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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Determine requirements
   • Production requirements are identified and clarified according to enterprise objectives.
   • Requirements for the maintenance of milk quality are identified and complied with according to industry standards.
   • Resources and equipment requirements are determined and maintained according to enterprise budgetary constrains.
2. Determine milking procedures
   • Milking schedules and milking policy is determined according to enterprise requirements.
   • Water supplies are checked for availability, and milking equipment is checked and adjusted, as required, to ensure correct operating order.
   • Milking procedures are implemented under a range of conditions, with minimum stress to livestock and maximum yield within reasonable timeframes.
   • Minor malfunctions of equipment or milking systems are rectified to manufacturer's specifications, and more complex repairs are reported for specialist attention.
   • Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards for milking are identified, risks assessed and risk controls are implemented.
3. Implement livestock health treatment program
   • Livestock health and condition is monitored according to health strategy and enterprise requirements.
   • Livestock testing is carried out according to health strategy and remedial action is taken, as required, according to veterinary guidelines and enterprise requirements.
   • Livestock health treatments during drying off are carried out as directed with minimal stress and weight loss according to veterinary guidelines and enterprise requirements.
   • Handling practices are implemented to prevent cross-infection during milking operations according to enterprise requirements.
   • Milk samples are taken in accordance with industry standards and guidelines and labelled correctly.
   • Livestock health records are accurately maintained according to industry standards and enterprise requirements.
4. Coordinate and monitor milking operations
   • Milking procedures are monitored for efficiency, effectiveness and compliance with enterprise requirements.
   • Milk quality is monitored and maintained according to industry standards and enterprise requirements.
   • Costs are monitored to ensure operations are completed and maintained within budget.
   • Work areas and equipment are cleaned to industry standards and waste disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner.
   • Relevant data is documented for analysis and effecting planning management.

Required Skills

Required skills

operate milking and refrigeration equipment maintain satisfactory milk quality analyse and interpret livestock testing data monitor livestock health and identify health problems identify hazards and implement safe operating procedures determine machinery maintenance requirements anticipate emergencies and remove hazards in the workplace implement strict standards of hygiene use literacy skills to read interpret and follow organisational policies and procedures follow sequenced written instructions record accurately and legible information collected and select and apply procedures for a range of tasks use oral communication skillslanguage competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning techniques active listening clarifying information and consulting with supervisors as required use numeracy skills to estimate calculate and record routine workplace measures use interpersonal skills to work with and relate to people from a range of cultural social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities

Required knowledge

functions and controls of the components of milk harvesting cooling and refrigeration and ancillary equipment mechanical operation of a milking plant and the steps necessary for operation industry standards and relevant codes of practice with regard to milking operations procedures for testing milk quality causes of poor milk quality type and control of health problems in dairy cattle including mastitis prevention factors impacting on livestock stress and minimisation procedures water quality and affecting factors hygiene requirements and cleaning systems used for milking equipment livestock behaviour and nutritional requirements lactation in livestock and effect of body reserves and dietary energy intake on lactation milk quality tests relevant OHS legislation regulations and codes of practice

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 schedule and carry out milking operations recognise and rectify machinery malfunctions conduct milk sampling participate in livestock recording programs implement drying off programs according to livestock health strategy clean work areas and milking equipment
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.
Milking operations may include:	co-ordination of milking cows, ewes or does including manual or automatic milking systems in herringbone, conventional or rotary dairies.

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