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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Determine condition of agricultural crops
   • Measurement and assessment of soil moisture is undertaken to calculate soil water percentage.
   • Water requirements are calculated according to soil analysis data, standing crop, and forecast weather conditions.
   • Nutrient requirements and availability for crops are assessed and deficiencies identified.
   • Factors affecting crop capacity are identified.
   • Sustainable land management is implemented according to enterprise requirements and environmental standards.
2. Determine pest control
   • Evidence of pests and disease is assessed and integrated control measures appropriate to type and species of infestation are determined.
   • Areas of weed infestation, which may be reduced or eradicated, are located and species identified.
   • Integrated control methods are selected to control pests and weeds.
   • Control methods are scheduled at the optimum time with minimal damage to the crop.
   • Severity of infestations and records of treatments are maintained to provide essential data for future management programs.
3. Manage crop health
   • Crop is planned and monitored to maintain water and nutritional requirements for optimal production.
   • Weed and pest levels are monitored and the control program modified as required.
   • Benefits from soil and plant inputs and treatments are assessed and documented for analysis in future management programs.
   • Cropping programs are monitored for efficiency and effectiveness, and documented for future best practice.
   • Relevant data is documented for continual analysis and effective crop management.

Required Skills

Required skills

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 communicate with industry suppliers and other personnel read and interpret Material Safety Data Sheets MSDSs production plans and analysis results estimate and measure pest control treatments 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

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 integrated pest management strategies lifecycles of pest diseases and weeds Occupational Health and Safety OHS legislative requirements relevant codes of practice with regard to the use and control of hazardous substances legislation and codes of practice with regard to environmental protection

Evidence Required

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 accurately assess crop needs carry out crop cultural practices and treatments monitor and assess crop maturity ascertain water requirements from survey advice and weather forecasts accurately measure soil moisture and interpret data determine time of harvest with specialist advice
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

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Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.
The range of crops may include:	wheat and coarse grains cotton grain legumes oilseeds sugar temperate and tropical pastures.

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