Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to develop production plans for agricultural and horticultural crops.
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 demonstrate deep knowledge in a specific technical area, take personal responsibility and exercise autonomy in undertaking complex work. They organise the work of self and others and analyse, design and communicate solutions to sometimes complex problems.
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. Select crop species and variety | 1.1 Establish production targets for each crop type, consistent with marketing and enterprise objectives 1.2 Assess and select crop types and varieties for their market potential and gross margin returns for the farm environment 1.3 Select most profitable cultural practices and rotations, consistent with disease and pest management strategies, available machinery resources, and management for sustainability of resources 1.4 Assess technology to ensure most efficient performance of operations 1.5 Identify production risks for each crop and determine strategies to address these 1.6 Identify environmental risks and develop appropriate strategies |
2. Establish yield potential and quality specification for crop | 2.1 Source relevant benchmark yields, where available, to assist setting target yields 2.2 Analyse past production records and determine the key determinants of yield 2.3 Use appropriate available models for calculating water use efficiency or other key determinants of yield to assist in setting target yields 2.4 Establish quality specifications and target yields for all crops |
3. Prepare crop program | 3.1 Assess proposed crop land areas for nutrient, pest and disease status, water reserves, tillage requirements, and other factors before selecting crop variety 3.2 Use records of chemical use for planning to reduce chemical resistance 3.3 Select crop variety and plan paddock preparation, planting, fertilising and other treatments 3.4 Determine optimum timing of planting, applications and treatments and prepare calendar of operations 3.5 Determine cash flow budget for the cropping program |
4. Review production plan | 4.1 Plan logistical arrangements related to harvesting, transportation, marketing and other key production cycle operations 4.2 Plan and check machinery and equipment requirements for the crop production cycle 4.3 Assess work health and safety requirements of the production plan 4.4 Identify and plan labour requirements for the crop production cycle 4.5 Identify seed, fertiliser, pest and disease treatments and other input requirements 4.6 Establish record keeping system provide data for the analysis of crop performance, and to meet other statutory requirements including records of chemical use 4.7 Review and amend production plan and documented as a final plan |
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:
prepare budgets and gross margins
source and interpret relevant benchmark information from consultants or peers
assess proposed crop land areas for nutrient status by sampling and testing soils and plant tissue
analyse past production records
select crop species and variety
source and interpret relevant benchmark information
select crop species and variety and determine yield potential for crop
demonstrate correct use of technology to improve efficiency
prepare crop programs
review, amend and document the production plan
prepare budgets and gross margins
source and interpret relevant benchmark information
prepare individual paddock plans and a whole farm cropping plan
assess work health and safety implications of the plan.
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
determinants of crop yield
cultural practices related to cropping
role of technology in improving efficiency
market prices, gross margins, cash flow budgets
benchmark performance indicators
disease and pest management for relevant crops
machinery and equipment requirements for cropping
record keeping systems.
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)