This unit relates to working the preparation of mushroom substrate either in a general mushroom farming enterprise or in a specialist substrate preparation enterprise.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare for each process stage.

1.1. Task requirements are sought from and clarified with supervisor.

1.2. All tools, machinery and equipment required for process stage are checked and prepared according to farm procedures.

1.3. Faults or variations from required settings or farm quality standards observed at any stage in the process are reported to supervisor and remedial action is carried out as directed.

1.4. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and clothing are selected and used according to farm Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) procedures.

1.5. OHS requirements and hazards associated with tasks are identified and appropriate action is taken to minimise risks to self and others.

1.6. Site quarantine protocols and farm and personal hygiene requirements are applied and followed as required by farm procedures or supervisor instructions.

1.7. All work is performed in an environmentally aware and safe manner according to farm procedures.

2. Fill units with mushroom substrate.

2.1. Filling equipment is operated safely and at a speed that maintains continuous operation according to farm procedures, and supervisor and manufacturer instructions.

2.2. Units are filled with mushroom substrate according to farm procedures and to required farm standards.

3. Assist with spawning processes.

3.1. Spawn is visually inspected for abnormalities and any abnormalities found are reported to supervisor.

3.2. Spawn is applied and mixed into mushroom substrate according to farm procedures.

3.3. Spawn usage rate is checked and any observed variation from farm standard is reported to supervisor.

3.4. If applicable, supplement is applied and mixed as directed by manager.

3.5. Spawned mushroom substrate is installed in spawn run rooms according to farm procedures.

3.6. Samples of mushroom substrate are taken according to farm procedures.

3.7. Mushroom substrate is checked for presence of pests and where pests are found, supervisor is advised and remedial action is taken as directed.

4. Prepare and apply casing mixture.

4.1. Required quantities of pesticides, peat, limestone and additives for casing are assembled and checked according to farm procedures, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) and OHS requirements.

4.2. Casing ingredients are blended according to farm procedures.

4.3. If applicable, supplement is applied and mixed as directed.

4.4. Casing depth, structure and consistency are checked and any variation from farm standards is reported to supervisor and remedial action is taken as directed.

4.5. Samples of prepared casing and mushroom substrate before casing has been added are taken according to farm procedures.

5. Finalise mushroom substrate processes

5.1. Equipment and tools are returned to storage area after cleaning, checking for future serviceability and carrying out basic preventative maintenance according to farm procedures, and supervisor and manufacturer instructions.

5.2. Faults are reported to supervisor or maintenance personnel for remedial action.

5.3. Clean-up activities are carried out at the end of each process stage according to farm procedures and supervisor instructions.

5.4. Records are completed legibly and accurately according to farm procedures.

5.5. Work outcomes are reported to supervisor, feedback on performance is sought and any required improvements are noted for future action.

Required skills

Perform mushroom substrate process tasks applies to the

following work instructions and schedules

maintaining quality standards

maintaining safety of self and others

observing variations from required quality standards

reading production schedules and farm procedures

reporting faults and variations to supervisor

use literacy skills to follow sequenced written instructions and record information accurately and legibly

use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and seeking advice from supervisor

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

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

Required knowledge

farm standards and procedures, including those relating to OHS, food safety, HACCP, quality systems, emergency procedures, organisational structure and workplace communication channels and protocols

impact on the rest of mushroom production cycle of deviations of mushroom substrate quality from farm standards for substrate

industry and workplace awards and conditions

overview of mushroom production cycle

overview of substrate production

site quarantine protocols.

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:

maintain site quarantine protocols and personal hygiene

fill units with mushroom substrate

apply spawn into mushroom substrate

prepare and apply casing mixture

complete records.

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.

Mushroom substrate may include:

the range of ingredients and processes required for Phase II compost preparation.

Growing systems may include:

in the earlier stages of this process:

trays

shelves

or tunnels

later stages may involve the use of:

trays

shelves

or bags.

Unit sector

Production horticulture

This unit contains employability skills.