This unit normally involves working under routine supervision within enterprise guidelines.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Check health status of animals

1.1. Condition and health status of animals is checked and confirmed against enterprise health strategies and records.

1.2. Signs of poor health and condition or abnormal behaviour are recognised and reported to the supervisor for remedial action.

1.3. Preventative health treatments are arranged and administered according to manufacturer specifications and the supervisor's instructions.

1.4. Existing and potential hazards in the workplace are identified and risk is assessed and controlled according to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements.

1.5. Environmental implications associated with production are identified, assessed and reported to the supervisor.

2. Identify pregnant animals

2.1. Animals are identified and separated on basis of pregnancy status according to enterprise guidelines.

2.2. Dry animals are identified and procedures implemented according to enterprise requirements.

2.3. Additional assistance required for assessing pregnancy status is reported to the supervisor for remedial action.

3. Feed pregnant animal

3.1. Nutritional needs of pregnant animals are identified and confirmed against the feeding plan according to enterprise requirements.

3.2. Animals with special feeding needs are identified and given preferential feeding, and are recorded according to enterprise requirements.

3.3. Supplementary feeding is implemented as required and recorded according to enterprise requirements.

3.4. A safe and secure environment for pregnant animals is maintained according to enterprise requirements.

3.5. Handling is conducted with minimum stress and discomfort to the animals without excessive yarding or shedding according to animal welfare and enterprise requirements.

Required skills

identify hazards and follow safety directions

administer preventative health treatments

calculate animal numbers, measure feed, assess rate and frequency of feeding, and calculate animal gestation

carry out basic repairs to paddocks, shelter, and housing

communicate orally and in writing, animal behaviour and identified abnormalities

control environmental impacts associated with animal production

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

handle pregnant animals with due care

observe and accurately report animal behaviour

observe local climatic conditions

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

effects of adverse weather conditions and inadequate nutrition on pregnant animals and their newborn

effect of local climatic conditions on the timing of shearing, separating and transporting pregnant animals

environment codes of practice with regard to animal production

handling techniques for dry and pregnant animals

health and nutritional requirements for pregnant animals

housing requirements for intensively produced animals

livestock identification methods

OHS and animal welfare legislative requirements

pregnant animals behaviour and abnormalities

pregnancy checking and confirmation procedures (including scanning)

preventative health treatments, procedures and methods.

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:

observe livestock health and wellbeing from joining

maintain appropriate nutritional and environmental requirements

recognise and report abnormalities for remedial action

provide a safe and secure environment for the promotion of the welfare and wellbeing of pregnant animals through to birthing.

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:

cattle

sheep

goats

horses

alpacas.

Unit sector

Livestock

This unit contains employability skills.