Elements and Performance Criteria
- Develop agricultural crop establishment program
- Production targets for each crop type are established, consistent with marketing and enterprise objectives.
- Plant varieties are selected that are best suited to soil, climate, seasonal conditions and marketing goals.
- Irrigation schedules, where required, are determined for each soil and crop type based on assessed water requirements, rainfall and evapo-transpiration data.
- Nutrient requirements for crops are assessed to determine appropriate fertiliser program.
- Budgetary constrains are identified and maintained according to enterprise requirements.
- A crop establishment program is developed to meet the production targets and enterprise objectives specified in the crop production plan.
- Manage crop maintenance
- Strategic grazing may be planned to reduce or eradicate areas of weed infestation.
- Fertiliser applications and rates are determined appropriate to crop type and applied accordingly.
- Crop nutrient requirements are determined to ensure sustainability and achievement of yield.
- Soil moisture is monitored and watering schedule adjusted if appropriate.
- Processes to minimise waste and soil degradation are introduced and implemented according to environmental procedures.
- Monitor an agricultural crop through to harvest
- Longer term trends in weed, pest and disease incidence are determined, and any necessary changes to control measures are implemented.
- Soil structure and erosion are monitored and necessary changes to cultural practices, grazing management and drainage are determined.
- Irrigation and drainage systems are checked regularly and maintained if appropriate.
- Grazing management is monitored to ensure crop production levels.
- Crop maturity is monitored and harvesting is undertaken to meet marketing and production targets.
- Record production level and review cropping strategies
- Crop yields are monitored and evaluated against forecast production levels.
- Grazing and cropping programs are evaluated for efficiency and effectiveness, and documented for future best practice.
- Evaluation of production performance is undertaken and documented for use in reviewing and revising management program.
- Physical and financial records of production are maintained for analysis and evaluation of production performance.