This unit applies to farmers who manage according to the principles of biodynamic agriculture. Work is likely to be done independently and according to the requirements of the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce.
This unit covers the process of integrating livestock production into an organic production system and defines the standard required to: monitor and maintain animals in an organic production system; provide a suitable diet and living environment for animals based on the National Organic Standards for Organic Livestock Production; integrate animals into an organic production system; manage grazing of animals and allowable inputs to enhance soil health and fertility.
You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills.
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.
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:
monitor and maintain animals in an organic production system
provide a suitable diet and living environment for animals based on the National Organic Standards for Organic Livestock Production
integrate animals into an organic production system
manage grazing of animals and allowable inputs to enhance soil health and fertility.
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.
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.
Required skills
animal handling and husbandry techniques
assessing pastures
monitoring feed intake
feed budgeting
parasite and disease monitoring
developing grazing strategies
use literacy skills to read, interpret and follow organisational policies and procedures, develop sequenced written instructions, record accurately and legibly information collected and select and apply procedures to a range of tasks
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 routine and more complex workplace measures and data
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
certification requirements
animal parasites and diseases
animal welfare code of practice
grazing management, including pasture identification and assessment, feed budgeting and grazing strategies
management options for animal health based on an understanding of pest life cycles, genetic selection and acquired immunity
permitted, restricted and prohibited inputs and activities as described in the National Organic Standards for Organic Livestock Production
principles of organic agriculture
relationship between soil, plant and animal health
Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and animal welfare legislation and codes of practice.
record keeping
principles, practices and inputs allowable under the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce.
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.
Organic may include:
the application of practices that emphasise the use of renewable resources
conservation of energy, soil and water
recognition of livestock welfare needs
environmental maintenance and enhancement, while producing optimum quantities of produce without the use of artificial fertiliser or synthetic chemicals.
Livestock may include:
domestic or domesticated aquatic and terrestrial animals including insects.
Production may include:
any primary production involved in producing an agricultural or aquaculture product.
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
All work is undertaken in an environmentally appropriate manner and according to the principles of organic agriculture, occupational health and safety requirements and enterprise guidelines.
Natural behaviours of animals and requirements of animal welfare codes of practice are considered in planning for organic livestock production.
Genetic resistance to parasites is incorporated into breeding strategy.
Livestock is monitored constantly for health and welfare and records are kept according to enterprise requirements.
Animal health preventative strategies are developed, communicated to others working on farm and implemented.
Use of prohibited/restricted substances for organic livestock is documented and treated animals are identified and quarantined.
Animal transport is conducted humanely and in compliance with organic certification requirements.
Livestock records required for organic certification are maintained.
Planning for winter feed and drought preparedness is undertaken.
Haymaking and/or cropping are incorporated into annual program for animal feed and on-farm sustainability.
Long term storage for hay and feed is implemented and quality and quantity are monitored.
Soil and plant health are optimised to provide a nutrient-dense and balanced diet for livestock.
Pastures are assessed for diversity, health, vigour and ground cover.
Infrastructure required for implementing rotational grazing strategies is identified and incorporated into property improvement program.
Rotational grazing strategies are developed and implemented.
Impact of grazing strategies on nutrient recycling and pasture diversity, persistence and vigour is evaluated.
Strategies for controlling weeds in pastures are implemented.
Level of nutrients exported from farm is estimated.
Soil-testing program, including observation of pasture species present, is implemented in order to monitor and maintain optimal pasture species and soil health.
Soil nutrient levels are replenished through recycling, optimising nutrient availability in soil, and sourcing allowable inputs where necessary.
Organic fertilisers and soil conditioners are applied to ensure a mineral-balanced and healthy soil.
Certification protocols for sourcing essential fodder off-farm are followed.
Fodder is sourced and fed to stock, minimising risk of weed spread and maintaining adequate records.
Forms
Assessment Cover Sheet
AHCORG402A - Manage organic livestock production
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
AHCORG402A - Manage organic livestock production
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