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 classes of cattle may be considered for feedlotting?
Classes of cattle may include finishing steer calves, yearling steers, two-year-old, and growing steers.

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

What are the factors that affect the nutrition requirements of cattle in feedlots?
Estimation of metabolisable energy, feed conversion efficiency versus growth rate, economic analysis of cost of gain and net, level of management, return per head in terms of feed conversion, level of use of concentrate, animal health programs, and stock turnover rate.

What should be assessed when considering daily nutritional requirements?
Metabolisable energy (ME), protein, calcium, phosphorous, and dry matter.

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

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

What aspects of production might be monitored?
Protein percentage, fat percentage, calcium, dates of formulation and feed changes, dates of supplying various rations to livestock, correlating mortality/livestock behaviour to ration, and measuring body weight gains. Feed monitoring must be undertaken with herd health monitoring when investigating reasons for poor performance.

What would livestock reaction to feed include?
Development of wet faeces, feed time increases, body weight gain drops, mortality increases, and whole grains seen in faeces.

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 classes of cattle may be considered for feedlotting?
Classes of cattle may include finishing steer calves, yearling steers, two-year-old, and growing steers.

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

What are the factors that affect the nutrition requirements of cattle in feedlots?
Estimation of metabolisable energy, feed conversion efficiency versus growth rate, economic analysis of cost of gain and net, level of management, return per head in terms of feed conversion, level of use of concentrate, animal health programs, and stock turnover rate.

What should be assessed when considering daily nutritional requirements?
Metabolisable energy (ME), protein, calcium, phosphorous, and dry matter.

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

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

What aspects of production might be monitored?
Protein percentage, fat percentage, calcium, dates of formulation and feed changes, dates of supplying various rations to livestock, correlating mortality/livestock behaviour to ration, and measuring body weight gains. Feed monitoring must be undertaken with herd health monitoring when investigating reasons for poor performance.

What would livestock reaction to feed include?
Development of wet faeces, feed time increases, body weight gain drops, mortality increases, and whole grains seen in faeces.

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 controlling feedlot operations requires evidence that the ingredients selected for feeding the livestock are appropriate for their health and growth needs, and are supplied at the times and in the methods suited to the particular shed type that is in use.
The skills and knowledge required to control feedlot operations must be transferable to a different work environment. For example, across a range of different livestock 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:

control of common diseases and preventative measures including the placement of medication in feed
rationale for a range of feeding techniques and methods
dietary and nutritional requirements of different livestock classes
growth and development in livestock
physiology of digestion and relationship to feed inputs
appropriate legislative requirements, manufacturers instructions and enterprise procedures/instructions
organisational and industry guidelines for the preparation of feed and mixes
relevant State/Territory legislation, regulations and codes of practice with regard to workplace OHS, and the use and control of machinery and equipment
cleaning and storage of machinery, equipment and materials
seasonal ingredient variations
factors adversely affecting meat quality (such as overfat, bruising, stress) are minimised.

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 discuss feed and nutritional content with nutritionist and managers
identify a range of raw ingredients
assess ration performance used on weight gains, feed times, and make adjustments to ensure required performance parameters are maintained
diagnose feed toxicities
apply feed rates to nutritional profiles
perform basic troubleshooting
read and interpret manufacturers specifications, work and maintenance plans, and Material Safety Data Sheets
measure and calculate volumes, consumption and lubrication requirements
complete the required records of feed use and livestock performance.

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:

control of common diseases and preventative measures including the placement of medication in feed
rationale for a range of feeding techniques and methods
dietary and nutritional requirements of different livestock classes
growth and development in livestock
physiology of digestion and relationship to feed inputs
appropriate legislative requirements, manufacturers instructions and enterprise procedures/instructions
organisational and industry guidelines for the preparation of feed and mixes
relevant State/Territory legislation, regulations and codes of practice with regard to workplace OHS, and the use and control of machinery and equipment
cleaning and storage of machinery, equipment and materials
seasonal ingredient variations
factors adversely affecting meat quality (such as overfat, bruising, stress) are minimised.

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 discuss feed and nutritional content with nutritionist and managers
identify a range of raw ingredients
assess ration performance used on weight gains, feed times, and make adjustments to ensure required performance parameters are maintained
diagnose feed toxicities
apply feed rates to nutritional profiles
perform basic troubleshooting
read and interpret manufacturers specifications, work and maintenance plans, and Material Safety Data Sheets
measure and calculate volumes, consumption and lubrication requirements
complete the required records of feed use and livestock performance.

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
In communicating with feedlot staff and supervisors. (2)

Communicating ideas and information
In communicating with feedlot staff and supervisors. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
In the planning and legislative aspects of the feedlot operation. (3)

Collecting analysing and organising information
In the planning and legislative aspects of the feedlot operation. (3)

Planning and organising activities
By planning and organising activities for feedlot operation. (3)

Planning and organising activities
By planning and organising activities for feedlot operation. (3)

Working with others and in teams
By working with others to achieve property production targets. (3)

Working with others and in teams
By working with others to achieve property production targets. (3)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
When calculating price, quantity, and distance. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
When calculating price, quantity, and distance. (2)

Solving problems
In dealing with problems of supply or finance. (2)

Solving problems
In dealing with problems of supply or finance. (2)

Using technology
When calculating or measuring. (2)

Using technology
When calculating or measuring. (2)