Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to establish agricultural crops.
All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, work health and safety and biosecurity legislation and codes, and sustainability practices.
Operating machinery carries risk and candidates should observe all enterprise and manufacturer’s requirements.
This unit applies to individuals who work under broad direction and take responsibility for own work including limited responsibility for the work of others. They use discretion and judgement in the selection and use of available resources and complete routine activities.
No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to 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. Prepare machinery and equipment for use | 1.1 Select and prepare appropriate machinery and equipment for the work plan 1.2 Attached and calibrate equipment appropriately 1.3 Identify work health and safety hazards in crop establishment, assess risks and implement controls in line with enterprise policies |
2. Prepare for agricultural crop establishment | 2.1 Monitor soil and weather conditions 2.2 Follow soil conservation and sustainable land management practices and procedures 2.3 Confirm soil test results and identify appropriate soil amendments 2.4 Confirm seeding, fertiliser, and pest and weed control requirements against the work plan and prepare appropriately 2.5 Prepare contingency plans for unusual seasonal conditions |
3. Sow the crop | 3.1 Implement work health and safety controls for crop establishment 3.2 Follow the work plan to conduct seeding and fertiliser applications 3.3 Apply technology to ensure most efficient performance of operations 3.4 Coordinate pest and weed control treatment with seeding and fertiliser applications as required 3.5 Identify environmental implications associated with sowing operations, assess impacts and implement appropriate procedures |
4. Complete seeding operations | 4.1 Maintain seeding, machinery and equipment operation records appropriately 4.2 Report machinery and equipment damage, malfunctions or irregular performance appropriately 4.3 Clean, secure and store machinery and equipment in line with manufacturer specifications and enterprise requirements 4.4 Apply enterprise biosecurity policies |
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:
identify hazards and implement safe operating procedures
sow seed and apply fertiliser at the required placement and rate
identify types of weeds and insects harmful to crop establishment
perform pre-operational and safety checks, servicing and maintenance on machinery and equipment
calibrate, operate machinery and attach/detach equipment
demonstrate emergency operating procedures in normal and adverse conditions
recognise and report machinery damage, faults or malfunctions and perform minor repairs
demonstrate safe, environmentally responsible and sustainable land management practices
monitor and minimise impacts to the environment associated with sowing operations
correct use of technology to improve efficiency
read and interpret manufacturer specifications, work and maintenance plans, and MSDS
obtain relevant licences and permits
clean, secure and store machinery and equipment
record and report equipment faults, workplace hazards and accidents
assess and calculate the application of fertiliser/pesticide requirements and application rates
calibrate equipment and calculate volumes, consumption and servicing requirements
prepare and service machinery and equipment
carry out tillage and apply pre-planting treatments
carry out sowing operation and fertiliser application
monitor the environmental impacts of establishing the crop
clean, secure and store machinery and equipment
keep records of the sowing operation
follow enterprise work health and safety policies in the context of own work
follow sustainability practices in the context of own work
follow enterprise biosecurity policies in the context of own work.
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
crop types, preparation of seeds, seeding methods and application techniques
fertiliser types, rates of application and crop nutrient requirements
effects of weather conditions (normal and adverse) on seeding and fertilising applications
operating principles and operating methods for machinery and equipment
pre-operational and safety checks, servicing and maintenance procedures for seeding machinery and equipment
principles of weight distribution with regard to load shifting and vehicle movement
role of technology in improving efficiency
sustainable land management and soil conservation techniques
positive environmental practices, negative environmental impacts and minimisation measures associated with seeding operations
procedures for cleaning, securing and storing machinery, equipment and materials
enterprise policies with regard to seeding operations, and recording and reporting routines
relevant state/territory legislation, regulations and codes of practice with regard to workplace health and safety and the use and control of pesticides and fertilizers
Personal Protective Equipment and when and how it should be used
relevant state/territory legislation and regulations with regard to licensing requirements and the use and control of machinery and equipment
enterprise biosecurity and sustainability policies.
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
Broad acre cropping (BAC)