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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Identify livestock markets
  2. Select livestock
  3. Purchase livestock
  4. Transport livestock
  5. Evaluate livestock purchases
  6. Identify livestock markets
  7. Select livestock
  8. Purchase livestock
  9. Transport livestock
  10. Evaluate livestock purchases

Range Statement


Performance Evidence

Evidence must demonstrate the candidate's consistency of performance over time.

Candidates must:

apply relevant communication and mathematical skills

assess livestock against enterprise specifications and determine fitness for purpose (suitability for customer requirements and ability to meet customer specifications), including the identification of species and breeds in stockyards or paddocks and calculating dressed carcase weight to determine yield and product price

communicate effectively with producers to provide feedback on enterprise requirements including the presentation of livestock

complete purchase documents accurately

develop open and constructive relationships with key livestock sales and transport personnel

estimate expected yield from species and breeds

evaluate industry methods for purchasing livestock and determine methods suitable for the enterprise

gather and interpret processing and sales data, including customer feedback to analyse quality of livestock purchased

identify and apply relevant workplace health and safety, animal welfare, and workplace requirements

identify potential alliances, key stakeholder networks and information sources to facilitate enterprise access to required livestock and livestock markets

interpret the implications of enterprise ordering and sales forecasts for the purchase of livestock

manage livestock budget including analysis of livestock market trends and enterprise purchase history to determine quality and price parameters, calculating average purchase price per kilo and balancing purchase prices to achieve livestock budget targets

negotiate enterprise requirements for transport of livestock with carrier including animal welfare requirements, enterprise production schedules and enterprise budget requirements

obtain and secure documentation relating to livestock status, purchase and transport

prepare livestock purchasing plans to meet enterprise forecasts of orders and sales including liaison with enterprise personnel to identify production livestock schedules and requirements, analysing enterprise orders and sales, and confirming livestock specifications

present reports according to legal and enterprise requirements

use available communication and information technology to record, monitor and analyse livestock purchase data, including fat scores, prices and pricing structures

address NLIS requirements


Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must demonstrate an in depth technical and theoretical knowledge of:

characteristics of different species and breeds and their suitability for the enterprise's product

identification of animals using brands, tags and tattoos

the requirements of the NLIS system

international, national and local factors affecting the livestock market and describe the implications for the enterprise's operations

livestock classification and conformation or scoring system

customer specifications and their implications for selecting and purchasing stock, including required product or cuts, European Union (EU) closed system, Japanese ox

enterprise ethical standards and the implications for operations in the livestock market

producer QA programs, including 'Cattle Care' and 'Flock Care'

regulatory requirements affecting the purchase and transportation of livestock

effects of transportation on livestock and product quality

symptoms of infectious and non-infectious diseases to be identified or eliminated when assessing livestock