Assessor Resource

AHCBAC301
Conserve forage

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to conserve forage. This includes controlling risks associated with conservation of forage activities such as risk of fire from moisture content creating excessive temperature of hay stacks, potential contact with overhead power lines and exposure to noise and dust.

All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, work health and safety and biosecurity legislation and codes, and sustainability practices. All machinery is operated to manufacturer’s specifications.

This unit applies to individuals who work under broad direction and take responsibility for own work including limited responsibility for the work of others. They use discretion and judgement in the selection and use of available resources and complete routine activities.

No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Prepare for forage conservation

1.1 Confirm forage conservation options using the production plan

1.2 Identify risk factors for spoilage in forage conservation such as fire, vermin and air in silage

1.3 Confirm that paddock conditions are suitable for forage production

1.4 Prepare forage conservation machinery and equipment

1.5 Ensure clear access to paddocks for harvesting and transport machinery

1.6 Prepare storage facility for selected forage conservation method

1.7 Identify work health and safety hazards in forage conservation and assess risks

2. Prepare paddocks for forage conservation

2.1 Close paddock to stock access at appropriate time

2.2 Report on the growth stage of the crop for harvest

2.3 Control pests, weeds and diseases to maintain forage bulk and quality

3. Make forage

3.1 Implement work health and safety procedures for forage conservation

3.2 Monitor weather conditions

3.3 Identify dry matter target and assess dry matter content of forage material for the forage operation

3.4 Mow, condition, tedder and rake swaths depending on weather conditions and forage drying targets

3.5 Conduct harvesting activities

3.6 Apply technology to ensure most efficient performance of operations

3.7 Check equipment during harvesting operations regularly for wear and damage

3.8 Bale, wrap, compact, seal or store forage to the storage plan

3.9 Load, transport, and store or compact (if required) forage appropriately

3.10 Store forage to minimise risk of spoilage and combustion

4. Complete operations

4.1 Complete records appropriately

4.2 Dispose of all waste and debris appropriately

4.3 Clean and service machinery and ancillary equipment appropriately

4.4 Test or sample stored forage for quality

4.5 Report on environmental impacts of forage conservation activities such as effluent run off to supervisor

4.6 Apply enterprise biosecurity policies

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:

prepare paddocks for forage conservation

apply forage conservation methods

harvest, prepare and store forage

record work activities

interpret and implement forage conservation requirements

operate and maintain forage harvesting equipment

assess risks and implement work health and safety procedures for forage conservation

correct use of technology to improve efficiency

perform harvesting operations

follow enterprise workplace health and safety policies in the context of own work

follow enterprise biosecurity policies in the context of own work

follow enterprise sustainability practices in the context of own work.

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

silage and hay conservation systems and methods

factors affecting the quality of silage and hay

dry matter content, quality and hygiene requirements

range and functions of silage and haymaking machinery and equipment

common weeds, pests and diseases associated with crops and pastures

role of technology in improving efficiency

types and application of personal protective equipment

legislation and regulations including licensing requirements in relation to forage operations

risks associated with conservation of forage activities including risk of fire from moisture content creating excessive temperature of hay stacks; potential contact with overhead power lines; and exposure to noise and dust

risk factors including animal health and weather

environmental risks and impacts of forage conservation.

Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Prepare for forage conservation

1.1 Confirm forage conservation options using the production plan

1.2 Identify risk factors for spoilage in forage conservation such as fire, vermin and air in silage

1.3 Confirm that paddock conditions are suitable for forage production

1.4 Prepare forage conservation machinery and equipment

1.5 Ensure clear access to paddocks for harvesting and transport machinery

1.6 Prepare storage facility for selected forage conservation method

1.7 Identify work health and safety hazards in forage conservation and assess risks

2. Prepare paddocks for forage conservation

2.1 Close paddock to stock access at appropriate time

2.2 Report on the growth stage of the crop for harvest

2.3 Control pests, weeds and diseases to maintain forage bulk and quality

3. Make forage

3.1 Implement work health and safety procedures for forage conservation

3.2 Monitor weather conditions

3.3 Identify dry matter target and assess dry matter content of forage material for the forage operation

3.4 Mow, condition, tedder and rake swaths depending on weather conditions and forage drying targets

3.5 Conduct harvesting activities

3.6 Apply technology to ensure most efficient performance of operations

3.7 Check equipment during harvesting operations regularly for wear and damage

3.8 Bale, wrap, compact, seal or store forage to the storage plan

3.9 Load, transport, and store or compact (if required) forage appropriately

3.10 Store forage to minimise risk of spoilage and combustion

4. Complete operations

4.1 Complete records appropriately

4.2 Dispose of all waste and debris appropriately

4.3 Clean and service machinery and ancillary equipment appropriately

4.4 Test or sample stored forage for quality

4.5 Report on environmental impacts of forage conservation activities such as effluent run off to supervisor

4.6 Apply enterprise biosecurity policies

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:

prepare paddocks for forage conservation

apply forage conservation methods

harvest, prepare and store forage

record work activities

interpret and implement forage conservation requirements

operate and maintain forage harvesting equipment

assess risks and implement work health and safety procedures for forage conservation

correct use of technology to improve efficiency

perform harvesting operations

follow enterprise workplace health and safety policies in the context of own work

follow enterprise biosecurity policies in the context of own work

follow enterprise sustainability practices in the context of own work.

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

silage and hay conservation systems and methods

factors affecting the quality of silage and hay

dry matter content, quality and hygiene requirements

range and functions of silage and haymaking machinery and equipment

common weeds, pests and diseases associated with crops and pastures

role of technology in improving efficiency

types and application of personal protective equipment

legislation and regulations including licensing requirements in relation to forage operations

risks associated with conservation of forage activities including risk of fire from moisture content creating excessive temperature of hay stacks; potential contact with overhead power lines; and exposure to noise and dust

risk factors including animal health and weather

environmental risks and impacts of forage conservation.

Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Confirm forage conservation options using the production plan 
Identify risk factors for spoilage in forage conservation such as fire, vermin and air in silage 
Confirm that paddock conditions are suitable for forage production 
Prepare forage conservation machinery and equipment 
Ensure clear access to paddocks for harvesting and transport machinery 
Prepare storage facility for selected forage conservation method 
Identify work health and safety hazards in forage conservation and assess risks 
Close paddock to stock access at appropriate time 
Report on the growth stage of the crop for harvest 
Control pests, weeds and diseases to maintain forage bulk and quality 
Implement work health and safety procedures for forage conservation 
Monitor weather conditions 
Identify dry matter target and assess dry matter content of forage material for the forage operation 
Mow, condition, tedder and rake swaths depending on weather conditions and forage drying targets 
Conduct harvesting activities 
Apply technology to ensure most efficient performance of operations 
Check equipment during harvesting operations regularly for wear and damage 
Bale, wrap, compact, seal or store forage to the storage plan 
Load, transport, and store or compact (if required) forage appropriately 
Store forage to minimise risk of spoilage and combustion 
Complete records appropriately 
Dispose of all waste and debris appropriately 
Clean and service machinery and ancillary equipment appropriately 
Test or sample stored forage for quality 
Report on environmental impacts of forage conservation activities such as effluent run off to supervisor 
Apply enterprise biosecurity policies 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCBAC301 - Conserve forage
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

AHCBAC301 - Conserve forage

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: