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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Determine condition of pigs and adjust nutrition for mating
   • Determine and record condition scores of pigs
   • Rank pigs according to scores and adjust nutritional requirements to ensure pigs are in optimum condition at mating
   • Ensure feeding strategies are appropriate for the housing environment and seasonal conditions
   • Monitor and assess condition of pigs regularly
2. Facilitate mating
   • Apply knowledge of relevant animal anatomy and physiology
   • Carry out oestrus inducement and detection procedures
   • Follow enterprise work health and safety and biosecurity policies
   • Ensure mating areas are secure and provide for access during joining
   • Use mating procedures and handling techniques that maximise welfare of pigs
   • Supervise mating and intervene when required to maximise conception rates
3. Complete mating procedures
   • Carry out regular post-mating heat detection to identify sows returning to oestrus
   • Complete mating records promptly and accurately
4. Determine and provide adequate nutrition for pregnant sows
   • Determine nutritional needs of pregnant sows using the enterprise feeding plan
   • Provide adequate and suitable feed and feed supplements in accordance with the feeding plan and sow condition

Range Statement

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Performance Evidence

The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

The candidate must provide evidence that they can:

determine condition of pigs and adjust nutrition for mating

facilitate mating

complete mating procedures

determine and provide adequate nutrition for pregnant sows

follow work health and safety policies

follow biosecurity policies

follow animal welfare policies

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Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

criteria and methods for body condition scoring of pigs

nutritional requirements, types of feed and feeding methods for pregnant and non-pregnant sows

methods and procedures for determining nutritional requirements of pregnant and non-pregnant sows

relevant husbandry and management practices for pregnant and non-pregnant sows

relevant anatomy and physiology of sows

reproductive physiology and pregnancy development of sows

methods and procedures for oestrus detection in sows

requirements, methods, procedures and management of mating in pigs

methods and management of conception rates in pigs

relevant animal welfare practices for mating of pigs

methods and procedures for pregnancy diagnosis in sows

relevant documentation and records that are required

relevant work health and safety and biosecurity requirements

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