This unit applies to livestock workers who operate under directions from others with checking only related to overall progress.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Identify animals

1.1. Criteria for animal selection are identified and clarified from production and marketing information and supervisor or management instructions.

1.2. Procedures to control and sort livestock are conducted with due care in accordance with Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and animal welfare requirements.

1.3. Animals are identified and separated according to unit selection criteria.

1.4. Identification devices are safely and humanely applied and used on animals according to industry practice and the code of welfare.

1.5. OHS hazards in the workplace are recognised, risks are assessed and controls implemented.

2. Assess and select animals

2.1. Animals are accurately assessed according to industry and/or enterprise criteria and guidelines.

2.2. Procedures to control and sort livestock are conducted with due care in accordance with OHS and animal welfare requirements.

2.3. Animals are correctly ranked and selected using performance records, weight, sex or other organisational criteria.

2.4. Selection is reliably and accurately recorded and reported to unit management.

2.5. Suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) is selected, used and maintained in accordance with OHS requirements.

2.6. All accepted guidelines and industry norms for prescribed medication withholding periods are observed when selecting animals.

2.7. Records and documentation required by the enterprise are completed clearly, accurately and promptly.

Required skills

identify OHS hazards and implement safe work practices

recognise animals unfit for transport

provide due care in the handling of livestock

recognise livestock abnormalities

select animals according to criteria

draft livestock

read and comprehend oral and written information and instructions, write basic statements and maintain livestock handling records

read and interpret cost sheets, production information, target statistics, quantities of feed and other inputs, and job performance audits

prepare and present production and other information in a manner that is readily accessible for both management and operators

use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning techniques, active listening, clarifying information and consulting with supervisors as required

use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures

use interpersonal skills to work with and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge

handling techniques and restraint methods

animal movement and drafting

livestock characteristics relevant to drafting

selection criteria for breeding stock

livestock identification systems and devices

livestock behaviour

environmental codes of practice with regard to livestock production

enterprise and industry grading/selection animal identification procedures

OHS and animal welfare legislative and enterprise requirements.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

identify criteria for animal selection

control and sort livestock

safely and humanely apply identification devices

appraise and grade animals

provide due care in the handling of livestock

recognise livestock abnormalities.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Livestock may include:

beef cattle

dairy cattle

sheep

goats

pigs

for the purpose of sorting of animals for sale, breeding or for other enterprise requirements.

Unit sector

Livestock

This unit contains employability skills.