Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to identify, select and purchase livestock according to customer requirements and within enterprise livestock budgets. The selection, purchase and transport of livestock has implications for product quality and enterprise profitability.
In a meat industry context, individuals working at this level exercise considerable responsibility and accountability within enterprise structures and are required to make primary contributions to the values, goals and operations of the enterprise.
This unit is of particular interest to livestock buyers but may also have relevance for production and finance personnel.
All work in this area must be conducted in the context of Australian meat industry standards and regulations.
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. Identify livestock markets | 1.1 Identify and select livestock markets and methods to meet enterprise requirements 1.2 Analyse risks associated with purchasing inappropriate livestock and identify risk management strategies 1.3 Identify regulatory requirements relating to selling and purchasing livestock 1.4 Establish networks and alliances, in accordance with legal and enterprise requirements, to ensure access to markets and gain market intelligence |
2. Select livestock | 2.1 Confirm enterprise specifications and requirements for livestock, including Quality Assurance (QA) arrangements for and with producers 2.2 Conduct livestock inspection procedures in accordance with workplace health and safety and animal welfare requirements 2.3 Select livestock according to enterprise and customer specifications |
3. Purchase livestock | 3.1 Analyse market conditions and monitor trends in livestock quality and prices 3.2 Negotiate terms of sale according to enterprise requirements 3.3 Monitor livestock budget and take corrective action to address variations 3.4 Address requirements of the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) 3.5 Complete documentation relating to purchase or sale |
4. Transport livestock | 4.1 Negotiate transport of livestock according to enterprise and animal welfare requirements 4.2 Negotiate transport of livestock according to enterprise production schedules and requirements |
5. Evaluate livestock purchases | 5.1 Monitor quality of livestock against customer specifications and enterprise requirements 5.2 Recommend and implement strategies for improving purchase quality |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence must demonstrate the candidate's consistency of performance over time.
Candidates must:
apply relevant communication and mathematical skills
assess livestock against enterprise specifications and determine fitness for purpose (suitability for customer requirements and ability to meet customer specifications), including the identification of species and breeds in stockyards or paddocks and calculating dressed carcase weight to determine yield and product price
communicate effectively with producers to provide feedback on enterprise requirements including the presentation of livestock
complete purchase documents accurately
develop open and constructive relationships with key livestock sales and transport personnel
estimate expected yield from species and breeds
evaluate industry methods for purchasing livestock and determine methods suitable for the enterprise
gather and interpret processing and sales data, including customer feedback to analyse quality of livestock purchased
identify and apply relevant workplace health and safety, animal welfare, and workplace requirements
identify potential alliances, key stakeholder networks and information sources to facilitate enterprise access to required livestock and livestock markets
interpret the implications of enterprise ordering and sales forecasts for the purchase of livestock
manage livestock budget including analysis of livestock market trends and enterprise purchase history to determine quality and price parameters, calculating average purchase price per kilo and balancing purchase prices to achieve livestock budget targets
negotiate enterprise requirements for transport of livestock with carrier including animal welfare requirements, enterprise production schedules and enterprise budget requirements
obtain and secure documentation relating to livestock status, purchase and transport
prepare livestock purchasing plans to meet enterprise forecasts of orders and sales including liaison with enterprise personnel to identify production livestock schedules and requirements, analysing enterprise orders and sales, and confirming livestock specifications
present reports according to legal and enterprise requirements
use available communication and information technology to record, monitor and analyse livestock purchase data, including fat scores, prices and pricing structures
address NLIS requirements
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate an in depth technical and theoretical knowledge of:
characteristics of different species and breeds and their suitability for the enterprise's product
identification of animals using brands, tags and tattoos
the requirements of the NLIS system
international, national and local factors affecting the livestock market and describe the implications for the enterprise's operations
livestock classification and conformation or scoring system
customer specifications and their implications for selecting and purchasing stock, including required product or cuts, European Union (EU) closed system, Japanese ox
enterprise ethical standards and the implications for operations in the livestock market
producer QA programs, including 'Cattle Care' and 'Flock Care'
regulatory requirements affecting the purchase and transportation of livestock
effects of transportation on livestock and product quality
symptoms of infectious and non-infectious diseases to be identified or eliminated when assessing livestock
Assessment Conditions
Competency must be demonstrated through sustained performance over time, at an appropriate level of responsibility and authority under typical operating and production conditions for the enterprise.
Methods of assessment must include:
a third-party referee report of sustained performance at an appropriate level of authority and responsibility
assignment focusing on the understanding and application of principles and theory to workplace operations
simulation or workplace projects with focus on enterprise environment and conditions
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.