Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to supervise agricultural crop harvesting.
All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, work health and safety and biosecurity legislation and codes, and sustainability practices.
This unit applies to individuals who take responsibility for own work and for the quality of the work of others. They use discretion and judgement in the selection, allocation and use of available resources.
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 for harvesting | 1.1 Assess crop maturity and quality in readiness for harvesting 1.2 Determine pre-harvest treatments for the control and eradication of pests and implement appropriately 1.3 Identify and comply with licence or permit requirements 1.4 Assess insurance requirements and plan and implement required risk management strategies 1.5 Identify work health and safety hazards and assess risks in crop harvesting |
2. Determine harvest strategy | 2.1 Estimate and calculate optimum timing to carry out harvest according to crop maturity assessment 2.2 Assess resource requirements appropriate to the size of the crop and estimated timing of harvest 2.3 Assess technology to ensure most efficient performance of operations 2.4 Arrange and confirm required labour and equipment to carry out harvesting operations within budgetary constraints 2.5 Identify and arrange appropriate requirements for fire prevention and control |
3. Coordinate the harvest strategy | 3.1 Implement work health and safety controls 3.2 Implement appropriate communication strategies 3.3 Implement harvesting operations and adjust as required according to weather, equipment and staff requirements 3.4 Coordinate and monitor equipment operation 3.5 Identify and control existing and potential biosecurity hazards appropriately |
4. Complete harvest operation | 4.1 Identify appropriate storage resources and strategies for drying grain 4.2 Segregate grain quality of grain to marketing grades and monitor for moisture content according to classification standards 4.3 Evaluate harvesting operations and outcomes against harvest strategy 4.4 Document and record information for continual analysis and effective planning management |
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:
organise and schedule the maintenance of plant and equipment
establish strategies, procedures and controls for crop harvesting
negotiate and arrange contracts and agreements
implement safe workplace and positive environmental practices
deal with weather and other contingencies
establish strategies, procedures and controls for crop harvesting, including fire prevention and control plans
correct use of technology to improve efficiency
negotiate and arrange contracts and agreements
estimate crop yields
maintain budgetary controls
assess crop maturity and quality in readiness for harvesting
arrange storage and delivery requirements
segregate grain for quality and monitor for moisture content
implement work health and safety policies in the context of the work team
implement biosecurity policies in the context of the work team.
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
crop maturity and yield potential
grain or seed quality
functions and limitations of harvesting equipment
role of technology in improving efficiency
crop measurement techniques and parameters
grain market information and sources
location and relative skills and abilities of available contractors
weather conditions which may affect the harvest
relevant legislation, codes of practice and enterprise requirements for Work Health and Safety, contractor engagement, environment and pesticides
environmental controls and codes of practice applicable to harvesting operations
enterprise biosecurity 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)