This unit applies to workers in feedlot enterprises who operate under supervision within enterprise guidelines.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Monitor ration and water levels

1.1. Information on ration ingredients and composition is sourced from the livestock production and/or feed plans.

1.2. Ration levels, composition and consistency are assessed and potential production and health issues identified for different pens and classes of livestock.

1.3. Strategies are identified for emptying wet, mouldy and fouled ration from bunks; exclusion of animals from inappropriate rations.

1.4. Water quantity and quality are assessed to meet animal requirements.

2. Inspect pen status and condition

2.1. Information on pen group status is sourced from the livestock production plan.

2.2. Pen infrastructure including feed bunks, feed apron and water troughs are assessed together with animal feeding behaviour and performance and potential issues are identified.

2.3. Strategies are identified to address control of leaking troughs; exclusion of animals from damaged bunk and apron area if necessary.

2.4. Pen surface conditions and animal behaviour are assessed in consideration with prevailing weather conditions.

2.5. Strategies are identified for increasing or decreasing stock density, provision of access to shade, pen drainage or cleaning and ration modification.

3. Assess manure condition

3.1. Manure consistency and colour is assessed and potential production and health issues identified for different pens and classes of livestock.

3.2. Strategies are identified for including increased roughage in ration, courser processing of grain and observation and treatment of sick animals if necessary.

4. Check Pen Hygiene

4.1. Feed bunks, aprons and water troughs are assessed for fouling and unhygienic build up waste.

4.2. Strategies are identified for resolving animal production and health issues and worker Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) concerns, including cleaning of area to prevent odour and insect problems.

5. Report and record incidents as required

5.1. Reporting of incidents and potential problems to supervisor as per feedlot guidelines.

5.2. Recording and monitoring effectiveness of strategy adopted.

Required skills

identify ration ingredients

identify ration composition ranging from starter, grower and finisher

identify grain contaminants

identify, resolve and/or report water supply issues

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

relate livestock performance data to ration consistency

interpret and apply task instructions

communicate with work team, supervisor and management

record and report faults, workplace hazards and accidents

recognise abnormal and normal feeding behaviour

recognise ration related symptoms

arrange and co-ordinate equipment and resources

provide due care and humanely handle animals

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 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

understanding of the enterprise heat load management plan

livestock health and nutritional requirements

enterprise recording and reporting procedures

contaminants of rations that could reduce performance, such as seeds, moulds, nutrition levels and disease factors which can influence product quality

evidence of spoilage and correct handling of spoilt rations

animal behaviour and indicators of stress, and/or ill-health

animal handling and restraint techniques

OHS and animal welfare legislative and enterprise requirements

relevant codes of practice with regard to environmental protection.

documentation and recording procedures.

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:

interpret and apply feeding instructions and consumption requirements

relate livestock performance data to ration consistency

interpret and apply task instructions and communicate with work team and supervisor

implement standard operating procedures

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

determine the type and scope of treatment

monitor animals for treatment effectiveness

document and record procedures for animal feeding.

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.

Unit sector

Livestock

This unit contains employability skills.