Elements and Performance Criteria
- Monitor and assess animal health
- Regular observations are taken to assess animals' health according to the requirements of the organisation.
- Symptoms of ill health and common diseases or parasite infestations are recognised and reported.
- Sampling is carried out and testing arranged for internal parasites or diseases.
- Unusual or suspected exotic disease outbreaks are referred for veterinary advice immediately.
- Notifiable diseases are reported and all restrictions and treatment requirements are complied with.
- Animal health status is recorded according to enterprise requirements.
- Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards are identified, risk assessed and suitable controls implemented.
- Suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) is selected, used and maintained.
- Animal welfare status is recorded according to enterprise and legislative requirements.
- Deceased animals are disposed of according to organisational and environmental policies.
- Implement preventative health strategies
- Risks to animal health are identified, and strategies sourced, from the production plan.
- A vaccination program is developed and implemented to control clostridial and other diseases.
- Livestock prone to internal parasite build up are identified and the timing of treatments is planned out.
- Strategies based around pasture spelling and rotations of different classes of livestock are implemented.
- The health treatments for animals are planned using an integrated approach.
- Drenches, vaccines and other stock medications are used according to manufacturer instructions and withholding periods are complied with.
- Drench groups are rotated to minimise the risk of parasite resistance.
- Record and review the animal health program
- All treatments are recorded and an inventory is maintained of stock medicines.
- Health issues are recorded and the results of tissue, organ and/or blood samples are recorded if applicable.
- Records of health tests and animal health treatments, including animal production records, are used to review the animal health plan.