Application
This unit of competency covers the process of developing a farm plan for a rural enterprise to reflect organic, biodynamic and biological farming principles. It requires the ability to determine the philosophy of the farm business. An audit of the farm and the resources will be undertaken to assess the current status of the property. A management plan is developed to ensure sustainability of the farm business and the natural areas on the property. The plan is to convert the property and the management system to reflect the philosophy and the orderly transition to the new short term and long-term goals. It is also to manage the production system including crops, pasture and livestock within the organic, biodynamic and biological farming system. Records will be kept to maintain the integrity and quality of the product and meet legal requirements for accreditation.
All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, work health and safety legislation and codes, and sustainability practices.
This unit is applicable to a person who has a role in managing a farm. This unit is likely to require consultation with certification bodies, auditors and producers with similar philosophies.
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Element | Performance criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Develop goals and objectives for an organic, biodynamic or biological enterprise | 1.1 Establish long-term direction and purpose of the business by identifying and analysing the values, expectations and personal goals of the people involved 1.2 Identify business and personal strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats and strategies to address them 1.3 Investigate sources of information and support for conversion and plan the property conversion over a period of time including time lines and conversion costs |
2. Audit the existing and natural resources on the property | 2.1 Draw a property map to include land classes using classification terminology, fences and water systems, natural property features and infrastructure 2.2 Conduct a risk assessment of previous land use and an inventory of chemicals applied or evidence of application on the site 2.3 Identify areas at risk of soil degradation and develop strategies to protect the area 2.4 Develop and implement strategies to improve the health and the regeneration of remnant vegetation to support a diversity of living systems 2.5 Assess potential problem pests and weeds and use strategies to implement an eradication program, within the guidelines of the certification body |
3. Develop and implement grazing and cropping strategies to improve biodiversity, recycling and sustainability in an organic, biodynamic or biological farm | 3.1 Use soil test results to make recommendations for soil improvement with appropriate organic fertilisers and soil conditioners to ensure a mineral-balanced and healthy soil 3.2 Develop and implement an annual grazing program and strategies to optimize pasture growth and animal production 3.3 Develop and implement a strategy for the recycling of farm waste and effluent 3.4 Assess soil biological activity and apply suitable preparations and grazing strategies to improve the soil biota 3.5 Identify appropriate mulching and composting systems 3.6 Design and implement a plan using crop rotations to optimise soil fertility 3.7 Research the principles and application of biodynamic preparations |
4 Manage animal health and welfare for organic, biodynamic or biological production | 4.1 Plan strategies to preserve animal health including allowable treatments and grazing management in the short term and genetic improvement in the long term 4.2 Maintain livestock records to identify treated animals, including a record of all treatments including homeopathic remedies 4.3 Sustain the animal enterprise with pasture and suitable fodder and maintain consumption records to meet certification protocols |
5 Manage customer feedback and satisfaction with organic, biodynamic or biological product quality and integrity | 5.1 Develop and implement procedures to obtain, analyse and respond to customer feedback on farm product quality and integrity 5.2 Identify legal requirements to maintain organic, biodynamic or biological certification |
Evidence of Performance
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 directions for the organic, biodynamic or biological business
audit the natural resources on the property
monitor legal and certification requirements impacting on the management of the property
develop management strategies to address natural resource management issues
research information on production changes and methods for the chosen philosophy
ability to interpret accurate data
communicate information to people and groups inside and outside the industry sector
record treatments of parasites and diseases of animals with suitable preparations according to animal welfare and organic, biodynamic and biological farming principles
assess and sample soils
interpret and make recommendations regarding outcomes of soil tests
recognise plants and pasture species
calculate a feed budget
document production processes and activities including developing a flow chart for the supply chain
document a risk assessment
develop procedures to respond to customer feedback
analyse benefits to the family and farm from adopting the philosophy.
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
sustainable land management practices
property planning process
water, vegetation, livestock, pasture, soil, fire and wildlife management strategies within the accreditation guidelines
legal requirements impacting on the whole farm plan
risk management strategies
credible sources of information relating to organic, biodynamic and biological farming principles and practices
supply chain for the organic, biodynamic and biological farming sector and your position in the chain
permitted/restricted and prohibited inputs and activities for Organic Production
grazing management including feed budgeting and grazing strategies
animal health and options for maintaining health based on pathogen life cycles and the use of suitable preparations
maintaining biodiversity to complement the organic, biodynamic and biological farming philosophy
principles of sowing according to moon phase and maintaining crops with biodynamic preparations.
Assessment Conditions
Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.
Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
Sectors
Agribusiness (AGB)