This unit applies to livestock producers.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare animals for breeding

1.1. Joining areas are identified and prepared using a range of selection factors.

1.2. Animals are handled safely and humanely to minimise stress and discomfort.

1.3. Animals are drafted according to mating plan and in appropriate ratios to encourage optimum mating.

1.4. Siring requirements are determined and met in advance of mating.

1.5. Animals are prepared and examined for mating.

2. Implement breeding program and monitor mating

2.1. Veterinary advice is accessed according to animals' needs, enterprise requirements and industry practice.

2.2. Dates and timing of breeding are identified and scheduled

2.3. Physical examination of animals is carried out to evaluate health and welfare status of animal.

2.4. Behaviour of animals during joining is observed to identify necessity of intervention and assistance.

2.5. Assistance is provided as required.

3. Complete breeding program

3.1. Where required, sires are removed from herd, mob or flock.

3.2. Mating activity is monitored to ensure successful joinings have occurred, to identify problems and to effect remedial action as required.

3.3. Pregnancy testing is carried out to determine the effectiveness of joining

3.4. Data is recorded and documented to develop history of mating performance and outcomes.

3.5. Industry information of emerging and prevailing practices are researched and compared with enterprise practice to recommend future improvements.

Required skills

identify hazards and oversee safe systems of work

prepare animals for joining

monitor joining activity

use literacy skills to read, interpret and follow organisational policies and procedures, develop sequenced written instructions, record accurately and legibly information collected and select and apply procedures to a range of tasks

use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification, negotiating solutions and responding to a range of views

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

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

Required knowledge

mating behaviour

anatomy and physiology of the reproductive organs and reproductive process in animals

live weights and conditions for mating

environmental influences and their effects on joining

ovulation stimulation and synchronisation

enterprise's breeding programs and selection criteria (EBV)

breeding principles

pregnancy testing

animal health and abnormalities

enterprise and industry identification system for animals

relevant State/Territory legislation, regulations and Codes of Practice with regard to workplace Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and animal welfare

legislative and regulatory controls with regard to breeding programs

enterprise and industry policies with regard to recording and reporting requirements

identification of veterinary and non-veterinary procedures.

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:

select appropriate joining areas

carry out physical examination of sires and females for health and breeding soundness

draft livestock into appropriate ratios to encourage optimum mating

monitor mating activity and returns to oestrus

identify and implement remedial action as required

record details of mating.

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:

sheep

goats

pigs

horses

alpacas

deer

beef and dairy cattle.

Unit sector

Livestock

This unit contains employability skills.