Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to test pigs for pregnancy.
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 individuals who work under broad direction and use discretion and judgement in the selection 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. Prepare for pregnancy testing | 1.1 Prepare pregnancy testing work site and relevant documentation 1.2 Select, use and maintain personal protective equipment 1.3 Identify pigs to be tested according to the breeding program 1.4 Assemble required resources and manpower 1.5 Isolate individual pigs for testing or marking as required |
2. Carry out pregnancy testing procedures | 2.1 Handle individual pigs safely and humanely while testing and check breeding records 2.2 Use ultra sound equipment for pregnancy diagnosis 2.3 Apply knowledge of relevant anatomy and physiology 2.4 Use strict hygiene procedures between individual pigs in line with enterprise biosecurity policies 2.5 Complete records and report outcomes 2.6 Assess and record individual pig health and condition for input to herd health management |
3. Carry out post pregnancy testing procedures | 3.1 Identify pigs as pregnant or not pregnant 3.2 Return pigs to their appropriate destination 3.3 Clean work site, remove and dispose of waste and debris appropriately in line with enterprise environmental policies 3.4 Check pigs post testing regularly for health and condition |
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:
prepare for pregnancy testing
carry out pregnancy testing procedures
carry out post pregnancy testing procedures
follow work health and safety policies
follow biosecurity policies
follow animal welfare policies
follow environmental policies
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
techniques and methods for humane handling and restraint of pigs
requirements, methods and procedures for pregnancy testing of pigs
requirements and types of relevant documentation and records
information required from breeding records for pregnancy testing
reproductive anatomy, reproductive physiology, pregnancy development and embryological/foetal development in pigs
types, methods and procedures for pregnancy diagnosis of pigs
types, handling, use and disposal of cleaning agents and disinfectants , work health and safety and environmental practices for these chemicals
methods and procedures for hygiene practices during pregnancy diagnosis
signs of health, signs of ill health, and methods for assessing pig health, welfare and behaviour
effects and impacts of individual pig health and welfare on herd health status and vice versa
types and methods of identifying pigs
requirements, methods and procedures for cleaning work sites
relevant work health and safety and biosecurity requirements and environmental practices
Assessment Conditions
Competency is to be assessed in the workplace OR workplace and 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
Pork (PRK)