This unit covers managing mushroom substrate preparation and defines the standard required to: monitor and manipulate all interactions between inputs, conditions and outputs for each stage of substrate process; record and analyse production data; establish and review farm procedures for mushroom substrate preparation; set and monitor productivity standards for mushroom substrate and rest of production cycle.
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application
This unit applies to the role of managers either in a general mushroom farming enterprise or in a specialist substrate preparation enterprise.
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: Confirm status of system requirements for mushroom substrate preparation
Mushroom substrate preparation processes are overseen and managed to ensure that work is performed according to farm procedures, and that all equipment is operated according to manufacturer instructions and at a speed that maintains safe and continuous operation.
Details of quantities of substrate required and dates/times to be achieved for each process stage are determined and communicated to personnel involved in the various stages of substrate preparation.
Availability, quality, serviceability, and cleanliness of all rooms, work areas, machinery, equipment and materials required for mushroom substrate preparation are ascertained.
Staff duties and responsibilities are allocated.
Where problems with process are identified, remedial action is initiated as required and according to farm procedures.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and clothing are selected and used by all personnel involved in mushroom substrate processing tasks.
Impact of mushroom substrate preparation processes on other enterprise activities is determined, personnel advised and adjustments to schedules and operations are made where required and according to farm procedures.
Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements and hazards associated with each task are identified and appropriate action is taken to minimise risks to self and others.
Site quarantine protocols and farm and personal hygiene requirements are determined, applied and managed as required.
All work of team is managed to ensure that it is performed according to farm procedures and in an environmentally aware and safe manner.
Element: Confirm quality and consistency of Phase II outputs
Phase II process is managed to ensure it conforms to required production schedule and farm procedures.
Key factors and critical points are recorded.
Random representative samples of end product are taken in line with farm procedures and are dispatched to laboratory for analysis.
Test results are recorded in farm records, compared to farm standards and remedial action is taken if required.
Element: Monitor and manipulate spawning and spawn run
Condition and quality of compost are assessed before spawning and, if required, remedial action is taken according to farm procedures.
Temperature readings are taken and recorded according to farm procedures and adjustments are made to thermostat if required.
Carbon dioxide content is measured, recorded and controlled according to farm procedures.
Spawn growth and appearance of mycelium are monitored during spawn run period.
Where supplement is to be added to substrate at spawning, product and its rate of application are selected and instructions are given to appropriate personnel.
Room hygiene and occurrence of pests and diseases are monitored and, if required, control measures are implemented according to farm procedures.
Element: Manage clean-up procedure
Clean-up activities at the end of each process stage are managed to ensure they comply with farm procedures.
Cook-out or chemical disinfestations treatment is conducted as appropriate prior to removal of spent substrate.
Return of equipment and hand tools to storage area after cleaning, basic preventative maintenance and checking for future serviceability is monitored to ensure compliance with farm procedures.
Faults are reported to maintenance personnel for remedial action.
Inventory of all inputs is made to ensure availability of sufficient stock for future use.
Records are completed legibly and accurately according to farm procedures.
Feedback on performance is provided to personnel under supervision.
Own performance is assessed, feedback on performance sought and any required improvements are noted for future action.
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:
monitor and manipulate all interactions between inputs, conditions and outputs for each stage of substrate process
record and analyse production data
establish and review farm procedures for mushroom substrate preparation
set and monitor productivity standards for mushroom substrate and rest of production cycle.
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
identifying hazards and overseeing safe work practices
accepting responsibility for quality of own work
contributing to productive work environment
developing work schedules
explaining quality standards and task requirements to personnel
managing own work and that of others
monitoring and recording key parameters including environmental impacts
observing employment requirements
promoting workplace cooperation
use literacy skills to read, interpret and follow organisational policies and procedures, develop sequenced written instructions, record accurately and legibly information collected and select and apply procedures to a range of tasks
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 routine and more complex workplace measures and data
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
casing function, application, required depth and required surface structure
detailed knowledge of all stages in Phase II substrate preparation process
farm standards and procedures, including those relating to OHS, food safety, Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), quality systems, emergency procedures, organisational structure and workplace communication channels and protocols
how mushrooms are grown, with a focus on interaction between compost, environmental factors (such as temperature, water, relative humidity, carbon dioxide and ammonia) and mushroom growth
industry and workplace awards and conditions
key parameters to be recorded and monitored and appropriate ranges in relation to temperature, ammonia, relative humidity, moisture content, carbon dioxide and time
overview of Phase I compost production
overview of mushroom production cycle and possible impact of deviations from farm standards on substrate and rest of production cycle
relevant legislation and industry codes of practice
site quarantine protocols.
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.
Mushroom substrate may include:
the range of ingredients and processes required for Phase II compost preparation and a range of mushroom substrate components and products.
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
Mushroom substrate preparation processes are overseen and managed to ensure that work is performed according to farm procedures, and that all equipment is operated according to manufacturer instructions and at a speed that maintains safe and continuous operation.
Details of quantities of substrate required and dates/times to be achieved for each process stage are determined and communicated to personnel involved in the various stages of substrate preparation.
Availability, quality, serviceability, and cleanliness of all rooms, work areas, machinery, equipment and materials required for mushroom substrate preparation are ascertained.
Staff duties and responsibilities are allocated.
Where problems with process are identified, remedial action is initiated as required and according to farm procedures.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and clothing are selected and used by all personnel involved in mushroom substrate processing tasks.
Impact of mushroom substrate preparation processes on other enterprise activities is determined, personnel advised and adjustments to schedules and operations are made where required and according to farm procedures.
Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements and hazards associated with each task are identified and appropriate action is taken to minimise risks to self and others.
Site quarantine protocols and farm and personal hygiene requirements are determined, applied and managed as required.
All work of team is managed to ensure that it is performed according to farm procedures and in an environmentally aware and safe manner.
Phase II process is managed to ensure it conforms to required production schedule and farm procedures.
Key factors and critical points are recorded.
Random representative samples of end product are taken in line with farm procedures and are dispatched to laboratory for analysis.
Test results are recorded in farm records, compared to farm standards and remedial action is taken if required.
Condition and quality of compost are assessed before spawning and, if required, remedial action is taken according to farm procedures.
Temperature readings are taken and recorded according to farm procedures and adjustments are made to thermostat if required.
Carbon dioxide content is measured, recorded and controlled according to farm procedures.
Spawn growth and appearance of mycelium are monitored during spawn run period.
Where supplement is to be added to substrate at spawning, product and its rate of application are selected and instructions are given to appropriate personnel.
Room hygiene and occurrence of pests and diseases are monitored and, if required, control measures are implemented according to farm procedures.
Clean-up activities at the end of each process stage are managed to ensure they comply with farm procedures.
Cook-out or chemical disinfestations treatment is conducted as appropriate prior to removal of spent substrate.
Return of equipment and hand tools to storage area after cleaning, basic preventative maintenance and checking for future serviceability is monitored to ensure compliance with farm procedures.
Faults are reported to maintenance personnel for remedial action.
Inventory of all inputs is made to ensure availability of sufficient stock for future use.
Records are completed legibly and accurately according to farm procedures.
Feedback on performance is provided to personnel under supervision.
Own performance is assessed, feedback on performance sought and any required improvements are noted for future action.