This unit applies to stockfeed operators who are required to have knowledge of animal nutrition principles and the effect of stockfeed on animal performance. This knowledge would be applied in liaison with professional and technical staff on customer requirements and in liaison directly with customers.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Identify nutrition purpose of stockfeed product

1.1. Target species, animal type and phase of animal growth supported by stockfeed product are identified

1.2. Production purpose of animal raising and range of desired products are identified

1.3. Particle size, pellet quality and other factors affecting palatibility for target animals are identified

1.4. Impact of stockfeed on animal performance is identified

2. Identify key quality factors affecting stockfeed performance

2.1. Feed safety requirements for target species and phase of animal production are identified

2.2. Type and proportion of raw materials in stockfeed and their effect on animal performance are identified

2.3. The purpose of additives on animal performance and stockfeed quality are identified

2.4. Effects of processing on stockfeed nutrition quality and animal performance are identified

2.5. Substitution guidelines, including the effect of substitution on stockfeed performance, are understood

Required skills

Ability to:

access and interpret workplace information, including standard operating procedures (SOPs), labels, recipes, customer supplied information and material data safety sheets (MSDS)

use and application of workplace terminology

sequence information against production processes

assess quality standards

identify resources in the enterprise for further information, including nutritionists, other technical and professional specialist and reference materials

Required knowledge

Knowledge of:

typical nutrition requirements of animals supported by stockfeed, including horses, beef cattle, dairy cattle, pigs, sheep, poultry (both meat and egg production) and marine animals (aquaculture). Knowledge would be restricted to standard daily requirements of main food groups (proteins, carbohydrates etc), typical daily volume of feed required and type of feed (e.g. solid, liquid, plant or animal based)

how nutritional needs of target animal may vary according to species, gender, health, pregnancy, lactation, age, season, geography, production purpose and form of production and feeding, e.g. feedlot, free range, use of stock feed for supplementary or full feeding

factors affecting animal acceptance of stockfeed, including palatability and presentation

range of raw materials typically used in stockfeed, including grains, molasses/liquids, proteins (vegetables and animal), additives (vitamins, minerals and medications) and fibre

impact of operator controlled factors on stockfeed quality, including temperatures, moisture, sizing, sieving and liquid additions

impacts of stockfeed on animal performance, including positive effects on animal performance and effects of incorrect feed on animal safety, animal performance and export contamination

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

Evidence is required of animal nutrition and performance requirements that are affected by stockfeed related factors, such as ingredients, recipe, processing and presentation.

Assessment must be carried out in a manner that recognises the cultural and literacy requirements of the assessee and is appropriate to the work performed. Competence in this unit must be achieved in accordance with food safety standards and regulations

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

Evidence of ability to:

identify and interpret customer requirements from stockfeed

relate stockfeed type to animal nutrition and production requirements

liaise with nutritionist and other professional and technical staff on animal nutrition requirements of stockfeed.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

The candidate is to be assessed on animal nutrition and production knowledge relevant to the stockfeed products and processes in the workplace.

Method of assessment

Evidence may include third party report, portfolio, work documentation, response to questions, and so on, that address the performance criteria and critical aspects for assessment.

Guidance information for assessment

Performance against this standard must be assessed in an industry context. For valid and reliable assessment the activity should closely replicate the work environment, circumstances and equipment likely to be encountered in a workplace.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Stockfeed production

Stockfeeds commercially produced by enterprises as well as customer provided formulations.

The range of stockfeed can include:

pellets

liquids

mashes

blocks

Target species

Target species may include:

land and marine animals raised commercially for meat, skin products and milk

Unit sector

Grain processing

This unit contains employability skills.