Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

AHCBAC401 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Manage pastures for livestock production

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency AHCBAC401 - Manage pastures for livestock production
Description
Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to manage pastures for livestock production.All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, work health and safety and biosecurity legislation and codes, and sustainability practices.This unit applies to individuals who take responsibility for own work and for the quality of the work of others. They use discretion and judgement in the selection, allocation and use of available resources.No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.

Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.
Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Develop a pasture management program
  • Assess pasture types on property and seasonal production potential and limitations
  • Confirm or modify livestock production and enterprise objectives to develop production targets achievable by each pasture type
  • Assess grazing and rest period requirements of pasture types for pasture quality, quantity and persistence considerations
  • Assess nutrient requirements for pastures to determine appropriate fertiliser and soil ameliorant program
  • On properties / paddocks with irrigation, determine appropriate irrigation schedules for each soil and pasture type using assessed water requirements, rainfall, Readily Available Water and evapo-transpiration data
  • Identify and plan grazing and fodder conservation strategies
  • Determine infrastructure and resources required to support grazing management
  • Identify and account for budgetary constraints appropriately
  • Develop appropriate pasture management program
  • Identify hazards in pasture management and assess risks
       
Element: Implement pasture management program
  • Identify work health and safety hazards and implement controls
  • Monitor pasture capacity appropriately
  • Implement planned strategic grazing to reduce or eradicate areas of weed infestation and maintain ground cover
  • Determine fertiliser and soil ameliorant applications and rates appropriate to pasture type, soil analysis and production targets, and applied accordingly
  • On properties / paddocks with irrigation, monitor soil moisture and schedule watering
  • Apply technology to ensure most efficient performance of operations
  • Develop and implement appropriate processes to minimise waste, soil degradation and environmental impacts
       
Element: Monitor pasture growth and fodder production
  • Determine longer term trends in weed, pest and disease incidence and implement any identified changes to control measures
  • Monitor soil structure and risks of erosion, determine changes to cultural practices, grazing management and drainage to improve soil quality
  • On properties with irrigation, check and maintain irrigation and drainage systems
  • Monitor grazing management to ensure sustainable pasture and optimal livestock production levels
  • Identify feed surpluses and deficiencies and rectify appropriately
  • Monitor pasture maturity and conduct seed harvesting to meet any marketing and production targets
       
Element: Review production level
  • Monitor pasture yields and evaluate against forecast production levels
  • Evaluate grazing programs for sustainability of the land and pasture resource, and livestock profitability
  • Collect and maintain physical and financial records of production for analysis and evaluation of production performance
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Develop a pasture management program

1.1 Assess pasture types on property and seasonal production potential and limitations

1.2 Confirm or modify livestock production and enterprise objectives to develop production targets achievable by each pasture type

1.3 Assess grazing and rest period requirements of pasture types for pasture quality, quantity and persistence considerations

1.4 Assess nutrient requirements for pastures to determine appropriate fertiliser and soil ameliorant program

1.5 On properties / paddocks with irrigation, determine appropriate irrigation schedules for each soil and pasture type using assessed water requirements, rainfall, Readily Available Water and evapo-transpiration data

1.6 Identify and plan grazing and fodder conservation strategies

1.7 Determine infrastructure and resources required to support grazing management

1.8 Identify and account for budgetary constraints appropriately

1.9 Develop appropriate pasture management program

1.10 Identify hazards in pasture management and assess risks

2. Implement pasture management program

1.1 Identify work health and safety hazards and implement controls

1.2 Monitor pasture capacity appropriately

1.3 Implement planned strategic grazing to reduce or eradicate areas of weed infestation and maintain ground cover

1.4 Determine fertiliser and soil ameliorant applications and rates appropriate to pasture type, soil analysis and production targets, and applied accordingly

1.5 On properties / paddocks with irrigation, monitor soil moisture and schedule watering

1.6 Apply technology to ensure most efficient performance of operations

1.7 Develop and implement appropriate processes to minimise waste, soil degradation and environmental impacts

3. Monitor pasture growth and fodder production

3.1 Determine longer term trends in weed, pest and disease incidence and implement any identified changes to control measures

3.2 Monitor soil structure and risks of erosion, determine changes to cultural practices, grazing management and drainage to improve soil quality

3.3 On properties with irrigation, check and maintain irrigation and drainage systems

3.4 Monitor grazing management to ensure sustainable pasture and optimal livestock production levels

3.5 Identify feed surpluses and deficiencies and rectify appropriately

3.6 Monitor pasture maturity and conduct seed harvesting to meet any marketing and production targets

4. Review production level

4.1 Monitor pasture yields and evaluate against forecast production levels

4.2 Evaluate grazing programs for sustainability of the land and pasture resource, and livestock profitability

4.3 Collect and maintain physical and financial records of production for analysis and evaluation of production performance

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:

determine fertiliser, soil ameliorants and biological inputs required to support production

set objectives and milestones for pasture production

calculate costs

determine soil quality and land use capability

monitor the productivity and feed intake of grazing livestock

develop grazing strategies and plan infrastructure required

assess the impact of grazing on pasture productivity and resilience

identify pasture species and estimate dry matter production of pasture

assess options to control weed infestation

identify strategies for pest and disease control

establish production targets for each pasture type in an enterprise

develop a pasture management program to meet production targets and enterprise objectives

carry out strategic grazing to reduce or eradicate areas of weed infestation

monitor soil health and grazing management to ensure sustainable pasture and optimal livestock production levels

monitor pasture yields and evaluate against forecast production levels

correct use of technology to improve efficiency

maintain relevant physical and financial records for pasture and livestock production

implement work health and safety policies and procedures

implement enterprise environmental management and sustainability practices.

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

land and soil conditions

pasture species and growing requirements

pasture grazing strategies

nutrient requirements and soil fertility

environmental management strategies in land use

safe handling processes for fertilisers

infestation patterns for different types of weed

role of technology in improving efficiency

work health and safety legislative and enterprise requirements

relevant environmental codes of practice, legislation and regulations relating to farm production.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Develop a pasture management program

1.1 Assess pasture types on property and seasonal production potential and limitations

1.2 Confirm or modify livestock production and enterprise objectives to develop production targets achievable by each pasture type

1.3 Assess grazing and rest period requirements of pasture types for pasture quality, quantity and persistence considerations

1.4 Assess nutrient requirements for pastures to determine appropriate fertiliser and soil ameliorant program

1.5 On properties / paddocks with irrigation, determine appropriate irrigation schedules for each soil and pasture type using assessed water requirements, rainfall, Readily Available Water and evapo-transpiration data

1.6 Identify and plan grazing and fodder conservation strategies

1.7 Determine infrastructure and resources required to support grazing management

1.8 Identify and account for budgetary constraints appropriately

1.9 Develop appropriate pasture management program

1.10 Identify hazards in pasture management and assess risks

2. Implement pasture management program

1.1 Identify work health and safety hazards and implement controls

1.2 Monitor pasture capacity appropriately

1.3 Implement planned strategic grazing to reduce or eradicate areas of weed infestation and maintain ground cover

1.4 Determine fertiliser and soil ameliorant applications and rates appropriate to pasture type, soil analysis and production targets, and applied accordingly

1.5 On properties / paddocks with irrigation, monitor soil moisture and schedule watering

1.6 Apply technology to ensure most efficient performance of operations

1.7 Develop and implement appropriate processes to minimise waste, soil degradation and environmental impacts

3. Monitor pasture growth and fodder production

3.1 Determine longer term trends in weed, pest and disease incidence and implement any identified changes to control measures

3.2 Monitor soil structure and risks of erosion, determine changes to cultural practices, grazing management and drainage to improve soil quality

3.3 On properties with irrigation, check and maintain irrigation and drainage systems

3.4 Monitor grazing management to ensure sustainable pasture and optimal livestock production levels

3.5 Identify feed surpluses and deficiencies and rectify appropriately

3.6 Monitor pasture maturity and conduct seed harvesting to meet any marketing and production targets

4. Review production level

4.1 Monitor pasture yields and evaluate against forecast production levels

4.2 Evaluate grazing programs for sustainability of the land and pasture resource, and livestock profitability

4.3 Collect and maintain physical and financial records of production for analysis and evaluation of production performance

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Assess pasture types on property and seasonal production potential and limitations 
Confirm or modify livestock production and enterprise objectives to develop production targets achievable by each pasture type 
Assess grazing and rest period requirements of pasture types for pasture quality, quantity and persistence considerations 
Assess nutrient requirements for pastures to determine appropriate fertiliser and soil ameliorant program 
On properties / paddocks with irrigation, determine appropriate irrigation schedules for each soil and pasture type using assessed water requirements, rainfall, Readily Available Water and evapo-transpiration data 
Identify and plan grazing and fodder conservation strategies 
Determine infrastructure and resources required to support grazing management 
Identify and account for budgetary constraints appropriately 
Develop appropriate pasture management program 
Identify hazards in pasture management and assess risks 
Identify work health and safety hazards and implement controls 
Monitor pasture capacity appropriately 
Implement planned strategic grazing to reduce or eradicate areas of weed infestation and maintain ground cover 
Determine fertiliser and soil ameliorant applications and rates appropriate to pasture type, soil analysis and production targets, and applied accordingly 
On properties / paddocks with irrigation, monitor soil moisture and schedule watering 
Apply technology to ensure most efficient performance of operations 
Develop and implement appropriate processes to minimise waste, soil degradation and environmental impacts 
Determine longer term trends in weed, pest and disease incidence and implement any identified changes to control measures 
Monitor soil structure and risks of erosion, determine changes to cultural practices, grazing management and drainage to improve soil quality 
On properties with irrigation, check and maintain irrigation and drainage systems 
Monitor grazing management to ensure sustainable pasture and optimal livestock production levels 
Identify feed surpluses and deficiencies and rectify appropriately 
Monitor pasture maturity and conduct seed harvesting to meet any marketing and production targets 
Monitor pasture yields and evaluate against forecast production levels 
Evaluate grazing programs for sustainability of the land and pasture resource, and livestock profitability 
Collect and maintain physical and financial records of production for analysis and evaluation of production performance 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCBAC401 - Manage pastures for livestock production
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

AHCBAC401 - Manage pastures for livestock production

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: