AHCLSK311
Implement feeding plans for livestock


Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to monitor available pasture for grazing and implementing a feeding plan.

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.

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. Determine livestock condition and nutritional requirements

1.1 Monitor and report livestock condition

1.2 Identify livestock production status

1.3 Source livestock nutritional requirements and the nutritional value of feedstuffs from the feeding plan

1.4 Use feeding plans to determine adjustment in response to the monitoring of livestock condition and pasture growth

1.5 Report and separate animals that are in atypical condition, injured or diseased in line with enterprise biosecurity policies

1.6 Apply enterprise animal welfare policies to livestock handling and husbandry activities

2. Assess pasture feed

2.1 Assess quantity and quality of available pasture

2.2 Implement grazing management plans and monitor to ensure the sustainable stocking capacity of pasture

2.3 Monitor grazing behaviour of livestock and identify shy or problem feeders

2.4 Determine livestock feeding methods and level of supplementary feeding if required

3. Manage the feeding of livestock

3.1 Graze livestock on pasture according to the guidelines described in the feeding plan

3.2 Obtain required supplementary feed

3.3 Provide supplementary feed to livestock in the appropriate manner and times

3.4 Identify and assess indications of any negative environmental impacts and make amendments to the feeding method as required

3.5 Monitor and report condition and live weight response to feeding

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:

monitor pasture health and condition

assess herd/flock health and condition and live weight

identify livestock nutritional requirements

order feed if requested in line with feeding plan

identify feeding problems and animals that require individual treatment

handle livestock humanely and monitor animal welfare

respond to or report negative environmental impacts of feeding

apply relevant biosecurity, animal welfare and environmental sustainability policies


Evidence of Knowledge

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

nutrient and feeding requirements of a range of livestock

different types of agricultural feeds

factors that affect feed supply and demand for a grazing operation

grazing practices which maximise pasture growth and quality to best match herd/flock feed requirements

purpose of feed conservation in relation to enterprise feed supply and livestock requirements

different types of pasture grazing systems, including rotation, strip and set stocked grazing

ways of determining a feed surplus

role of spelling subdivision in effective pasture and animal management

different supplementary feeding options for livestock

environmental controls and codes of practice applicable to the enterprise

nutrient values of pasture and supplementary feedstuffs

codes of practice with regard to animal welfare and environmental protection


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)