Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to develop and implement a livestock breeding program.
This unit applies to managers of livestock enterprises responsible for selection and breeding programs and the use of resources appropriate to meet the breeding aims of the enterprise.
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 take personal responsibility and exercise autonomy in undertaking complex work. They analyse design and communicate solutions to sometimes complex problems.
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. Assess breeding requirements | 1.1 Assess and clarify breeding requirements 1.2 Identify and arrange resources to support breeding requirements 1.3 Select breeding options to optimise results and consistency 1.4 Undertake economic assessments to establish the feasibility of the breeding objectives 1.5 Formulate breeding program to meet enterprise objectives, and ensure sufficient flexibility to accommodate contingencies |
2. Select livestock for breeding | 2.1 Determine selection criteria for the visual and objective methods of selecting livestock based on heritability and economic returns for the enterprise 2.2 Establish culling and replacement practices to maintain or improve appropriate herd size, animal ratios and grade of livestock 2.3 Assess genetic gain potential to determine and justify herd or flock structure 2.4 Source genetic material to optimise genetic gain within the herd or flock from suitable sources 2.5 Check and monitor selected livestock to ensure condition and welfare status meets breeding program requirements 2.6 Carry out measurements of production and genetic characteristics and evaluate results within appropriate breeding program requirements |
3. Monitor breeding program | 3.1 Monitor implementation of the breeding program for efficiency and effectiveness 3.2 Prioritise and implement changes necessary to achieve breeding aims according to breeding program requirements 3.3 Monitor and control allocated resources within enterprise budgetary constraints 3.4 Maintain safe workplace and environmentally responsible practices in line with industry and enterprise work health and safety and environment sustainability requirements 3.5 Observe and comply with relevant legislative requirements associated with livestock production such as animal welfare and biosecurity requirements |
4. Evaluate breeding program | 4.1 Review and evaluate breeding program processes and outcomes against enterprise objectives 4.2 Evaluate performance of facilities, resources and equipment for effectiveness and efficiency 4.3 Evaluate effectiveness of selection criteria for contribution to achievement of breeding aims and enterprise profitability 4.4 Document relevant information for continual assessment to inform future practice |
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:
identify genetic information for existing and potential livestock through breed data
use industry programs to benchmark and identify sources of genetic material
develop a breeding objective
implement selection strategies for livestock
implement animal welfare strategies to handle livestock safely and humanely
monitor progress in a breeding program and review where necessary
evaluate breeding program
document and review data derived from the breeding strategy
maintain a safe and hazard-free workplace environment
monitor and minimise impacts to the environment
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
difference between genotype and phenotype, the heritability of genetic traits and the basic genetic theory related to genetic correlation of traits
relevance of generation interval in relation to commercial improvement
relevance of estimated breeding values in the development of a multi trait selection strategy
economic impact of production characteristics
features of and measurement of production and genetic t characteristics used in breeding programs
relevant work health and safety and biosecurity requirements, and animal welfare and environment sustainability practices
Assessment Conditions
Competency is to be assessed in the work place or simulated environments that accurately reflect performance in a real workplace setting.
Assessors must satisfy current conditions 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)