This unit is likely to be carried out with limited supervision within enterprise guidelines.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Identify animal condition

1.1. Condition of females is accurately determined and scores are recorded according to recognised industry practices.

1.2. Females are ranked according to scores and nutritional requirements adjusted to facilitate optimum condition.

1.3. Feeding strategies and supplementation are appropriate to animals' environment and seasonal conditions.

1.4. Assessment of animal condition is made accurately and consistently.

1.5. Females can be guaranteed not pregnant before commencing the AI program.

2. Facilitate artificial insemination

2.1. Oestrus inducement and detection procedures are carried out according to established industry practice.

2.2. Artificial insemination equipment and facilities are prepared, and semen obtained.

2.3. Handling techniques that minimise stress and discomfort to livestock and meet Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements are used.

2.4. Artificial insemination techniques are carried out, when required, according to recognised industry codes of practice

2.5. Hygiene procedures are applied to minimise risk of infection.

3. Review the process based on pregnancy testing

3.1. Females are monitored for signs of early abortion or return to oestrus.

3.2. Pregnancy detection techniques are applied at earliest opportunities

3.3. Records of mating, insemination and pregnancy status are recorded accurately, legibly and according to enterprise and industry requirements.

Required skills

identify hazards and implement safe work practices

accurately condition score dry females

supervise animal mating and assist as appropriate

sterilise equipment and prepare hygienic worksite prior to insemination procedures

store and thaw commercial semen

arrange and record the results of pregnancy tests

clean up work site and safely dispose of waste

use literacy skills to read, interpret and follow organisational policies and procedures, follow sequenced written instructions, record accurately and legible information collected and select and apply procedures for a range of tasks

use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning techniques, active listening, clarifying information and consulting with supervisors as required

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

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

Required knowledge

female conditioning

oestrus cycles

anatomy and physiology of male and female reproductive systems in animals

factors affecting semen viability

pregnancy testing

animal health and abnormalities

semen thawing techniques

preparation requirements for artificial insemination of animals

livestock movement and behavioural characteristics

handling and assisted joining techniques, restraint methods and when to use them

enterprise and industry identification system for livestock

personal protective equipment and when and how it should be used

relevant State/Territory legislation, regulations, codes of practice and enterprise requirements with regard to workplace OHS and animal welfare

legislative and regulatory controls with regard to artificial insemination

enterprise and industry policies with regard to artificial insemination and recording and reporting routines.

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:

prepare females for insemination

detect females in oestrus

sterilise equipment and prepare hygienic worksite prior to insemination procedures

arrange for the collection or ordering of semen

coordinate the artificial insemination of animals

store and maintain an inventory of commercial semen

coordinate and record the results of pregnancy testing.

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.

Animals may include:

beef cattle

dairy cattle

alpacas

sheep

goats.

Unit sector

Livestock

This unit contains employability skills.