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 contexts.

What range of machinery and equipment may be applicable to this standard?
Tractors, seed drills, air seeders, plough, harrows, cultivators, scarifiers, trucks, augers and bins.

What may be included in a work plan?
Location, crop type (cereals, pulses, legumes, cotton, oilseeds, pasture seeds) and seeding method, soil condition (structure, moisture), seeding practices (sowing time, sowing rate, optimal depth of sowing, seed dressing, tilth to match seed size), fertiliser type and application, pest and weed control type and application, machinery, equipment, resources and materials requirements, supervisors instructions, timeframe for work completion and reporting requirements.

What might be involved in the preparation of machinery and equipment?
Preparation may include safe transporting, inspection, pre-start and safety checks, routine servicing and maintenance, calibration, checking and monitoring machinery settings.

What OHS requirements may be relevant to this standard?
Systems and procedures for:
the safe operation and maintenance of machinery and equipment including hydraulics and guarding of exposed moving parts.
identify hazards, assessing and reporting risks.
emergency operating procedures.
safe lifting, carrying and handling techniques.
manual handling systems and procedures, handling and storage of hazardous substances and grain, and the appropriate use of personal protective clothing and equipment.
Safe systems and procedures for outdoor work including protection from solar radiation, protection of people in the workplace, protection from hazardous noise, mechanical vibration, organic and other dusts, and protection from fire risk.

What existing and potential OHS hazards may be encountered in the workplace?
Exposure to loud noise and fumes, solar radiation, dust, ergonomic hazards associated with posture and vibration, hazardous substances, the presence of bystanders, slippery or uneven terrain, potholes, stumps, ditches, gullies, embankments, obstacles (rocks, logs, fences, debris), adverse weather conditions, mechanical malfunctions and exposed moving parts, and other machinery including hydraulics.

What enterprise requirements may apply to this standard?
Standard operating procedures (SOPs), industry standards, production schedules, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), work notes, product labels, manufacturers specifications, operators manuals, enterprise policies and procedures (including waste disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines), OHS procedures, supervisors oral or written instructions, and work plans.

What agricultural crops does this unit cover?
Agricultural crops covered by this unit include wheat and coarse grains, cotton, grain legumes, oilseeds, sugar, temperate and tropical pastures.

On what basis might optimal seeding conditions be determined?
This may be based on the history of seasonal weather providing a reasonable risk for dry seeding, and soil moisture conditions appropriate for grains crop germination.

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

What environmental implications may be associated with sowing operations?
Positive environmental impacts may result from the conduct of sustainable land use practices including stubble retention, minimum tillage, and contour sowing to reduce erosion risks. It may also include the use of non-chemical alternatives for pesticides and cleaning agents, effective water re-use systems, and the reduction of noise and exhaust emissions.
Negative environmental impacts may result from high activity vehicle traffic and over-cultivation practices causing erosion, increased water run-off speeds, soil compaction, soil disturbance and loss, soil degradation, dust, contamination of soil and water through the use of fertiliser and chemicals, spray drift, incorrect use and disposal of chemicals and residues, oils and containers, greases, and detergents used in cleaning and maintenance procedures.

What range of machinery and equipment may be applicable to this standard?
Tractors, seed drills, air seeders, plough, harrows, cultivators, scarifiers, trucks, augers and bins.

What may be included in a work plan?
Location, crop type (cereals, pulses, legumes, cotton, oilseeds, pasture seeds) and seeding method, soil condition (structure, moisture), seeding practices (sowing time, sowing rate, optimal depth of sowing, seed dressing, tilth to match seed size), fertiliser type and application, pest and weed control type and application, machinery, equipment, resources and materials requirements, supervisors instructions, timeframe for work completion and reporting requirements.

What might be involved in the preparation of machinery and equipment?
Preparation may include safe transporting, inspection, pre-start and safety checks, routine servicing and maintenance, calibration, checking and monitoring machinery settings.

What OHS requirements may be relevant to this standard?
Systems and procedures for:
the safe operation and maintenance of machinery and equipment including hydraulics and guarding of exposed moving parts.
identify hazards, assessing and reporting risks.
emergency operating procedures.
safe lifting, carrying and handling techniques.
manual handling systems and procedures, handling and storage of hazardous substances and grain, and the appropriate use of personal protective clothing and equipment.
Safe systems and procedures for outdoor work including protection from solar radiation, protection of people in the workplace, protection from hazardous noise, mechanical vibration, organic and other dusts, and protection from fire risk.

What existing and potential OHS hazards may be encountered in the workplace?
Exposure to loud noise and fumes, solar radiation, dust, ergonomic hazards associated with posture and vibration, hazardous substances, the presence of bystanders, slippery or uneven terrain, potholes, stumps, ditches, gullies, embankments, obstacles (rocks, logs, fences, debris), adverse weather conditions, mechanical malfunctions and exposed moving parts, and other machinery including hydraulics.

What enterprise requirements may apply to this standard?
Standard operating procedures (SOPs), industry standards, production schedules, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), work notes, product labels, manufacturers specifications, operators manuals, enterprise policies and procedures (including waste disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines), OHS procedures, supervisors oral or written instructions, and work plans.

What agricultural crops does this unit cover?
Agricultural crops covered by this unit include wheat and coarse grains, cotton, grain legumes, oilseeds, sugar, temperate and tropical pastures.

On what basis might optimal seeding conditions be determined?
This may be based on the history of seasonal weather providing a reasonable risk for dry seeding, and soil moisture conditions appropriate for grains crop germination.

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

What environmental implications may be associated with sowing operations?
Positive environmental impacts may result from the conduct of sustainable land use practices including stubble retention, minimum tillage, and contour sowing to reduce erosion risks. It may also include the use of non-chemical alternatives for pesticides and cleaning agents, effective water re-use systems, and the reduction of noise and exhaust emissions.
Negative environmental impacts may result from high activity vehicle traffic and over-cultivation practices causing erosion, increased water run-off speeds, soil compaction, soil disturbance and loss, soil degradation, dust, contamination of soil and water through the use of fertiliser and chemicals, spray drift, incorrect use and disposal of chemicals and residues, oils and containers, greases, and detergents used in cleaning and maintenance procedures.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in establishing agricultural crops requires evidence of the ability to select and utilise various features and controls of a range of specialised application equipment to seed and fertilise a grains crop. It involves the ability to prepare and service machinery and equipment, assess soil and weather conditions and determine appropriate seeding methods, prepare seeds for planting, seed to plan ensuring optimum range of depth and density, recognise and control hazards, evaluate seeding operations and maintain records. Evidence must also be demonstrated in safe workplace and environmentally responsible practices.
The skills and knowledge required to establish agricultural crops must be transferable to a different work environment. For example this may include different crops, planting techniques, machinery and enterprises.
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:

crop types, preparation of seeds, seeding methods and application techniques
fertiliser types, rates of application and crop nutrient requirements
types of herbicides, insecticides and other pesticides, and alternative pest control methods (non-chemical)
effects of weather conditions (normal and adverse) on seeding and fertilising applications
operating principles and operating methods for machinery and equipment
pre-operational and safety checks, servicing and maintenance procedures for seeding machinery and equipment
principles of weight distribution with regard to load shifting and vehicle movement
sustainable land management and soil conservation techniques
positive environmental practices, negative environmental impacts and minimisation measures associated with seeding operations
relevant State/Territory legislation, regulations and codes of practice with regard to workplace OHS and the use and control of hazardous substances
relevant State/Territory legislation and regulations with regard to licensing requirements and the use and control of machinery and equipment
personal protective clothing and equipment and when and how it should be used
procedures for cleaning, securing and storing machinery, equipment and materials
enterprise policies with regard to seeding operations, and recording and reporting routines.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

apply fertiliser, herbicides, insecticides, other pesticides and hazardous substances safely
identify types of weeds and insects harmful to crops
perform pre-operational and safety checks, servicing and maintenance on machinery and equipment
calibrate, operate machinery and attach/detach equipment
demonstrate emergency operating procedures in normal and adverse conditions
recognise and report machinery damage, faults or malfunctions and perform minor repairs
demonstrate safe, environmentally responsible and sustainable land management practices
monitor and minimise impacts to the environment associated with sowing operations
read and interpret manufacturers specifications, work and maintenance plans, and MSDS
obtain relevant licences and permits
clean, secure and store machinery and equipment
interpret and apply task instructions, communicate with work team and supervisor, and record and report equipment faults, workplace hazards and accidents
assess and calculate the application of fertiliser/pesticide requirements and application rates, calibrate equipment and calculate volumes, consumption and servicing requirements.

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:

crop types, preparation of seeds, seeding methods and application techniques
fertiliser types, rates of application and crop nutrient requirements
types of herbicides, insecticides and other pesticides, and alternative pest control methods (non-chemical)
effects of weather conditions (normal and adverse) on seeding and fertilising applications
operating principles and operating methods for machinery and equipment
pre-operational and safety checks, servicing and maintenance procedures for seeding machinery and equipment
principles of weight distribution with regard to load shifting and vehicle movement
sustainable land management and soil conservation techniques
positive environmental practices, negative environmental impacts and minimisation measures associated with seeding operations
relevant State/Territory legislation, regulations and codes of practice with regard to workplace OHS and the use and control of hazardous substances
relevant State/Territory legislation and regulations with regard to licensing requirements and the use and control of machinery and equipment
personal protective clothing and equipment and when and how it should be used
procedures for cleaning, securing and storing machinery, equipment and materials
enterprise policies with regard to seeding operations, and recording and reporting routines.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

apply fertiliser, herbicides, insecticides, other pesticides and hazardous substances safely
identify types of weeds and insects harmful to crops
perform pre-operational and safety checks, servicing and maintenance on machinery and equipment
calibrate, operate machinery and attach/detach equipment
demonstrate emergency operating procedures in normal and adverse conditions
recognise and report machinery damage, faults or malfunctions and perform minor repairs
demonstrate safe, environmentally responsible and sustainable land management practices
monitor and minimise impacts to the environment associated with sowing operations
read and interpret manufacturers specifications, work and maintenance plans, and MSDS
obtain relevant licences and permits
clean, secure and store machinery and equipment
interpret and apply task instructions, communicate with work team and supervisor, and record and report equipment faults, workplace hazards and accidents
assess and calculate the application of fertiliser/pesticide requirements and application rates, calibrate equipment and calculate volumes, consumption and servicing requirements.

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
Information and ideas with regard to implementing seeding operations may be discussed with colleagues, supervisor and industry participants. (1)

Communicating ideas and information
Information and ideas with regard to implementing seeding operations may be discussed with colleagues, supervisor and industry participants. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Information with regard to evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of the seeding program may be observed and recorded for analysis and organised by reports. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Information with regard to evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of the seeding program may be observed and recorded for analysis and organised by reports. (1)

Planning and organising activities
Activities involving maintenance and repairs to machinery and equipment may be planned and co-ordinated around seeding schedules or sequenced as required. (1)

Planning and organising activities
Activities involving maintenance and repairs to machinery and equipment may be planned and co-ordinated around seeding schedules or sequenced as required. (1)

Working with others and in teams
Teamwork may be applied in methods and procedures to complete seeding operations in accordance with work plan requirements. (1)

Working with others and in teams
Teamwork may be applied in methods and procedures to complete seeding operations in accordance with work plan requirements. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematics may be applied in the calibration of machinery and equipment, and the calculation and measurement of fertiliser and pesticide rates and applications. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematics may be applied in the calibration of machinery and equipment, and the calculation and measurement of fertiliser and pesticide rates and applications. (1)

Solving problems
Contingency plans may be implemented in the event of adverse weather conditions to minimise disruptions to seeding operations. (1)

Solving problems
Contingency plans may be implemented in the event of adverse weather conditions to minimise disruptions to seeding operations. (1)

Using technology
To communicate, measure and record information with regard to seeding program outcomes. (1)

Using technology
To communicate, measure and record information with regard to seeding program outcomes. (1)