Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to coordinate artificial insemination and fertility management of livestock.
This unit can be delivered in the context of the following industries: beef cattle, dairy cattle, alpacas, sheep and goats.
All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, work health and safety, animal welfare and biosecurity requirements, and sustainability practices.
This unit applies to individuals who work under broad direction and take responsibility for their own work. They complete routine activities, work in a range of known contexts and use discretion and judgement in the selection and use of available resources.
Operators performing artificial insemination may require accreditation and certification, such as. National Herd Improvement Association of Australia Inc. accreditation for cattle AI technicians.
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 artificial insemination (AI) | 1.1 Determine body condition of individual female livestock and record body condition scores 1.2 Rank female livestock according to body condition scores and adjust nutritional requirements to facilitate optimum condition at the time of artificial insemination 1.3 Ensure that feeding strategies and supplementation are appropriate to animals' environment and seasonal conditions 1.4 Confirm females are not pregnant before commencing the AI program |
2. Facilitate artificial insemination | 2.1 Carry out oestrus inducement and detection procedures appropriately in compliance with animal welfare requirements and industry standards 2.2 Prepare artificial insemination equipment and facilities and obtain semen 2.3 Use handling techniques that minimise stress and discomfort to livestock in compliance with work health and safety and animal welfare requirements 2.4 Apply hygiene procedures to minimise risk of infection |
3. Carry out post AI procedures | 3.1 Maintain female livestock on appropriate nutrition and husbandry management 3.2 Monitor female livestock for signs of early abortion or return to oestrus 3.3 Apply pregnancy detection techniques at earliest opportunity. 3.4 Complete and maintain records of artificial insemination and pregnancy status |
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 females for insemination
detect females in oestrus
sterilise equipment and prepare hygienic worksite prior to insemination procedures
coordinate the artificial insemination of animals
monitor livestock post insemination
coordinate and record the results of pregnancy testing
follow relevant work health and safety, animal welfare and biosecurity requirements and practices relevant to work
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
body condition scoring
relevant husbandry and management practices for pregnant and non-pregnant female livestock
relevant anatomy and physiology of female livestock
reproductive physiology and pregnancy development of female livestock
requirements and procedures of artificial insemination
reproductive diseases and complications in female livestock
pregnancy testing methods
relevant work health and safety, animal welfare and biosecurity requirements, and sustainability practices
Assessment Conditions
Competency is to be assessed in the workplace and/or a simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.
Assessments for the following performance evidence must be conducted on live animals:
facilitate artificial insemination
Competency in this unit can be determined in a single species.
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)