Assessor Resource

AHCSDP303
Maintain seed crops

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to maintain seed crops. It applies to workers on properties where commercial seed production is undertaken. Workers operate with some judgement and discretion and work would normally be carried out under minimal supervision within enterprise requirements and procedures.

It applies to individuals who take responsibility for their 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. All work is carried out to comply with workplace procedures.

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. Assess seed crop condition, growth and requirements

1.1 Monitor crops to assess their condition and needs and report observations

1.2 Identify, monitor and report pests and diseases at nominated threshold levels

1.3 Establish sites for regular measurement of soil moisture in consultation with directions

1.4 Use soil probe to measure moisture levels and soil water percentage calculated

2. Apply fertiliser and amendments

2.1 Identify work health and safety hazards, assess risks and implement suitable controls

2.2 Select, use and maintain suitable personal protective equipment (PPE)

2.3 Apply specialist sprays according to label directions and industry standards for growth stages

2.4 Carry out chipping or spot spraying as required

2.5 Assess, record and report crop growth stages

2.6 Apply water according to the identified need

2.7 Undertake all applications in the full consideration of adverse environmental impacts

3. Monitor crop condition, growth and requirements

3.1 Monitor crop maturity and report the possible need for further applications

3.2 Monitor the health of the crop and report deviation from expected growth and vigour

3.3 Report observations of crop ripening for the timing of harvest to be determined by contractors and property manager

4. Complete cleaning and hygiene operations

4.1 Clean equipment in accordance with certified seed procedures

4.2 Dispose of all containers, leftover fluids, waste and debris from the maintenance and servicing work

4.3 Complete records and documentation

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:

implement pest and disease control strategies

monitor crops for levels of pests and diseases and moisture

monitor the health and maturity of the crop

complete records and documentation accurately and promptly

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

principles and practices of seed crop maintenance

appropriate legislative requirements, manufacturer’s instructions and organisation procedures/instructions

contractor machinery cleanliness

environmental impacts associated with the operation of machinery and equipment in a harvesting context

general machine maintenance procedures

hygiene requirements for agricultural crops and equipment that comes into contact with the crop

machinery operating principles and safe operating methods

organisation recording and reporting procedures

potential hazards associated with the operation of basic tools and equipment

signs of pest and disease infestation (such as bacterial wilt in lucerne), moisture stress and nutrient deficiencies

symptoms of crop lacking health and vigour

types and uses of herbicides, insecticides and other pesticides and alternative pest control methods (non-chemical)

work health and safety and pesticides legislative and enterprise requirements

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. Assess seed crop condition, growth and requirements

1.1 Monitor crops to assess their condition and needs and report observations

1.2 Identify, monitor and report pests and diseases at nominated threshold levels

1.3 Establish sites for regular measurement of soil moisture in consultation with directions

1.4 Use soil probe to measure moisture levels and soil water percentage calculated

2. Apply fertiliser and amendments

2.1 Identify work health and safety hazards, assess risks and implement suitable controls

2.2 Select, use and maintain suitable personal protective equipment (PPE)

2.3 Apply specialist sprays according to label directions and industry standards for growth stages

2.4 Carry out chipping or spot spraying as required

2.5 Assess, record and report crop growth stages

2.6 Apply water according to the identified need

2.7 Undertake all applications in the full consideration of adverse environmental impacts

3. Monitor crop condition, growth and requirements

3.1 Monitor crop maturity and report the possible need for further applications

3.2 Monitor the health of the crop and report deviation from expected growth and vigour

3.3 Report observations of crop ripening for the timing of harvest to be determined by contractors and property manager

4. Complete cleaning and hygiene operations

4.1 Clean equipment in accordance with certified seed procedures

4.2 Dispose of all containers, leftover fluids, waste and debris from the maintenance and servicing work

4.3 Complete records and documentation

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:

implement pest and disease control strategies

monitor crops for levels of pests and diseases and moisture

monitor the health and maturity of the crop

complete records and documentation accurately and promptly

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

principles and practices of seed crop maintenance

appropriate legislative requirements, manufacturer’s instructions and organisation procedures/instructions

contractor machinery cleanliness

environmental impacts associated with the operation of machinery and equipment in a harvesting context

general machine maintenance procedures

hygiene requirements for agricultural crops and equipment that comes into contact with the crop

machinery operating principles and safe operating methods

organisation recording and reporting procedures

potential hazards associated with the operation of basic tools and equipment

signs of pest and disease infestation (such as bacterial wilt in lucerne), moisture stress and nutrient deficiencies

symptoms of crop lacking health and vigour

types and uses of herbicides, insecticides and other pesticides and alternative pest control methods (non-chemical)

work health and safety and pesticides legislative and enterprise requirements

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
Monitor crops to assess their condition and needs and report observations 
Identify, monitor and report pests and diseases at nominated threshold levels 
Establish sites for regular measurement of soil moisture in consultation with directions 
Use soil probe to measure moisture levels and soil water percentage calculated 
Identify work health and safety hazards, assess risks and implement suitable controls 
Select, use and maintain suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) 
Apply specialist sprays according to label directions and industry standards for growth stages 
Carry out chipping or spot spraying as required 
Assess, record and report crop growth stages 
Apply water according to the identified need 
Undertake all applications in the full consideration of adverse environmental impacts 
Monitor crop maturity and report the possible need for further applications 
Monitor the health of the crop and report deviation from expected growth and vigour 
Report observations of crop ripening for the timing of harvest to be determined by contractors and property manager 
Clean equipment in accordance with certified seed procedures 
Dispose of all containers, leftover fluids, waste and debris from the maintenance and servicing work 
Complete records and documentation 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCSDP303 - Maintain seed crops
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

AHCSDP303 - Maintain seed crops

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: