This unit applies to livestock enterprise managers whose job role includes developing animal health and welfare strategies.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Determine health strategy for livestock

1.1. Livestock condition is monitored and risks to health and welfare are identified based on property history, type of livestock and external disease threats.

1.2. A program of monitoring parasite and disease status is implemented.

1.3. Preventative health strategies based on integrated controls and production requirements are documented in a livestock health plan.

1.4. Treatments based on veterinary medicines are integrated with other parasite and disease control strategies, if applicable.

1.5. Treatment program, procedures and operations are planned to meet livestock health requirements, legislative and enterprise requirements.

1.6. Facilities and equipment required to implement health strategy are identified and arranged according to industry standards and enterprise requirements.

1.7. Staff is briefed with details of treatment programs, schedules and Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) issues.

2. Implement treatment program

2.1. Diagnosis of livestock condition is made systematically with reference to all symptoms and signs according to veterinary guidelines.

2.2. Complex problems or signs of disease are referred for specialist advice and treatment.

2.3. Treatment is planned and administered according to veterinary guidelines, legislative requirements, and animal welfare codes of practice.

2.4. Control measures are carried out as required to prevent the spread of communicable diseases.

2.5. Procedures for reporting notifiable diseases are implemented according to legislative requirements.

3. Manage livestock welfare

3.1. Requirements of the animal welfare code of practice are integrated into the production plan and enterprise procedures.

3.2. Livestock are continually monitored for access to feed and water and health status.

3.3. Injured or sick animals are treated and monitored, or euthanased if required.

3.4. Susceptible animals are provided with adequate shade and shelter.

3.5. Welfare issues are documented and accurate records are maintained according to industry standards, legislative and enterprise requirements.

4. Monitor health strategy

4.1. Withholding periods for veterinary medicines are noted and complied with according to manufacturer's instructions and legislative requirements.

4.2. Livestock are monitored post-treatment for evidence of treatment effectiveness and any further health problems.

4.3. Treatment outcomes and processes are reviewed for effective management planning and best practice.

4.4. Animal health procedures are evaluated in a review of the animal health plan.

4.5. Travel and quarantine restrictions are identified and complied with.

4.6. Surplus health supplies are stored according to manufacturer's recommendations and enterprise requirements.

4.7. Data is documented and accurate records are maintained according to industry standards, legislative and enterprise requirements.

Required skills

plan and co-ordinate livestock health and welfare strategies

develop a plan for health control and disease prevention

diagnose health problems in livestock

measure preventative health treatment dosage and calculate rates and schedule for treatment effectiveness

use literacy skills to fulfil job roles as required by the organisation. The level of skill may range from reading and understanding documentation to completion of written reports

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 complex workplace measures

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

livestock health and abnormalities

preventative health strategies

principles of genetic resistance and immunity

contingency and operational planning

animal welfare codes of practice

environmental protection codes of practice

veterinary medicines and their use

quarantine procedures

vaccine types and their administration

OHS legislative 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 common livestock diseases

develop prevention and treatment strategies for diseases

handle and use veterinary medicines

maintain records of animal health treatment

implement a risk management approach to managing animal health.

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

beef cattle

alpacas

deer

dairy cattle

pigs.

Unit sector

Livestock

This unit contains employability skills.