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.
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. 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 |
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:
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.
Evidence of Knowledge
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.
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)