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 livestock are covered by this unit?
Livestock covered by this unit include pigs and poultry in all production systems, shedded sheep, feedlot and dairy cattle.

How might livestock condition be assessed?
Livestock condition may be assessed by weighing, condition scoring, and body condition.

What enterprise requirements may be applicable?
SOP, industry standards, production schedules, MSDS, work notes and plans, product labels, manufacturers specifications, operators manuals, enterprise policies and procedures (including waste disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines), and managers oral or written instructions.

What information may be included in a feeding plan?
Feeding plans may include information with regard to supplementary feeding pattern, feed purchases, minimum livestock condition levels, and production requirements.

What actions could be taken to eliminate or minimise OHS risk?
The range of actions are both systemic and at an operational level. These are listed below:

What personal protective clothing and equipment may be relevant to this standard?
Boots, hats/hard hat, overalls, gloves, protective eyewear, hearing protection, respirator or face mask, and sun protection (sun hat, sunscreen).

Will the feed always be mixed on-site?
Not necessarily. In some organisations it is more common to feed the livestock pre-prepared feed with occasional additives, but in others there is a preference for feed measured and mixed on-site.

What are the ingredients of a feed mix?
The mix might consist of prepared and formulated proprietary rations, liquid feeds, whole grains, protein additives, and/or vitamins and minerals.

A feed mill operation is considered to be a food manufacturing facility, and should be operated under the same hygiene expectancy as human facilities. What will this require?
This will require rodent control, dust management, no rat or bird faecal contamination of feeds or raw ingredients, and feed not being wet.

What may feed milling include?
It may include hammer milling and roller milling.

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 actions will require documentation?
All chemical usage should be recorded as well as any necessary recording of vehicle and equipment use in logbooks, for example. Additionally, any assessment of pests and weeds, quality, module weights, breakdowns and yield should be recorded appropriately.

What livestock are covered by this unit?
Livestock covered by this unit include pigs and poultry in all production systems, shedded sheep, feedlot and dairy cattle.

How might livestock condition be assessed?
Livestock condition may be assessed by weighing, condition scoring, and body condition.

What enterprise requirements may be applicable?
SOP, industry standards, production schedules, MSDS, work notes and plans, product labels, manufacturers specifications, operators manuals, enterprise policies and procedures (including waste disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines), and managers oral or written instructions.

What information may be included in a feeding plan?
Feeding plans may include information with regard to supplementary feeding pattern, feed purchases, minimum livestock condition levels, and production requirements.

What actions could be taken to eliminate or minimise OHS risk?
The range of actions are both systemic and at an operational level. These are listed below:

What personal protective clothing and equipment may be relevant to this standard?
Boots, hats/hard hat, overalls, gloves, protective eyewear, hearing protection, respirator or face mask, and sun protection (sun hat, sunscreen).

Will the feed always be mixed on-site?
Not necessarily. In some organisations it is more common to feed the livestock pre-prepared feed with occasional additives, but in others there is a preference for feed measured and mixed on-site.

What are the ingredients of a feed mix?
The mix might consist of prepared and formulated proprietary rations, liquid feeds, whole grains, protein additives, and/or vitamins and minerals.

A feed mill operation is considered to be a food manufacturing facility, and should be operated under the same hygiene expectancy as human facilities. What will this require?
This will require rodent control, dust management, no rat or bird faecal contamination of feeds or raw ingredients, and feed not being wet.

What may feed milling include?
It may include hammer milling and roller milling.

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 actions will require documentation?
All chemical usage should be recorded as well as any necessary recording of vehicle and equipment use in logbooks, for example. Additionally, any assessment of pests and weeds, quality, module weights, breakdowns and yield should be recorded appropriately.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in implementing feeding plans for intensive production requires evidence that feeding plans are accurately interpreted and resources are allocated efficiently to achieve the required outcomes.
The skills and knowledge required to coordinate and monitor intensive production performance must be transferable to a different work environment. For example, this could include different production systems as well as a range of livestock breeds and classes.
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:

silo operations and configuration, machinery and operating practices
cleaning and storage of machinery, equipment and materials
enterprise recording and reporting procedures
raw ingredients - grains, meals
vitamins, minerals and premix formulations
the implications of grain incorporating chemical, insect and fungal contamination - this includes an awareness of the industry process already to monitor these contaminants - the National Residue Survey (NRS), the National Antibiotic Residue Minimisation (NARM), and programmed basket surveys
safe operation of machinery
contaminants of raws and meals that could reduce performance - seeds, moulds, nutritional and disease factors which can influence product quality
evidence of spoilage and handling spoilt feeds.

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:

identify a range of grain types and qualities
identify grain contaminants
identify premixes and weigh out
mix feeds and ingredients
identify basic mixing problems
relate flock performance data to ration consistency
recognise and rectify minor operational faults
read and interpret manufacturers specifications, work and maintenance plans, and Material Safety Data Sheets
interpret and apply task instructions, communicate with work team and supervisor, and record and report faults, workplace hazards and accidents
measure and calculate volumes and consumption requirements
complete records and documentation of feed use and volumes for the shed
take and prepare feed samples for dispatch to the laboratory
use machinery and equipment associated with mixing and milling feed, such as augers and mills
perform routine maintenance of milling and mixing equipment
take silo readings.

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:

silo operations and configuration, machinery and operating practices
cleaning and storage of machinery, equipment and materials
enterprise recording and reporting procedures
raw ingredients - grains, meals
vitamins, minerals and premix formulations
the implications of grain incorporating chemical, insect and fungal contamination - this includes an awareness of the industry process already to monitor these contaminants - the National Residue Survey (NRS), the National Antibiotic Residue Minimisation (NARM), and programmed basket surveys
safe operation of machinery
contaminants of raws and meals that could reduce performance - seeds, moulds, nutritional and disease factors which can influence product quality
evidence of spoilage and handling spoilt feeds.

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:

identify a range of grain types and qualities
identify grain contaminants
identify premixes and weigh out
mix feeds and ingredients
identify basic mixing problems
relate flock performance data to ration consistency
recognise and rectify minor operational faults
read and interpret manufacturers specifications, work and maintenance plans, and Material Safety Data Sheets
interpret and apply task instructions, communicate with work team and supervisor, and record and report faults, workplace hazards and accidents
measure and calculate volumes and consumption requirements
complete records and documentation of feed use and volumes for the shed
take and prepare feed samples for dispatch to the laboratory
use machinery and equipment associated with mixing and milling feed, such as augers and mills
perform routine maintenance of milling and mixing equipment
take silo readings.

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
Communicating with employer and feed merchants regarding performance of nutrition of livestock. (2)

Communicating ideas and information
Communicating with employer and feed merchants regarding performance of nutrition of livestock. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Collecting, analysing and organising information in preparing to measure, weight and mix feed. (3)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Collecting, analysing and organising information in preparing to measure, weight and mix feed. (3)

Planning and organising activities
In ordering, storing and rotating feed in the silos and the shed(s). (2)

Planning and organising activities
In ordering, storing and rotating feed in the silos and the shed(s). (2)

Working with others and in teams
Working with teams and others in assisting with the movement of ingredients. (3)

Working with others and in teams
Working with teams and others in assisting with the movement of ingredients. (3)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Using mathematical ideas and techniques in calculating premix weights or medications. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Using mathematical ideas and techniques in calculating premix weights or medications. (2)

Solving problems
Solving problems in identifying and reporting production drops coinciding with feed changes. (2)

Solving problems
Solving problems in identifying and reporting production drops coinciding with feed changes. (2)

Using technology
Using technology in operating grinders, forklifts, and with calculating equipment. (2)

Using technology
Using technology in operating grinders, forklifts, and with calculating equipment. (2)