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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Conduct pre-mulesing evaluations
   • Identify and comply with relevant State/Territory legislation, regulations and animal welfare standards and guidelines
   • Identify industry standards and guidelines
   • Seek expert advice and discuss alternative strategies to manage flystrike susceptibility prior to undertaking mulesing procedures
   • Confirm workplace requirements for use of mulesing
   • Conduct pre-operative evaluation of sheep
   • Assess risks associated with mulesing procedure and implement measures to control the risks such as using appropriate Personal Protective Equipment
2. Prepare for mulesing operations
   • Identify and order all required supplies and equipment in advance
   • Monitor weather conditions to determine optimal conditions for operation and recovery of sheep from the procedure
   • Select suitable time of day for operation to minimise the separation time of lambs and ewes
   • Engage adequate number of skilled workers
   • Select appropriate yards, paddocks and pastures for each mob and each day to allow adequate time for mothering up of lambs after separation from the ewes
   • Use appropriate procedures for mustering, movement and handling so that stress to sheep is kept to a minimum
   • Allow lambs to settle and cool after yarding
3. Select, maintain and use appropriate equipment
   • Maintain all equipment in clean, hygienic and working conditions to reduce the risk of infection and cross-infection in sheep
   • Maintain cradles to be used for mulesing in good working condition and can be operated to ensure minimal risk to the operator or lamb, especially when loading and unloading
   • Set, grind and sharpen mulesing shears to working standards
   • Disinfect mulesing shears after sharpening, before use and between each animal
   • Prepare wash-down, soaking and disinfecting containers for use
   • Prepare and test chemical application equipment to check for operational efficiency
   • Clean and disinfect all equipment at the end of operation and store appropriately to minimise contamination
4. Conduct mulesing procedures
   • Conduct all procedures in accordance with work health and safety, animal welfare and biosecurity requirements
   • Maintain a high standard of hygiene throughout the operation in relation to facilities, operators’ hands, handling and equipment
   • Handle lambs calmly and use appropriate restraints such as cradles
   • Perform mulesing procedure in accordance with model code of practice and industry standards
   • Apply pain relief to the wound immediately after the procedure in accordance with industry standards and legislative requirements, and following label and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) instructions
   • Apply insecticide dressing to the surrounding intact wool bearing skin (not the wound) immediately after the procedure in accordance with industry standards and following label and SDS instructions
   • Continually evaluate wound symmetry, size and position, and breaks in selvage (muscle fascia)
   • Remove lambs from cradles so they land gently on all four feet
5. Conduct post-mulesing management procedures
   • Allow lambs, following release, to 'mother-up' to ewes as soon as possible
   • Provide immediate treatment for lambs that are abandoned or unable to stand or walk
   • Monitor lambs for abnormal signs such as infection and septicaemia
   • Maintain and update required documentation and records

Range Statement

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Performance Evidence

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:

assess alternative strategies and confirm key indicators for the use of mulesing

identify optimal conditions for carrying out mulesing procedures

conduct pre-operative evaluation of lambs submitted for mulesing procedures and risk assessment in consultation with sheep manager

prepare appropriate sites, facilities and equipment in line with infection control, work health and safety and animal welfare standards including pain management in accordance with industry best standards and legislative requirements

follow low stress stock mustering, movement and handling procedures

carry out mulesing operations in accordance with industry recognised best practice mulesing techniques and hygiene standards

follow appropriate procedures and label directions to provide pain relief plus insecticide dressing as required

monitor animals' behaviour post-mulesing for health and well-being including the ability to recognise signs of post-mulesing complications

communicate post-mulesing management requirements to sheep manager

accurately document and maintain appropriate records

follow relevant work health and safety, animal welfare and biosecurity requirements and practices

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Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

relevant work health and safety, animal welfare and biosecurity requirements

relevant codes of practice and industry standards for mulesing

reasons and requirements for mulesing in sheep

body condition scoring (BCS), breech wrinkle scoring (BRWR) and breech cover scoring (BCOV) in lambs and adult sheep

methods and strategies of flystrike control

effects of weather, environmental, facility, flock, individual animal and human factors on mulesing operations

use and maintenance of materials and equipment for mulesing

principles and maintenance of hygiene in mulesing operations

methods and techniques for handling and restraint of adult sheep and lambs

use of pain relief and insecticide treatment in mulesing procedures

anatomy and external features of sheep

health and animal welfare implications of post mulesing complications in sheep

signs of ill health and related management strategies in sheep

use of and regulatory considerations for the use of disinfectants

relevant care, husbandry and management strategies for sheep flocks

relevant legislation, regulations and codes of practice, including those relating to work health and safety, animal welfare, veterinary practitioner/surgeons’ Acts, stock diseases and waste disposal, agricultural and veterinary chemical use

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