Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to collect colostrum from lactating animals and processing the colostrum to support newborn animals.
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. Obtain colostrum | 1.1 Obtain, check and sterilise required equipment 1.2 Select suitable donor animals and collect colostrum 1.3 Check frozen colostrum stored and select suitable ones for use 1.4 Select, use and maintain appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) |
2. Administer colostrum to newborn animals | 2.1 Identify newborn animals requiring supplementary colostrum 2.2 Obtain and prepare feeding equipment 2.3 Thaw frozen colostrum at room temperature 2.4 Warm thawed colostrum to body temperature 2.5 Administer warmed colostrum to newborn animals according to individual animal requirements and workplace procedures 2.6 Check newborn animals regularly after administration of colostrum and repeat colostrum feeds as required 2.7 Follow enterprise animal welfare policies |
3. Store colostrum | 3.1 Filter colostrum according to workplace procedures and place in appropriate container 3.2 Freeze surplus colostrum for future use and label container with details of donor animal and date of collection |
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:
obtain colostrum from suitable donor animals and select suitable frozen colostrum
handle and feed new born animals appropriately
handle frozen colostrum according to enterprise and health and safety procedures
store colostrum for future use
follow relevant work health and safety and animal welfare requirements
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
nutritional needs of newborn animals and the need for feeding colostrum to newborn animals
selection of suitable donor animals
methods and equipment used to collect colostrum
care, husbandry and management of newborn animals
handling of frozen colostrum
administration of colostrum to newborn animals and their post-administration care
storage procedures of colostrum
relevant work health and safety and animal welfare requirements
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:
obtain colostrum
administer colostrum to newborn animals
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)