Google Links

Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Locate and access assistance in developing the OMP
   • Sources of support and advice including agricultural extension officers and training programs are located and accessed.
   • Industry publications and internet sources are assessed for their value in informing decision making.
   • Contributions of work colleagues and others are sought and considered during planning process.
2. Design the organic farming system to be described in the OMP
   • Map of property to be covered by OMP is developed or obtained.
   • Time scale to be addressed in plan is determined.
   • Information on soil fertility and management, and weed, pest, disease and animal health status and their interrelationships is collected to serve as benchmarks for development of management options in plan.
   • Regional catchment targets for land, water and biodiversity are obtained and those applicable to property and sub-catchment are identified.
   • Components of OMP that need to be developed are identified.
   • Suitable format for planning documents is developed.
3. Develop soil fertility plan
   • A soil fertility assessment of farm production areas is undertaken or commissioned.
   • Soil types and topography are mapped on farm plan.
   • Soil fertility plan is developed and documented that amends soil chemistry, soil structure and soil biology, based on assessment results, overall budget and intended cropping regime.
   • Appropriate inputs are identified according to the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce.
   • Plan is documented according to established format.
4. Develop soil management sub-plan
   • Suitability of land for production is determined based on soil type, slope, aspect and previous use.
   • Soil management plan to enhance soil structure and prevent compaction and water logging is developed.
   • Appropriate inputs are identified according to the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce.
   • Sub-plan is documented according to established format.
5. Develop weed management sub-plan
   • Problematic weed species are identified and weeds are observed as an indicator of soil health.
   • Life cycles of weeds species are identified to inform management options.
   • Appropriate inputs are identified according to the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce.
   • Options for managing weeds are developed.
   • Sub-plan is documented according to established format.
6. Develop and design an integrated pest and disease management sub-plan
   • Evidence of pest and disease burden in farming system is collected and documented.
   • Pests and diseases and their life cycles are observed and monitored.
   • Evidence of pest and disease burden is evaluated in order to develop strategy for management.
   • Pests and diseases are evaluated as indicators of farming system health.
   • Options for addressing pest and disease issues, including improving soil health, are identified.
   • Appropriate inputs are identified according to the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce.
   • Sub-plan is documented according to established format.
7. Develop animal health sub-plan
   • Regional and farm-based animal health issues are identified.
   • Options for preventative actions aimed at establishing and maintaining optimal animal health are identified.
   • Options for treating animal health issues are identified.
   • Sub-plan is documented according to established format.
8. Integrate and finalise the organic management plan
   • Sub-plans for soil fertility and management, and weed, pest, disease and animal health are integrated.
   • Record-keeping system is developed and implemented to track various components of OMP as they are put into practice and reviewed.
   • OMP is reviewed and updated annually.

Required Skills

Required skills

carry out property planning undertake soil assessment interpret the landscape observe cycles patterns change and systems dynamics use lateral thinking and a systems approach to develop solutions to problems apply ecological principles to agricultural production complete production planning access industry information monitor the farming system use literacy skills to fulfil job roles as required by the organisation The level of skill may range from reading and understanding documentation to completion of written reports use oral communication skillslanguage competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning active listening asking for clarification negotiating solutions and responding to a range of views use numeracy skills to estimate calculate and record complex workplace measures 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

principles of organic agriculture especially fundamental role of soil health principles of sustainable production requirements and components of an OMP systems approach to agriculture and horticulture organic and biodynamic certification requirements

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 identify and develop required components of an OMP for a property understand and use interrelationships between soil plant and animal health and farming systems resilience when developing plan identify options for prevention and treatment of risks apply appropriate regional catchment targets document the plan in compliance with certification requirements
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

---

Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.
Organic management plans may include:	the conversion of an agricultural or horticultural farm to an organic, biological and ecological system.

---