This unit applies to workers in feedlots who operate under routine supervision within enterprise guidelines.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Monitor animal health status

1.1. Information on animal health programs are sourced from the livestock production plans.

1.2. Animal health status is assessed by routinely inspecting each animal from induction to despatch to ensure unimpeded access and opportunity to observe behavioural characteristics, signs of ill-health and freedom of movement.

1.3. Information on past treatment is sourced from the individual animal's health tag/s and enterprise records to assist with decision making.

1.4. Prevention and treatment strategies are identified to resolve health issues such as; recording for follow-up observation, removal/pulling for exclusion from other livestock and or treatment.

2. Identify and diagnose animals requiring treatment

2.1. Potential health issues are identified for individual animals in different pens and classes of livestock.

2.2. The type and severity of infection or injury is determined and animals requiring treatment under the animal health plan are identified and removed/pulled.

3. Determine the type and scope of treatment

3.1. The need for treatment and the type and scope of treatment is determined and prepared according to manufacturer's specifications or veterinary advice.

3.2. Equipment, materials and treatment site are prepared to industry standards and according to enterprise requirements.

3.3. Hazards in the workplace are identified; risk assessed and controlled according to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements and enterprise guidelines.

3.4. Withholding periods and other details of treatment are recorded according to enterprise guidelines and product specifications.

4. Administer treatment

4.1. Suitable personal protective equipment is selected according to OHS requirements and enterprise guidelines.

4.2. Animals are safely handled and restrained without causing harm or injury to animal or handler.

4.3. Treatment is administered hygienically and consistently according to manufacturer's specifications or veterinary advice.

4.4. Treated animals are identified from non-treated animals to ensure compliance against the required Withholding Period (WHP).

4.5. Treated animals are counted out, prepared and moved along a planned route without damage to animal, person, property or environment.

5. Implement follow-up procedures

5.1. Animal health and condition is monitored post-treatment and abnormalities reported according to enterprise guidelines.

5.2. Environmental implications associated with the treatment of animals are identified, assessed and controlled according to enterprise requirements.

5.3. Equipment and worksite are cleaned and waste, including animal residues, is disposed of according to OHS and enterprise guidelines.

5.4. Health treatments are stored to manufacturers recommendations, industry and enterprise requirements.

5.5. Relevant information is documented according to industry and enterprise requirements.

Required skills

identify hazards and implement safe work practices for animal health treatment

collect faecal, tissue or blood samples for laboratory analysis samples

identify the symptoms of infectious and other diseases and injuries

select livestock prone to infection and behavioural problems for culling

arrange and co-ordinate equipment and resources

drench and vaccinate livestock

select and apply appropriate chemicals to treat infections and infestations

assemble, check and calibrate drenching and vaccinating equipment

calculate animal numbers and measure treatment dosage and rates, demonstrating safe and environmentally responsible workplace practices

provide due care and humanely handle animals to minimise stress

return animals to prepared and clean environments

read and interpret chemical and veterinary health labels, manufacturers specifications and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs)

recognise, monitor and report the signs of heat load to work team and management

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

the relationship between livestock health and nutrition

types of feedlot diseases and their symptoms

application procedures and effects of veterinary chemicals

types of health preparation treatments

enterprise vaccination programs and procedures

identification of and prescribed treatments for infections and infestations

livestock health and nutritional requirements

requirements for the preparation and transportation of samples for laboratory testing

drenching equipment, drenches and their efficiency

relevant codes of practice with regard to the safe use and handling of hazardous substances

WHP for treated animals

principles of animal behaviour, handling and restraint techniques

OHS and animal welfare legislative and enterprise requirements

relevant codes of practice with regard to environmental protection

understanding of the enterprise heat load management plan

understanding of Livestock Arrivals Bio-security Risk Assessment.

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:

monitor animal health status and refer to the production plan for intervention strategies

accurately diagnose the type and severity of infection or injury

determine the type and scope of treatment

administer treatments and observe withholding periods

monitor animals for treatment effectiveness

document and record procedures for animal treatment.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency requires the application of safe work practices under enterprise conditions. Selection and use of resources for worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

Method of assessment

This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units. The assessment strategy for this unit must verify required knowledge, skill and application using more than one of the following assessment methods: demonstration, practical skills assessment, oral/written questions, professional conversations, direct observation, third-party evidence, case study analysis, role play, simulations, presentations, performance audit, written assignment, portfolio, and examinations.

Guidance information for assessment

Evidence should be gathered over a period of time in a range of actual or simulated environments.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Animals may include:

beef cattle

dairy cattle

sheep

goats

Feedlots may include:

sheds

pens etc

Enterprises may include:

large scale

fully automated

small scale

manually operated

Livestock health issues may include:

monitoring the heat load and heat stress of animals

bovine respiratory disease (BDR)

acidosis

feet problems

digestive disorders

Treatments may include:

acclimation

ration variations

animal health treatments

medication

Unit sector

Livestock

This unit contains employability skills.