Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to care for shorn livestock.
All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, work health and safety, animal welfare and biosecurity requirements and sustainability practices.
This unit applies to individuals who work under broad direction and take responsibility for their own work including limited responsibility for the work of others. They 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. Monitor weather conditions | 1.1 Monitor weather during and after shearing operations, and revise work programs in response to changing circumstances 1.2 Identify adverse weather conditions and assess and report the likely impacts on livestock, feed and property 1.3 Determine the appropriate actions required to minimise loss or damage to livestock during adverse weather conditions |
2. Assess and monitor livestock condition | 2.1 Assess and record livestock condition and health status 2.2 Identify and report abnormal behaviour or evidence of sickness 2.3 Determine and provide water and feed requirements for livestock, and arrange supplementary feeding as required 2.4 Apply enterprise animal welfare policies |
3. Maintain livestock environment | 3.1 Maintain livestock yards and facilities so that they are clean, secure and safe 3.2 Maintain suitable shelter for shorn livestock to prevent losses 3.3 Identify existing and potential hazards, assess risks and implement control measures |
4. Complete post-shearing operations | 4.1 Monitor and control environmental implications associated with shearing activities 4.2 Clean shearing facilities and equipment and dispose of waste 4.3 Record relevant information and report to appropriate personnel 4.4 Follow enterprise biosecurity policies where required |
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 be observed caring for shorn livestock.
The candidate must provide evidence that they can:
identify existing and potential hazards implement control measures
relate weather conditions to livestock requirements
prepare contingency plan and anticipate emergency action
handle livestock with due care
weigh livestock and assess condition
observe and monitor livestock behaviour, health and condition
read and interpret weather information
provide feed and water based on livestock numbers
rug animals where required
apply enterprise work health and safety policies in the context of own work
apply enterprise animal welfare and biosecurity policies in the context of own work
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
impacts of adverse weather conditions on shorn livestock
physiological conditions brought on by stress post shearing, and treatment of same
types and constructs of livestock shelter
livestock handling techniques in response to adverse weather
condition scoring
appropriate types of feed for stressed livestock
enterprise biosecurity policies applying to the job role
work health and safety legislation and codes of practice applying to the job role
animal welfare legislation and codes of practice applying to the job role
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
Shearing (SHG)