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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Prepare for classing of alpaca fleece
   • Arrange equipment, facilities and layout of shed according to predetermined classing strategy for efficient fleece flow, quality management and pressing
   • Select, use and maintain personal protective equipment and clothing
   • Identify work health and safety hazards, assess risks and implement control measures
   • Apply site quarantine/biosecurity protocols and follow hygiene requirements and monitor as required by owner or manager instructions
   • Place bins and containers appropriately and ensure they are clearly labelled according to classing strategy and quality management system requirements
2. Carry out classing of alpaca fleece
   • Apply safe work practices at all times and use available safety equipment
   • Follow enterprise animal welfare policies
   • Handle and skirt fleece to standards outlined in classing strategy
   • Check fleece to ensure freedom from contamination and stain
   • Check fleece to ensure adequate and optimum skirting
   • Keep different classes of fleece separate as required
   • Appraise fleece for its characteristics
   • Identify fleece of higher and lower market value and make lines that maximise return to fleece owner
   • Class fleece to Alpaca Fleece Classing Code of Practice or as required by alternative selling methods
   • Record data about fleece
3. Dispose of fleece and report on wet fleece
   • Place fleece in correct bins ready for pressing and ensure that cross-contamination does not occur
   • Identify wet fleece as required by classing strategy and report
4. Follow up classing outcomes
   • Seek feedback on classing outcomes and compliance with industry standards from owner or processor and note any required improvements for future action
   • Take action to ensure awareness of changes in classing techniques, standards, and processor and market requirements

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:

identify hazards and implement safe work practices

arrange layout of bins and fleece table in a variety of sheds for optimum efficiency of fleece flow and pressing

label bins and containers correctly

assess pigmented fibre risk and separating fleece as required

check fleece to ensure freedom from contamination and stain

check fleece to ensure optimum and adequate skirting

identify and appraise alpaca fleece characteristics

identify fleece of higher and lower market value and ensuring lines are made that maximise return to grower

class alpaca fleece according to the Alpaca Fleece Classing Code of Practice or as required by alternative selling methods

seek feedback on classing outcomes and compliance with industry standards from owner or processor

implement enterprise work health and safety polices

implement enterprise biosecurity policies and animal welfare practices

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Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

classing requirements for the range of customers

effect of genetics and environment on fibre characteristics

fleece growth, skin and fibre biology

fleece measurement criteria and techniques used to measure fleece characteristics

inherent alpaca fleece characteristics (such as diameter, length and strength, colour, vegetable matter amount and type and yield

interpretation of test results

preparation of documentation of fleece clips

Alpaca Fleece Classing Code of Practice

principles of classing

raw fleece characteristics and their effect on processing and final product

features of shed layouts that promote efficient fleece flow and handling.

requirements of work health and safety legislation, biosecurity and animal welfare codes of practice

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