This unit applies to supervisors and managers on livestock farms.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Identify breeding selection criteria

1.1. Enterprise production records are referenced and enterprise production goals are reaffirmed in the breeding program.

1.2. The heritabilities of the desired performance characteristics are sourced and the potential for genetic improvement is identified.

1.3. Criteria for selection are determined and recorded in the production plan.

2. Select animals for breeding

2.1. Animals are accurately assessed against selection criteria.

2.2. Culling and replacement practices are determined and organised to improve the performance of the enterprise breeding program.

2.3. Selected livestock are checked and monitored to ensure condition and welfare status is maintained according to breeding program requirements.

2.4. Tests are conducted using recognised industry methods and evaluated within appropriate breeding program parameters.

Required skills

develop selection criteria for a breeding program

select animals that have defects in conformation

select animals that display characteristics associated with desirable genetic traits

select animals according to a breeding program's selection criteria

record performance information

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

use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification, negotiating solutions and responding to a range of views

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

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

Required knowledge

principles of genetic selection for multi traits

structural abnormalities and their potential impact on production

correlated traits

market requirements and related physical traits

selection criteria to be applied

strategies for animal selection - individual traits, measured performance, Estimated Breeding Value (EBVs), indexes

environmental codes of practice with regard to livestock production.

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:

determine selection criteria according to enterprise goals

implement strategies to cull animals for conformation and/or productivity

apply selection criteria to identify animals to be retained for breeding

select animals that conform to the requirements of a breeding strategy.

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.

Livestock may include:

sheep

goats

beef cattle

alpacas

deer

dairy cattle

pigs.

Unit sector

Livestock

This unit contains employability skills.