This unit applies to working under limited supervision. It will usually follow set routines, methods and procedures. Overall progress may be checked periodically. Some discretion and judgement is required in the selection of equipment and materials, organisation of work, and services.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Monitor and assess livestock health and welfare

1.1. Regular checks are taken to assess livestock health and welfare according to the requirements of the organisation.

1.2. Symptoms of ill health and common diseases, disorders or parasite infestations are recognised and reported.

1.3. Livestock are handled calmly and according to enterprise procedures.

2. Implement livestock health and welfare procedures

2.1. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards in the workplace are recognised and safety issues reported according to enterprise requirements.

2.2. Quarantine and biosecurity procedures are maintained as instructed to minimise the risks of disease introduction.

2.3. Thorough personal hygiene practices are maintained in all activities associated with handling livestock, including reducing risks from diseases transmissible to humans.

2.4. Sick or dead livestock are safely treated and humanely destroyed, if necessary.

2.5. Environmental implications associated with livestock husbandry practices are identified, assessed and relevant measures implemented.

3. Administer drenches, vaccines and prescribed medicines to livestock

3.1. Livestock treatment site and facilities are prepared to industry standards in line with enterprise requirements.

3.2. Livestock treatments are prepared and confirmed against work plan in line with manufacturer's specifications and work plan.

3.3. Livestock are mustered safely, yarded, controlled, inspected and identified for treatment in line with enterprise requirements.

3.4. Safe workplace practices with regard to livestock handling are observed and implemented in line with OHS and enterprise requirements.

3.5. Treatment is administered in accordance with manufacturer's specifications, enterprise and animal welfare legislative requirements.

4. Prepare, maintain and store animal health equipment

4.1. Equipment and materials for treating livestock are checked for safe and sound operation and confirmed against work plan.

4.2. Syringes, needles and other veterinary medicine containers are placed in allocated disposal containers, with tips removed from needles prior to disposal.

4.3. Equipment, materials and facilities used for treatments are cleaned, maintained and stored in line with manufacturer's specifications, OHS and enterprise requirements.

4.4. Livestock residues and waste are disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner in line with OHS and enterprise requirements.

5. Monitor treated livestock and maintain records

5.1. Livestock are monitored post-treatment for signs of treatment effectiveness.

5.2. Livestock health and condition abnormalities are recognised and reported in accordance with enterprise requirements.

5.3. Disease information is reported to the manager so that prevention strategies can be planned and implemented.

5.4. Disease incidence, livestock losses, and treatments are recorded accurately according to organisation practice and relevant regulations.

5.5. All records made, kept and maintained are clear, accurate, and follow the guidelines laid down by industry and the organisation.

Required skills

identify hazards and follow safe work practices

apply biosecurity procedures

accurately count and record livestock numbers

complete worksheets clearly and accurately

detect possibility of disease through parameters such as behaviour and length of time required to eat food

use veterinary medicines and chemicals according to label and legislative requirements

dispose of unused prepared chemicals or medications, sharps and other contaminated items safely and in an environmentally correct manner

observe, identify and react appropriately to environmental implications and OHS hazards

recognise clinical symptoms (normal vs. abnormal)

recognise fear and aggression

recognise heat stress

survey workplace for hygiene and OHS issues

tag livestock of varying ages

use computing technology to create, maintain and amend workplace records

use literacy skills to follow sequenced written instructions and record information accurately and legibly

use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and seeking advice from supervisor

use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures

use interpersonal skills to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge

environmental controls and codes of practice applicable to the enterprise

livestock handling principles

water quality and animal requirements

feed requirements and quality

enterprise biosecurity and euthanasia procedures

safe handling of sick and dead livestock

signs of fear and aggression

signs of heat stress

symptoms of ill-health in livestock

the organisation's livestock production and management plans - sound management practices and processes to minimise noise, odours and debris from the livestock operations

the range of diseases affecting the class and age of livestock

vaccination programs, vaccines and mode of action in use in the organisation

withholding periods for use of antibiotics

zoonotic diseases and mode of transmission.

relevant legislation and regulations relating to waste and environment management, livestock health, stock medicines and welfare

relevant OHS legislation, regulations and codes of practice.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

monitor and assess livestock health and welfare.

select, use and maintain specialised animal health equipment

prepare treatment site, facilities and equipment

administer drenches, vaccines and medication to livestock.

monitor the effectiveness of treatments and report issues

keep and maintain records.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Livestock may include:

beef cattle

dairy cattle

sheep

goats

alpacas.

Unit sector

Livestock

This unit contains employability skills.