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

AHCBAC503A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Manage integrated crop and pasture production

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency AHCBAC503A - Manage integrated crop and pasture production
Description This unit covers managing integrated crop and pasture production and defines the standard required to: develop a pasture and crop program to meet production targets and enterprise objectives; maintain the productivity of crops and pastures in a farming system; monitor soil structure and erosion and make required changes to cultural practices and grazing management; implement grazing strategies to optimise pasture and livestock production levels and support the cropping program; evaluate grazing and cropping programs for efficiency and effectiveness; and use physical and financial records of production to evaluate production performance.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit applies to farm managers whose job function includes managing integrated crop and pasture production.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
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 and crop program
  • Production targets for each crop and pasture type are established consistent with marketing and enterprise objectives.
  • Plant varieties are selected that are best suited to soil, climate, seasonal conditions and marketing goals.
  • Irrigation schedules, where required, are determined for each soil and crop/pasture type based on assessed water requirements, rainfall and evapo-transpiration data.
  • Nutrient requirements for crops and pastures are assessed to determine appropriate fertiliser program.
  • Budgetary constraints are identified and maintained according to enterprise requirements.
  • A pasture and crop program is developed to meet production targets and enterprise objectives.
       
Element: Implement pasture and crop management program
  • Pasture and crop program is implemented and pasture capacity is monitored according to enterprise requirements.
  • Strategic grazing is carried out, where necessary, to reduce or eradicate areas of weed infestation, where planned.
  • Fertiliser applications and rates are determined appropriate to crop/pasture type and applied accordingly.
  • Crop and pasture nutrient requirements are applied to ensure achievement of yield and sustainability of pasture.
  • Soil moisture is monitored and watering scheduled adjusted as required.
  • Processes to minimise waste and soil degradation are introduced and implemented according to environmental standards.
       
Element: Monitor crop/pasture growth and fodder production
  • Longer term trends in weed, pest and disease incidence are determined and any necessary changes to control measures are implemented.
  • Soil structure and erosion are monitored and necessary changes to cultural practices, grazing management and drainage are determined.
  • Irrigation and drainage systems are checked regularly and maintained, if appropriate.
  • Grazing management is monitored to ensure high pasture and livestock production levels.
  • Livestock are integrated into the cropping cycle through grazing of pastures returning to crop, stubbles and crop residues, and dual purpose crops.
  • Feed surpluses and deficiencies are identified and appropriate action taken according to enterprise requirements.
  • Crop/pasture maturity is monitored and harvesting is undertaken to meet marketing and production targets.
       
Element: Review production level
  • Pasture and crop yields are monitored and evaluated against forecast production levels.
  • Grazing and cropping programs are evaluated for efficiency and effectiveness, and documented for future best practice.
  • Evaluation of production performance of each enterprise is undertaken and documented for use in reviewing and revising management program.
  • Physical and financial records of production are maintained 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.

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:

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

maintain the productivity of crops and pastures in a farming system

monitor soil structure and erosion and make required changes to cultural practices and grazing management

implement grazing strategies to optimise pasture and livestock production levels and support the cropping program

evaluate grazing and cropping programs for efficiency and effectiveness

use physical and financial records of production to evaluate production performance.

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.

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.

Required skills

measure and assess quantities of fertiliser

apply environmental protection strategies in land use

set objectives and milestones

determine soil quality and land use capability

predict patterns of weed infestation

design irrigation processes to avoid soil degradation

assess financial strategies and prepare budgets

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 skills/language 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

land and soil conditions

effects of nutrients of soil types

financial analysis techniques

environmental protection strategies

cultivation requirements for different types of crop

safe handling processes for fertilisers

infestation patterns for different types of weed

OHS and environmental legislation codes of practice and enterprise procedures.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Pastures may include:

all unimproved and improved rangelands used for grazing

temperate and tropical pastures

crop stubble

shrubs and trees

residues that may be used for stock feed.

Crops may include:

agricultural broadacre crops, including wheat and coarse grains

grain legumes

oilseeds

sugar

temperate and tropical pastures

intensive fruit and vegetable crops

field and tree crops

vines

hay crops.

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
Production targets for each crop and pasture type are established consistent with marketing and enterprise objectives. 
Plant varieties are selected that are best suited to soil, climate, seasonal conditions and marketing goals. 
Irrigation schedules, where required, are determined for each soil and crop/pasture type based on assessed water requirements, rainfall and evapo-transpiration data. 
Nutrient requirements for crops and pastures are assessed to determine appropriate fertiliser program. 
Budgetary constraints are identified and maintained according to enterprise requirements. 
A pasture and crop program is developed to meet production targets and enterprise objectives. 
Pasture and crop program is implemented and pasture capacity is monitored according to enterprise requirements. 
Strategic grazing is carried out, where necessary, to reduce or eradicate areas of weed infestation, where planned. 
Fertiliser applications and rates are determined appropriate to crop/pasture type and applied accordingly. 
Crop and pasture nutrient requirements are applied to ensure achievement of yield and sustainability of pasture. 
Soil moisture is monitored and watering scheduled adjusted as required. 
Processes to minimise waste and soil degradation are introduced and implemented according to environmental standards. 
Longer term trends in weed, pest and disease incidence are determined and any necessary changes to control measures are implemented. 
Soil structure and erosion are monitored and necessary changes to cultural practices, grazing management and drainage are determined. 
Irrigation and drainage systems are checked regularly and maintained, if appropriate. 
Grazing management is monitored to ensure high pasture and livestock production levels. 
Livestock are integrated into the cropping cycle through grazing of pastures returning to crop, stubbles and crop residues, and dual purpose crops. 
Feed surpluses and deficiencies are identified and appropriate action taken according to enterprise requirements. 
Crop/pasture maturity is monitored and harvesting is undertaken to meet marketing and production targets. 
Pasture and crop yields are monitored and evaluated against forecast production levels. 
Grazing and cropping programs are evaluated for efficiency and effectiveness, and documented for future best practice. 
Evaluation of production performance of each enterprise is undertaken and documented for use in reviewing and revising management program. 
Physical and financial records of production are maintained for analysis and evaluation of production performance. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCBAC503A - Manage integrated crop and pasture 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

AHCBAC503A - Manage integrated crop and pasture 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: