1. Prepare for harvesting

1.1 Crop maturity and quality is assessed in readiness for harvesting.

1.2 Pre-harvest treatments for the control and eradication of pests are determined and carried out according to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements.

1.3 Requirements for licences or permits for transporting or moving machinery are identified and complied with.

1.4 Insurance requirements are assessed and risk management strategies planned and implemented as required.

2. Determine harvest strategy

2.1 Optimum timing to carry out harvest is estimated and calculated according to crop maturity assessment.

2.2 Resource requirements are assessed giving consideration to the size of the crop and estimated timing of harvest.

2.3 Labour and equipment required to carry out harvesting operations is confirmed and arranged within budgetary constraint.

2.4 Requirements for fire prevention and control are identified and arranged according to OHS requirements.

3. Coordinate the harvest strategy

3.1 Effective communication strategies are implemented to ensure smooth workflow operations and personnel safety.

3.2 Harvesting operations are implemented and adjusted as required according to weather, equipment and staff requirements.

3.3 Equipment operation is coordinated for maximum efficiency and monitored for performance effectiveness.

3.4 Existing and potential hazards are identified and controlled according to OHS and enterprise requirements.

4. Complete harvest operation

4.1 Storage resources are located for efficient operations and strategies for drying grain are identified, if necessary, according to marketing initiatives.

4.2 Quality of grain is monitored for moisture content according to classification standards.

4.3 Harvesting operations and outcomes are evaluated against harvest strategy.

4.4 Relevant information is documented for continual analysis and effective planning management.

Required skills include:

Ability to:

organise and schedule the maintenance of plant and equipment

establish strategies, procedures and controls for crop harvesting

negotiate and arrange contracts and agreements

implement safe workplace and positive environmental practices

deal with weather and other contingencies

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 includes:

Knowledge of:

crop maturity and yield potential

grain or seed quality

functions and limitations of harvesting equipment

crop measurement techniques and parameters

market information and sources

location and relative skills and abilities of available contractors

weather conditions which may affect the harvest

relevant legislation, codes of practice and enterprise requirements for OHS, contractor engagement, environment and pesticides

environmental controls and codes of practice applicable to harvesting operations

supervisor responsibilities in managing the safety of a workplace

hygiene requirements for certified seed.

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:

establish strategies, procedures and controls for crop harvesting, including fire prevention and control plans

negotiate and arrange contracts and agreements

estimate crop yields

maintain budgetary controls

assess crop maturity and quality in readiness for harvesting

arrange storage and delivery requirements

segregate grain for quality and monitor for moisture content.

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.

Method of assessment

This Unit should be assessed together with core Units and other Units of Competency relevant to the function or work role.

Guidance information for assessment

To ensure consistency of performance, competency should be demonstrated on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, cases and responsibilities, and where possible, over a number of assessment activities.

The range statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Crops may include:

wheat and coarse grains

cotton

grain legumes

oilseeds

temperate pastures

tropical pastures

vegetables and other horticultural seed crops.