This unit applies to preparing livestock for shearing and requires application of some judgement and discretion, and would be carried out with minimal supervision within enterprise guidelines.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Sort livestock for shearing

1.1. Livestock are located, identified and confirmed according to enterprise shearing plan.

1.2. Livestock are safely mustered and moved to shearing facilities, sorted and yarded according to shearing plan and enterprise requirements.

1.3. Livestock with pigmented fleece are identified and culled for separate shearing operations.

1.4. Potential and existing hazards are identified and controlled according to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and enterprise requirements.

2. Prepare livestock for shearing

2.1. Suitable personal protective equipment is selected, used and maintained according to OHS and enterprise requirements.

2.2. Shearing, cleaning and drenching equipment is checked for correct operation according to manufacturer's specifications.

2.3. Livestock are crutched, as required, according to industry and enterprise requirements.

2.4. Contaminated and crushed wool is removed and disposed of according to enterprise requirements.

2.5. Livestock are taken off feed to allow emptying out before shearing.

3. Monitor livestock

3.1. Feed and water supplies for livestock are provided and maintained according to enterprise requirements.

3.2. Suitable shelter for livestock is provided and maintained according to animal welfare and enterprise requirements.

3.3. Livestock condition and health status is monitored for evidence of sickness, and recorded or reported according to enterprise requirements.

3.4. Environmental implications associated with shearing activities are monitored and controlled.

Required skills

identify hazards and implement safe work procedures

select equipment appropriate to crutching and shearing tasks

organise crutching and shearing operations

detect disease or nutritional disorders and treat appropriately

critically observe and monitor livestock health and condition

organise feed and water supplies

avoid and remove contamination of fleece

handle livestock in compliance with animal welfare requirements

demonstrate safe and environmentally responsible workplace practices

read and interpret MSDS, manufacturers specifications and shearing plan requirements

communicate verbally with work team and manager, comprehend and apply task instructions

calculate livestock numbers, keep mobs separate

use interpersonal skills to work with and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge

types and purposes of shearing boards, yards and catching pens

components and functions of shearing, cleaning and drenching equipment

handling, mustering and movement techniques

livestock breeds, nutritional and hygiene requirements

livestock diseases and treatments

quality management systems for fleece/fibre

fleece contaminants and types of pigmentation faults

environmental codes of practice with regard to livestock production

OHS and animal welfare legislative requirements

National codes of practice for the Shearing Industry (Health, Safety and Welfare standards).

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:

select equipment appropriate to crutching and shearing tasks

organise crutching and shearing operations

muster, move and draft livestock to be crutched or shorn

critically observe and monitor livestock health and condition

organise feed and water supplies allowing for emptying out

avoid and remove contamination carried in fleece or on site.

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.

Livestock may include:

covers sheep, goats and alpacas.

Unit sector

Shearing

This unit contains employability skills.