Elements and Performance Criteria
- Prepare for forage conservation
- Determine forage conservation options from the production plan.
- Identify risk factors for spoilage in forage conservation such as fire, vermin and air in silage.
- Confirm that paddock conditions are suitable for forage production.
- Prepare forage conservation machinery and equipment in accordance with manufacturer's specifications, Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements and industry practice.
- Ensure clear access to paddocks for harvesting and transport machinery.
- Prepare storage facility for selected forage conservation method.
- Prepare paddocks for forage conservation
- Make forage
- Identify safety hazards and implement OHS procedures for forage conservation.
- Monitor weather conditions to determine optimum time for harvest and to ensure quality.
- Identify dry matter target and assess dry matter content of forage material for the forage operation.
- Mow, condition, tedder and/or rake swaths depending on weather conditions and forage drying targets.
- Conduct harvesting activities in a safe, controlled and efficient manner.
- Check equipment during harvesting operations regularly for wear and damage.
- Bale, wrap, compact, seal or store forage in accordance with storage plan.
- Load, transport, and store/compact (if required) forage in accordance with OHS and quality requirements.
- Store forage so as to minimise risk of spoilage and combustion.
- Complete operations
- Complete records in accordance with quality assurance requirements and industry practice.
- Dispose of all waste and debris to minimise environmental impacts.
- Clean and service machinery and ancillary equipment in accordance with manufacturer's specifications, OHS requirements and industry practice.
- Test or sample stored forage for quality.
- Report on environmental impacts of forage conservation activities such as effluent run off.