The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
permaculture principles, ethics and practices relating to integrated animal systems, such as:
minimising effort for maximum effect
multiple uses for each element in the system
using more than one way to provide important functions
re-using and valuing resources and energy
animal welfare and freedom from cruelty as part of care for the earth
encouraging productivity of the system
seeing solutions not problems
preventing waste and loss of resources from the system
animal health and welfare requirements, practices and procedures, such as:
maintenance of animal housing, enclosures and fencing, covering hygiene and welfare
ensuring availability of suitable forage, fodder and supplementary feedstuffs, and adjusting stocking rates, ranging and rotation schedules to suit
Coordinating the following integration of animal ranging and maintenance with plant production systems: ranging in orchard to manure trees, reducing weeds, controlling pests, eating windfall fruit, tractoring systems, composting manures and housing litter and maintaining firebreaks
researching, assessing, implementing and monitoring supplementary stock feed requirements, feeding quantities and schedules
researching and applying organic alternatives for treating stock in compliance with organic certification authorities, which may include herbal and homoeopathic treatments, mineral and vitamin supplements and permitted medications
developing appropriate handling procedures to reduce stress
harvesting, sourcing and handling the following useable products: milking, collecting eggs
providing range areas for shade and shelter from climatic extremes through appropriate planting, including forage and fodder plants.
equipment, including feeders and waterers, and back-up systems and alarms in case of equipment failure.
lighting
ventilation including fresh air, dust filters, humidity, and noxious gases.
temperature, including cooling and heating, extreme weather conditions
protection from predators, vermin, fires and floods.
food with diet containing adequate nutrients
water, including sufficient drinkable water to meet livestock requirements and monitoring water quality.
health and distress, with signs of ill-health or distress in animals (as evidenced by behavioural changes) including reduced food and water intake, reduced production, changes in the nature and level of their activity, abnormal condition or changed physical features.
prevention of infectious disease and internal and external parasitism.
transport of growing and adult livestock
animal physiology
animal emergencies, such as:
injury
disease
failure of feeding or watering systems
poisoning
tick fever
birthing difficulties
escapement from housing or enclosures
predator attack
natural disasters such as bushfire, flooding, severe storm, other extreme weather event
relevant animal welfare legislation and codes of practice
animal health and welfare records, such as:
farm livestock records
daily harvest/yield records (eggs, milk)
feeding schedules and rosters
rotation schedules and successional grazing regimes
accident and emergency reports
entries into data base or other management software
worker records and reports
emergency reports
animal morbidity
work procedures and practices
seasonal factors and weather records
questioning client and/or workers
observations from inspecting animal systems
operational practices such as bedding change rotation, cell grazing, alternating flocks
industry animal health requirements
legislative requirements, such as:
compliance with council ordinances
planning approval
licence from government agency
animal welfare legislation
workplace legislation and awards