Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to integrate livestock production into an organic production system.
All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, work health and safety, animal welfare and biosecurity legislation and codes, and sustainability practices.
This unit applies to farmers who work according to the principles of organic and ecological agriculture.
Work is likely to be done independently and according to the requirements of the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce and agro-ecological principles. This unit applies to individuals who take responsibility for their own work and for the quality of the work of others within know parameters and use discretion and judgment in the selection, allocation and use of available resources.
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. Manage animal health and welfare | 1.1 Consider natural behaviours of animals and requirements of animal welfare codes of practice in planning for organic livestock production 1.2 Select and use varieties/genetics for the enterprise that match environmental conditions and optimise animal health 1.3 Monitor livestock constantly for health and welfare and keep records 1.4 Develop animal health preventative strategies, communicate to others working on farm and implement 1.5 Identify and use animal health inputs suitable for organic systems where required 1.6 Follow restrictions and prohibited/restricted inputs for certified organic systems and quarantine if applicable 1.7 Conduct animal husbandry and transport in compliance with animal welfare principles and organic certification requirements 1.8 Maintain livestock records required for organic certification |
2. Develop and implement supplementary feed requirements | 2.1 Identify feed gaps and requirements for supplementary feed taking into account seasonal conditions and drought 2.2 Incorporate on-farm supplementary feed strategies including fodder crops, agroforestry or standing hay paddocks into the annual program for animal feed and on-farm sustainability 2.3 Implement good storage practises for feed inputs to ensure quality is maintained 2.4 Purchase and use nutritional inputs in the feed program that meet relevant Organic Standards and/or agro-ecological principles where applicable |
3. Develop and implement a sustainable grazing strategy | 3.1 Determine feed requirements, sustainable carrying capacity and a sustainable stocking rate for the enterprise that takes into account seasonal variability and livestock needs 3.2 Determine indicators and benchmarks for sustainable pasture, land and soil use for the property 3.3 Identify grazing infrastructure required for a planned grazing strategy and incorporate into a property improvement program 3.4 Develop and implement a planned grazing system that ensures optimal livestock health and productivity at all times 3.5 Develop and implement a planned grazing system that matches stocking rate to carrying capacity and ensure sustainable pasture, land and soil condition at all times 3.6 Optimise soil and plant health to provide a nutrient-dense and balanced diet for livestock 3.7 Monitor the grazing system to ensure productivity and sustainability on an on-going basis 3.8 Implement strategies for controlling weeds in pastures based on Organic Standards and/or agro-ecological principles where applicable 3.9 Keep grazing and feed records for enterprise management and to ensure compliance to Organic Standards where applicable |
4. Manage farm fertility for the livestock enterprise | 4.1 Estimate level of nutrients exported from farm 4.2 Implement a fertility monitoring program such as soil-testing, plant testing or observation of pasture species to monitor pasture and soil fertility 4.3 Maintain soil nutrient levels and balance through recycling, optimising nutrient availability in soil and/or sourcing fertility inputs that meet Organic Standards and/or agro-ecological principles where applicable 4.4 Eliminate the risk of weed and chemical contamination to the farm by following Organic Standards and/or agro-ecological principles 4.5 Keep fertility input records for enterprise management and to ensure compliance to Organic Standards where applicable |
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:
monitor and maintain animals in an organic production system
provide a suitable diet and living environment for animals based on the National Organic Standards for Organic Livestock Production and/or agro-ecological principles
integrate animals into an organic production system
manage animal health and welfare using Organic Standards and/or agro-ecological principles
manage grazing of animals and allowable inputs to enhance soil health and fertility
apply enterprise work health and safety policies and guidelines
implement enterprise animal welfare policies
implement enterprise environmental sustainability practices
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
relevant organic certification requirements
organic agriculture and agro-ecological principles
animal health, pests, parasites and diseases
relevant animal welfare code of practice
grazing management, including pasture identification and assessment, feed budgeting and planned grazing strategies
carrying capacity and sustainable pasture utilisation
pasture, land and soil condition and indicators
management options for animal health based on an understanding of pest life cycles, genetic selection and acquired immunity
permitted, restricted and prohibited inputs and activities as described in the National Organic Standards for Organic Livestock Production relationship between soil, plant and animal health
work health and safety and animal welfare legislation and codes of practice.
record keeping
principles, practices and inputs allowable under the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce
Assessment Conditions
Competency is to be assessed in the workplace and/or a simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.
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
Organic Production (ORG)