Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to assist others to prepare for agricultural crop establishment.
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 work under general supervision and exercise limited autonomy with some accountability for own work. They undertake defined activities and work in a structured context.
No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Element | Performance criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Prepare for agricultural crop establishment operations | 1.1 Follow supervisor instructions about planting 1.2 Select and prepare appropriate machinery, equipment and tools 1.3 Identify work health and safety hazards in crop establishment and report to supervisor 1.4 Select, use and maintain suitable personal protective equipment |
2. Prepare the site for crop establishment | 2.1 Remove and dispose of old crop and other waste materials appropriately 2.2 Apply appropriate soil amendments as directed by supervisor 2.3 Follow the crop production plan as directed by supervisor 2.4 Implement crop protection as directed by supervisor 2.5 Mark out the planting pattern as required by the crop production plan 2.6 Operate machinery, equipment and tools appropriately |
3. Carry out establishment operations | 3.1 Follow instructions to treat planting material 3.2 Handle and transport planting material 3.3 Follow the planting plan |
4. Complete establishment operation | 4.1 Clean and sterilise tools and equipment appropriately 4.2 Dispose of all containers, leftover fluids, waste and debris according to enterprise polices and minimising the impact on the environment 4.3 Complete all required workplace records appropriately 4.4 Apply enterprise biosecurity polices |
Evidence of 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:
communicate with supervisor and team members
carry out ground preparation of the area for planting
read and follow planting plan
apply pre-planting soil treatments
calibrate the planting equipment
treat and plant seed
apply fertiliser with seed at sowing or as a separate operation
apply herbicides under supervision
record all details of sowing
operate a range of crop establishment machinery
follow enterprise work health and safety policies in the context of own work
follow enterprise biosecurity policies in the context of own work.
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
importance of correct timing and procedures for crop planting
field hygiene and quality control in regard to crop establishment
a range of pre-planting soil treatments and their importance
methods of waste disposal causing minimal impact on the environment
hazards and follow safety directions
communication with team members and supervisor
equipment calibration
measurement of quantities of treatment
determination of spacing’s and planting patterns
machinery operation to manufacturers specifications and enterprise procedures
safe application of appropriate agricultural chemicals
enterprise work health and safety and biosecurity polices.
Assessment Conditions
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.
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
Sectors
Broad acre cropping (BAC)