Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to monitor cows at calving and provide the support required.
All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, work health and safety, animal welfare and biosecurity legislation and codes of practice and sustainability practices.
This unit applies to workers on cattle farms who are responsible for overseeing calving. These individuals are expected to refer any high risk issues or problems for veterinary advice.
This unit applies to individuals who work under broad direction and take responsibility for their own work. They complete routine activities and work in a range of known contexts.
All units of competency dealing with animals in the AHC Training Package have the requirements for animals to be handled humanely to minimise stress and discomfort.
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 calving | 1.1 Assess and monitor condition and health status of cow prior to calving 1.2 Check calving equipment, resources and materials and prepare for use 1.3 Graze cows at risk of calving difficulty (especially first calf heifers) in an area where intervention can be carried out with as little disruption as possible 1.4 Identify hazards in assisting with calving and follow safe work practices 1.5 Check mating records and confirm anticipated calving date |
2. Observe the calving | 2.1 Monitor cows for signs of approaching parturition and throughout calving 2.2 Note signs of calf malpresentation or dystocia from the rate of progress in giving birth and the initial orientation of the feet and head |
3. Support calving | 3.1 Handle calving cows calmly and put in a secure environment 3.2 Implement hygiene procedures to ensure that any calving equipment entering the birth canal is clean 3.3 Estimate the orientation and size of the foetus relative to the pelvis through manual palpation 3.4 Check the possibility of twins and adjust position of the lead foetus where required 3.5 Manipulate a malpresentation physically into the correct position where required 3.6 Apply calving ropes/chains are placed on the calf above the front fetlocks and appropriate calf pulling equipment in the case of dystocia, without causing undue harm to the female 3.7 Bring in specialist support in if normal assistance procedures are not adequate to assist the calving 3.8 Apply enterprise animal welfare policies to livestock handling procedures |
4. Carry out monitoring after calf has been born | 4.1 Allow cow to rest and encourage cow to lick the calf as an initial bonding 4.2 Check calves that have been assisted for clear airways 4.3 Leave the placenta for the cow to ingest after calving 4.4 Treat and record cows with retained placentas or other abnormalities 4.5 Maintain the calving environment, facilities and equipment in a safe, hygienic and operational state and report or fix faults 4.6 Keep record of calving |
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 use safe work practices in the calving environment
carry out cow husbandry procedures and recognise signs of imminent calving
apply contingency measures for calving in the event of difficulties
prepare calving environment, materials and resources to industry standards
ability to correctly apply calving ropes/chains and use suitable calf pulling equipment
monitor cow condition and recognise abnormal behaviour/presentations
ability to manual palpate and recognise simple malpresentations
recognise abnormalities in calving behaviour, expulsion of foetus and placenta, and progress of calf immediately after birth
recognise when normal assistance procedures are not adequate to assist the calving and specialist veterinary support is required
maintain a safe and secure post-calving environment
demonstrate safe and environmentally responsible workplace practices
apply relevant work health and safety requirements
apply relevant animal welfare practices
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
calving behaviour and basic health and nutritional requirements as directed
calving equipment and materials, their components and functions
calving intervention and non-intervention strategies
normal calf presentation v abnormal that may need assistance
problems associated with calving and intervention and follow up treatment
enterprise policies with regard to calving down, recording and reporting routines
health and injury hazards associated with handling cattle
personal protective clothing and equipment, and when and how it should be used
procedures for cleaning and maintaining treatment equipment and materials
relevant State/Territory legislation, regulations and codes of practice with regard to work health and safety and animal welfare.
Assessment Conditions
Competency is to be assessed in the work place or workplace and simulated environments that accurately reflect performance in a real workplace setting.
Assessors must satisfy current conditions for RTOs.
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
Sectors
Livestock (LSK)