the use of observational as well as problem-solving skills in the performance of this unit. (2)

Using technology
A range of technologies will be utilised including the use of testing, performance measuring and communication equipment. (2)

Using technology
A range of technologies will be utilised including the use of testing, performance measuring and communication equipment. (2)