Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to mate and monitor the reproduction of alpacas.
All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, work health and safety, animal welfare and biosecurity legislation and codes of practice and sustainability practices.
This unit applies to individuals who work under broad direction and take responsibility for their own work. They complete routine activities and work in a range of known contexts.
In addition to legal responsibilities, all units of competency dealing with animals in the AHC Training Package have the requirements for animals to be handled humanely to minimise stress and discomfort.
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. Prepare animals for mating | 1.1 Select male and female animals to be mated from the stud's mating plan 1.2 Determine condition of animals selected for mating and record body scores are recorded to comply with recognised industry practices 1.3 Adjust nutritional program where required and monitor to produce optimum condition for mating 1.4 Make preparations where females are over-fleeced to ensure that tail and vulva area are clean and free of fleece 1.5 Check animals for signs of infection or other reason not to proceed with the planned mating and take remedial action as appropriate |
2. Facilitate mating | 2.1 Identify receptive females 2.2 Ensure paddock or pen mating areas are secure and provide access for handlers during joining 2.3 Use mating procedures and handling techniques that minimise stress and discomfort to animals and meet work health and safety and animal welfare requirements 2.4 Supervise pen mating and intervene when required to maximise conception rates |
3. Complete mating procedures | 3.1 Undertake or commission pregnancy at earliest opportunity to identify pregnancy status of animals and take suitable action as required 3.2 Record of mating details |
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:
identify hazards and implementing safe operating procedures
accurately score alpaca condition
assist with ultrasonography and blood collection if requested by professional service providers
clean up work site and safely dispose of waste
monitor the condition of female and male alpacas
recognise ovulation and detect oestrus in females
supervise alpaca mating and assisting as appropriate
conduct a spit off
conduct and commission pregnancy tests
identify and implement action required as a result of pregnancy tests
communicate effectively with other team members and veterinarians
apply relevant work health and safety requirements
apply relevant biosecurity policies requirements
apply relevant animal welfare practices
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
alpaca handling and assisted joining techniques
alpaca health and abnormalities
alpaca movement and behavioural characteristics
enterprise and industry identification system for alpaca
enterprise and industry policies regarding recording and reporting routines for matings
management of female and male body conditions core through nutrition programs
Johne's disease status mating procedures
mobile mating procedures
relevant Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and when and how it should be used
pregnancy testing techniques, including detection of ovulation
state and territory animal welfare legislation and codes of practice
relevant state and territory legislation, regulations and codes of practice with regard to work health and safety and biosecurity
Assessment Conditions
Competency is to be assessed in the work place or workplace and simulated environments that accurately reflect 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
Livestock (LSK)