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 situations available.

What animals are covered by this unit?
Animals covered by this process include cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, horses and other commercially produced animals.

What hygiene factors need to be considered?
Sterile equipment and clean work sites including restraining areas are essential to the insemination process.

Who might be considered to be appropriate and reliable sources?
These should be legitimate and industry recognised suppliers of semen.

What are the key considerations when storing semen?
Semen needs to be stored at the correct temperature prior to use, and in a safe and secure environment.

How might animals be prepared for artificial insemination?
Observation and checking/teasing of animal to ensure animal is at correct stage of oestrus cycle. Techniques such as puberty stimulation may be used.

What personal protective equipment might be used?
Boots, overalls, gloves, and sun protection (sun hat, sunscreen).

What OHS requirements are relevant to this standard?
Safe animal handling systems and procedures including zoonoses control (Q Fever), identify hazards, assess and report risks, and safe manual handling systems and procedures. Safe systems and procedures for the application and storage of hazardous substances (drenches, vaccines), and the handling of veterinary equipment (syringes, needles, vaccines). Safe systems and procedures for outdoor work including protection from solar radiation, and the appropriate use of personal protective equipment.

What is involved in preparing semen before artificial insemination?
Straws are checked for correct sire identification and semen is thawed in readiness for insemination.

What insemination equipment might need to be sterile and clean?
Harnesses and restraints, gloves and pipettes.

How might the intended recipient be correctly identified?
Stud records, papers, and fixed identification (markings, colour, brands).

How might intended recipients be prepared for artificial insemination?
Observation and checking/teasing of animal to ensure animal is at correct stage of oestrus cycle/ovulation. If frozen semen is being used, then accurate scanning of ovulation will be required to ensure that the animal is inseminated within 15 minutes of ovulation. Washing and hygienic preparation of the vulva area, identification, completion of appropriate records, and regular follicle checks. Scanning.

How might data on insemination process be recorded?
In electronic or hard copy.

What might necessary modifications relate to?
Breed preferences, sire selection, identification of good and quality producers, and insemination processes and procedures.

What waste might there be?
Disposable equipment such as single use rubber gloves, pipettes and straws.

What animals are covered by this unit?
Animals covered by this process include cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, horses and other commercially produced animals.

What hygiene factors need to be considered?
Sterile equipment and clean work sites including restraining areas are essential to the insemination process.

Who might be considered to be appropriate and reliable sources?
These should be legitimate and industry recognised suppliers of semen.

What are the key considerations when storing semen?
Semen needs to be stored at the correct temperature prior to use, and in a safe and secure environment.

How might animals be prepared for artificial insemination?
Observation and checking/teasing of animal to ensure animal is at correct stage of oestrus cycle. Techniques such as puberty stimulation may be used.

What personal protective equipment might be used?
Boots, overalls, gloves, and sun protection (sun hat, sunscreen).

What OHS requirements are relevant to this standard?
Safe animal handling systems and procedures including zoonoses control (Q Fever), identify hazards, assess and report risks, and safe manual handling systems and procedures. Safe systems and procedures for the application and storage of hazardous substances (drenches, vaccines), and the handling of veterinary equipment (syringes, needles, vaccines). Safe systems and procedures for outdoor work including protection from solar radiation, and the appropriate use of personal protective equipment.

What is involved in preparing semen before artificial insemination?
Straws are checked for correct sire identification and semen is thawed in readiness for insemination.

What insemination equipment might need to be sterile and clean?
Harnesses and restraints, gloves and pipettes.

How might the intended recipient be correctly identified?
Stud records, papers, and fixed identification (markings, colour, brands).

How might intended recipients be prepared for artificial insemination?
Observation and checking/teasing of animal to ensure animal is at correct stage of oestrus cycle/ovulation. If frozen semen is being used, then accurate scanning of ovulation will be required to ensure that the animal is inseminated within 15 minutes of ovulation. Washing and hygienic preparation of the vulva area, identification, completion of appropriate records, and regular follicle checks. Scanning.

How might data on insemination process be recorded?
In electronic or hard copy.

What might necessary modifications relate to?
Breed preferences, sire selection, identification of good and quality producers, and insemination processes and procedures.

What waste might there be?
Disposable equipment such as single use rubber gloves, pipettes and straws.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in artificially inseminating animals requires evidence of the ability to prepare for artificial insemination, to match straws to animal, prepare semen and inseminate animals. In addition, it requires the ability to handle animals humanely and safely, and to clean up work areas and equipment and record data.
The skills and knowledge required to artificially inseminate animals must be transferable to another rural workplace. For example this may include different animal breeds, types and insemination techniques.
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:

working knowledge of enterprises herd improvement or animal production plan
basic breeding principles, including the oestrus cycle and its significance
pregnancy testing
animal health and abnormalities
semen thawing techniques
preparation requirements for artificial insemination of animals
animal movement and behavioural characteristics
harness and restraint equipment, components and functions
handling techniques, restraint methods and when to use them
enterprise and industry identification system for animals
personal protective equipment and when and how it should be used
relevant State/Territory legislation, regulations and codes of practice with regard to workplace OHS and animal welfare
legislative and regulatory controls with regard to artificial insemination
enterprise and industry policies with regard to artificial insemination, and recording and reporting routines.

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:

sterilise equipment and prepare hygienic worksite prior to insemination procedures
identify and record animals on heat
observe animals on heat to detect correct insemination timing
employ safe work practices
clean up work site and safely dispose of waste
communicate effectively with other teams members, veterinarians and/or licensed inseminators.

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:

working knowledge of enterprises herd improvement or animal production plan
basic breeding principles, including the oestrus cycle and its significance
pregnancy testing
animal health and abnormalities
semen thawing techniques
preparation requirements for artificial insemination of animals
animal movement and behavioural characteristics
harness and restraint equipment, components and functions
handling techniques, restraint methods and when to use them
enterprise and industry identification system for animals
personal protective equipment and when and how it should be used
relevant State/Territory legislation, regulations and codes of practice with regard to workplace OHS and animal welfare
legislative and regulatory controls with regard to artificial insemination
enterprise and industry policies with regard to artificial insemination, and recording and reporting routines.

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:

sterilise equipment and prepare hygienic worksite prior to insemination procedures
identify and record animals on heat
observe animals on heat to detect correct insemination timing
employ safe work practices
clean up work site and safely dispose of waste
communicate effectively with other teams members, veterinarians and/or licensed inseminators.

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
Insemination processes and animal behaviour may be observed and accurately reported for correct action to occur. (1)

Communicating ideas and information
Insemination processes and animal behaviour may be observed and accurately reported for correct action to occur. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Details of insemination processes and outcomes and herd management may be observed and monitored for analysis, and organised by records and reports. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Details of insemination processes and outcomes and herd management may be observed and monitored for analysis, and organised by records and reports. (1)

Planning and organising activities
Insemination schedule monitoring activities may be planned and organised to ensure optimum results. (1)

Planning and organising activities
Insemination schedule monitoring activities may be planned and organised to ensure optimum results. (1)

Working with others and in teams
Team work may be applied in methods and procedures to handle and inseminate animals. (1)

Working with others and in teams
Team work may be applied in methods and procedures to handle and inseminate animals. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematics may be applied to calculate oestrus cycles and optimum time for insemination. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematics may be applied to calculate oestrus cycles and optimum time for insemination. (1)

Solving problems
Insemination procedures may require remedial action to ensure correct semen is identified, and to avoid any complications at the time of insemination. (1)

Solving problems
Insemination procedures may require remedial action to ensure correct semen is identified, and to avoid any complications at the time of insemination. (1)

Using technology
To communicate, calculate and record animal insemination procedural data and herd management data. (1)

Using technology
To communicate, calculate and record animal insemination procedural data and herd management data. (1)