Assessor Resource

AHCBAC404
Plan and implement agricultural crop maintenance

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to plan and implement agricultural crop maintenance.

All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, work health and safety and biosecurity legislation and codes, and sustainability practices.

This unit applies to individuals who take responsibility for own work and for the quality of the work of others. They use discretion and judgement in the selection, allocation and use of available resources.

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. Determine condition of agricultural crops

1.1 Measure and assess soil moisture and calculate soil water percentage

1.2 Calculate water requirements to soil analysis data, standing crop, and forecast weather conditions

1.3 Assess nutrient requirements and availability for crops and identify deficiencies

1.4 Identify factors affecting crop capacity

1.5 Assess technology to ensure most efficient performance of operations

1.6 Identify work health and safety hazards in crop maintenance and assess risks

2. Determine pest control

2.1 Assess evidence of pests and disease and determine appropriate integrated control measures

2.2 Locate and identify areas of weed infestation for reduction or eradication

2.3 Select appropriate integrated control methods

2.4 Schedule suitable control methods appropriately

2.5 Maintain records on severity of infestations and treatments used

3. Manage crop health

3.1 Implement work health and safety controls

3.2 Monitor crop to maintain water and nutritional requirements for optimal production

3.3 Implement sustainable land management practices appropriately

3.4 Monitor weed and pest levels and modify the control program as required

3.5 Assess, document and analyse benefits from soil and plant inputs and treatments

3.6 Monitor and document cropping programs

3.7 Document and record relevant data for continual analysis and effective crop management

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:

refer to records of, and assess, soil health and nutrient status

dispatch soil samples to laboratories

carry out a soil health appraisal

identify likely threats to crop from pests, weeds and diseases

recognise damage to crop caused by weeds, pests or diseases

recognise poor growth and lack of vigour in crop caused by nutrient deficiency

record monitoring results

plan and implement integrated control strategies to address nutrient deficiencies, disease outbreaks, pest and weed infestations

accurately measure soil moisture and estimate irrigation needs if required

apply pesticides or fertility treatments as required

apply correct use of technology to improve efficiency

communicate with industry, suppliers and other personnel

read and interpret Safety Data Sheets (SDSs), production plans and analysis results

estimate and measure pest control treatments

assess crop needs accurately

carry out crop cultural practices and treatments

monitor and assess crop maturity

ascertain water requirements from survey advice and weather forecasts

measure soil moisture and interpret data accurately

determine time of harvest with specialist advice

implement work health and safety policies in the context of the work team

implement enterprise sustainability practices.

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

crop growth stages and keys

crop growth requirements compared to soil nutrient status

fertiliser and soil ameliorant types and application times, methods and rates

chemical use if applicable

factors leading to development of chemical resistance

role of technology in improving efficiency

integrated pest management strategies

life-cycles of pest, diseases and weeds

work health and safety legislative requirements

relevant codes of practice with regard to the use and control of agricultural chemicals

legislation and codes of practice with regard to environmental protection.

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. Determine condition of agricultural crops

1.1 Measure and assess soil moisture and calculate soil water percentage

1.2 Calculate water requirements to soil analysis data, standing crop, and forecast weather conditions

1.3 Assess nutrient requirements and availability for crops and identify deficiencies

1.4 Identify factors affecting crop capacity

1.5 Assess technology to ensure most efficient performance of operations

1.6 Identify work health and safety hazards in crop maintenance and assess risks

2. Determine pest control

2.1 Assess evidence of pests and disease and determine appropriate integrated control measures

2.2 Locate and identify areas of weed infestation for reduction or eradication

2.3 Select appropriate integrated control methods

2.4 Schedule suitable control methods appropriately

2.5 Maintain records on severity of infestations and treatments used

3. Manage crop health

3.1 Implement work health and safety controls

3.2 Monitor crop to maintain water and nutritional requirements for optimal production

3.3 Implement sustainable land management practices appropriately

3.4 Monitor weed and pest levels and modify the control program as required

3.5 Assess, document and analyse benefits from soil and plant inputs and treatments

3.6 Monitor and document cropping programs

3.7 Document and record relevant data for continual analysis and effective crop management

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:

refer to records of, and assess, soil health and nutrient status

dispatch soil samples to laboratories

carry out a soil health appraisal

identify likely threats to crop from pests, weeds and diseases

recognise damage to crop caused by weeds, pests or diseases

recognise poor growth and lack of vigour in crop caused by nutrient deficiency

record monitoring results

plan and implement integrated control strategies to address nutrient deficiencies, disease outbreaks, pest and weed infestations

accurately measure soil moisture and estimate irrigation needs if required

apply pesticides or fertility treatments as required

apply correct use of technology to improve efficiency

communicate with industry, suppliers and other personnel

read and interpret Safety Data Sheets (SDSs), production plans and analysis results

estimate and measure pest control treatments

assess crop needs accurately

carry out crop cultural practices and treatments

monitor and assess crop maturity

ascertain water requirements from survey advice and weather forecasts

measure soil moisture and interpret data accurately

determine time of harvest with specialist advice

implement work health and safety policies in the context of the work team

implement enterprise sustainability practices.

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

crop growth stages and keys

crop growth requirements compared to soil nutrient status

fertiliser and soil ameliorant types and application times, methods and rates

chemical use if applicable

factors leading to development of chemical resistance

role of technology in improving efficiency

integrated pest management strategies

life-cycles of pest, diseases and weeds

work health and safety legislative requirements

relevant codes of practice with regard to the use and control of agricultural chemicals

legislation and codes of practice with regard to environmental protection.

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
Measure and assess soil moisture and calculate soil water percentage 
Calculate water requirements to soil analysis data, standing crop, and forecast weather conditions 
Assess nutrient requirements and availability for crops and identify deficiencies 
Identify factors affecting crop capacity 
Assess technology to ensure most efficient performance of operations 
Identify work health and safety hazards in crop maintenance and assess risks 
Assess evidence of pests and disease and determine appropriate integrated control measures 
Locate and identify areas of weed infestation for reduction or eradication 
Select appropriate integrated control methods 
Schedule suitable control methods appropriately 
Maintain records on severity of infestations and treatments used 
Implement work health and safety controls 
Monitor crop to maintain water and nutritional requirements for optimal production 
Implement sustainable land management practices appropriately 
Monitor weed and pest levels and modify the control program as required 
Assess, document and analyse benefits from soil and plant inputs and treatments 
Monitor and document cropping programs 
Document and record relevant data for continual analysis and effective crop management 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCBAC404 - Plan and implement agricultural crop maintenance
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

AHCBAC404 - Plan and implement agricultural crop maintenance

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: