This unit applies to farmers who manage according to the principles of biodynamic agriculture. Work is likely to be done independently and according to the requirements of the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Manage animal health and welfare

1.1. All work is undertaken in an environmentally appropriate manner and according to the principles of organic agriculture, occupational health and safety requirements and enterprise guidelines.

1.2. Natural behaviours of animals and requirements of animal welfare codes of practice are considered in planning for organic livestock production.

1.3. Genetic resistance to parasites is incorporated into breeding strategy.

1.4. Livestock is monitored constantly for health and welfare and records are kept according to enterprise requirements.

1.5. Animal health preventative strategies are developed, communicated to others working on farm and implemented.

1.6. Use of prohibited/restricted substances for organic livestock is documented and treated animals are identified and quarantined.

1.7. Animal transport is conducted humanely and in compliance with organic certification requirements.

1.8. Livestock records required for organic certification are maintained.

2. Develop and implement feed production and storage requirements

2.1. Planning for winter feed and drought preparedness is undertaken.

2.2. Haymaking and/or cropping are incorporated into annual program for animal feed and on-farm sustainability.

2.3. Long term storage for hay and feed is implemented and quality and quantity are monitored.

3. Develop and implement grazing strategies to achieve biodiversity, recycling and sustainability

3.1. Soil and plant health are optimised to provide a nutrient-dense and balanced diet for livestock.

3.2. Pastures are assessed for diversity, health, vigour and ground cover.

3.3. Infrastructure required for implementing rotational grazing strategies is identified and incorporated into property improvement program.

3.4. Rotational grazing strategies are developed and implemented.

3.5. Impact of grazing strategies on nutrient recycling and pasture diversity, persistence and vigour is evaluated.

3.6. Strategies for controlling weeds in pastures are implemented.

4. Research and source allowable inputs for organic livestock production

4.1. Level of nutrients exported from farm is estimated.

4.2. Soil-testing program, including observation of pasture species present, is implemented in order to monitor and maintain optimal pasture species and soil health.

4.3. Soil nutrient levels are replenished through recycling, optimising nutrient availability in soil, and sourcing allowable inputs where necessary.

4.4. Organic fertilisers and soil conditioners are applied to ensure a mineral-balanced and healthy soil.

4.5. Certification protocols for sourcing essential fodder off-farm are followed.

4.6. Fodder is sourced and fed to stock, minimising risk of weed spread and maintaining adequate records.

Required skills

animal handling and husbandry techniques

assessing pastures

monitoring feed intake

feed budgeting

parasite and disease monitoring

developing grazing strategies

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

certification requirements

animal parasites and diseases

animal welfare code of practice

grazing management, including pasture identification and assessment, feed budgeting and grazing strategies

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

principles of organic agriculture

relationship between soil, plant and animal health

Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and animal welfare legislation and codes of practice.

record keeping

principles, practices and inputs allowable under the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce.

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 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

integrate animals into an organic production system

manage grazing of animals and allowable inputs to enhance soil health and fertility.

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.

Organic may include:

the application of practices that emphasise the use of renewable resources

conservation of energy, soil and water

recognition of livestock welfare needs

environmental maintenance and enhancement, while producing optimum quantities of produce without the use of artificial fertiliser or synthetic chemicals.

Livestock may include:

domestic or domesticated aquatic and terrestrial animals including insects.

Production may include:

any primary production involved in producing an agricultural or aquaculture product.

Unit sector

Organic production

This unit contains employability skills.