Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to plan a pasture establishment program.
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. Determine requirements of the pasture establishment program | 1.1 Assess existing pasture for retention or removal 1.2 Identify appropriate pasture species and cultivars that are best suited to soil, climate, seasonal conditions and livestock goals and calculate, cost and confirm availability with suppliers 1.3 Select appropriate pasture establishment procedures that are consistent with seasonal factors, site and soil characteristics, production plans and the resources and equipment available 1.4 Assess technology to ensure most efficient performance of operations 1.5 Plan post-planting care according to production needs, enterprise standards and site capabilities. 1.6 Identify and plan for plant germination and nutrient requirements, taking into account soil characteristics 1.7 Identify, cost and confirm availability of resources, tools, equipment and machinery required for planting and post 1.8 Identify work health and safety hazards associated with the pasture establishment program, assess risks and develop appropriate controls |
Prepare and document the pasture establishment program | 2.1 Prepare detailed plans based on the requirements of the pasture establishment program and production requirements 2.2 Produce plan which can be readily interpreted and understood by on-site personnel appropriately 2.3 Develop on-site planting procedures and schedules and post-planting care of pasture and communicate to staff 2.4 Plan for contingencies and identify applicable alternative strategies |
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 requirements of the pasture establishment program
research suitable pasture species for the site and proposed land use
prepare and document the pasture establishment program
develop strategies for weed, pest and disease control
assess pastures for production potential
assess site factors
select suitable pasture species and cultivars
identify threats to pasture establishment including weeds, pests and diseases
determine resources and equipment for planting and post-planting care
prepare pasture establishment plans to meet livestock production plans and schedules
demonstrate correct use of technology to improve efficiency
implement enterprise work health and safety policies in the context of the work team
implement sustainability practices in the context of the work team.
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
pasture varieties and their characteristics, requirements and production potential
establishment techniques of specific pasture species and cultivars
advantages and disadvantages of a range of pasture establishment procedures
maintenance requirements and practices for specific pasture species and cultivars after initial establishment
livestock production systems and their integration with pasture production
planning process, including costing and scheduling of works
plant identification of pasture and weed species
role of pasture in sustainable land use
role of technology in improving efficiency
environmental impacts of pasture establishment.
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)