Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to maintain pastures and crops 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.
Operating machinery carries risk and candidates should observe all enterprise and manufacturer’s requirements.
This unit applies to individuals who work under broad direction and take responsibility for own work including limited responsibility for the work of others. They use discretion and judgement in the selection and use of available resources and complete routine activities.
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. Monitor & assess agricultural pasture and crop condition, growth and requirements | 1.1 Monitor pasture and crop growth, nutrient status and health regularly and record observations 1.2 Report deviation from expected growth and vigour 1.3 Identify, monitor and report weeds, pests and diseases 1.4 Monitor soil fertility and plant nutrition where required 1.5 Follow directions to establish sites for regular measurement of soil moisture where required. 1.6 Measure moisture levels and calculate soil water percentage using soil probe or other measuring tools 1.7 Report observations of pasture and crop ripening to manager to determine the timing of harvest |
2. Undertake pasture and crop health operations | 2.1 Identify work health and safety hazards and implement appropriate controls 2.2 Select, use and maintain appropriate personal protective equipment 2.3 Contribute to an Integrated pest and plant health strategy to address pasture / crop health and growth issues 2.4 Select and use equipment to apply treatments where required 2.5 Follow label instructions and any specialist advice 2.6 Apply specialist sprays appropriately for growth stages 2.7 Apply technology to ensure most efficient performance of operations 2.8 Conduct any required chipping or spot spraying 2.9 Assess, record and report pasture and crop growth stages and keys 2.10 Apply water as required in irrigated situations 2.11 Consider adverse environmental impacts when performing all applications |
3. Complete cleaning and hygiene operations | 3.1 Clean and maintain equipment appropriately 3.2 Dispose of all containers, leftover fluids, waste and debris from the maintenance and servicing work appropriately 3.3 Follow enterprise biosecurity procedures 3.4 Complete all required records and documentation appropriately |
4. Implement grazing strategies | 4.1 Contribute to an integrated pest management program using livestock to conduct stubble and fallow weed control 4.2 Implement appropriate grazing program to maintain pasture and crop production for grazing 4.3 Respond to changes in quantity and quality of available pasture and crop with appropriate grazing management |
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:
detect differences and variations in pasture and crop growth
report/communicate such differences to the supervisor/farm owner
observe and report on health, nutrition and growth of the pasture and crop
monitor pests and disease in pastures and crops
assess pastures and crop maturity
apply sprays and fertilizers as directed
measure soil moisture and relate data to crop requirements
apply technology to ensure most efficient performance of operations
monitor the productivity and feed intake of grazing livestock
assess the impact of grazing on pasture and crop productivity
follow enterprise work health and safety and animal welfare policies and procedures.
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
potential hazards associated with the operation of basic tools, equipment and machinery
general machine maintenance procedures
machinery operating principles and safe operating methods
role of technology in improving efficiency
environmental impacts associated with the operation of machinery and equipment
organisation recording and reporting procedures
symptoms of pasture and crop lacking health and vigour
signs of pest and disease infestation, moisture stress and nutrient deficiencies
hygiene requirements for equipment that comes into contact with the pastures and crops
types and uses of herbicides, insecticides and other pesticides and alternative pest control methods (non-chemical)
work health and safety and pesticides, legislation
different livestock grazing habits
enterprise sustainability practices.
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)