Application
This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to treat, store and despatch seed.
The unit applies to processing seed in a variety of work settings, including forest environments, farms, agriculture, nurseries and local councils.
No licensing, legislative, regulatory, or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions. |
1. Prepare to process seed | 1.1 Interpret and check work order, with appropriate personnel, if required 1.2 Identify and adhere to site environmental protection measures in line with relevant regulations and workplace requirements for processing seed 1.3 Select and check equipment appropriate to work requirements for operational effectiveness in line with manufacturer recommendations 1.4 Check seed processing operations for safe working conditions and plans in line with site procedures and environmental requirements |
2. Treat and store seed | 2.1 Separate seeds from other materials, weigh and store in line with species and site procedures 2.2 Treat seeds to prevent deterioration in line with seed species and site procedures 2.3 Record seed information accurately in line with site procedures 2.4 Package seed for storage in line with industry and workplace requirements. |
3. Prepare seed sample for viability testing | 3.1 Identify and check seed sample for testing in line with work order 3.2 Remove seed sample from lot and prepare for testing in line with site procedures, and industry, organisational and environmental requirements 3.3 Clearly label and package representative seed sample for despatch to testing body in line with site procedures 3.4 Record seed sample information accurately in line with site procedures. |
4. Despatch seed | 4.1 Interpret and check seed request specifications, with appropriate personnel 4.2 Retrieve seed from storage, and calculate quantities and species of seed to meet request specifications 4.3 Weigh, document and place each seed species in an appropriate container in line with request requirements and site procedures 4.4 Mix multiple seed lots thoroughly, as required in line with request specifications 4.5 Accurately and clearly label seed and seed mixtures in line with industry requirements and site procedures 4.6 Organise and undertake despatch of seed in line with request specifications and site procedures 4.7 Record and report seed processing results in line with industry requirements, site procedures and environmental requirements. |
Evidence of Performance
A person demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy all of the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit.
apply effective methods to treat seed, including fungicides and cleaning
test, package and store seed species using:
vacuum sealing
use of inert atmospheres, including nitrogen and carbon dioxide
control of packing environment, including temperature, light and moisture
operate and maintain seed processing equipment including electric and manual scales, packaging material, seed cleaning machine, seed lot mixing device, lifting equipment
separate seeds, using one or more of the following methods:
hand selection
wind separation and winnowing
sieving
vibrating
flotation
drying
crumbling of husks
despatch seed in line with seed request specifications, including:
seed species
percentage of seed mix
pure graded seed
rate of sown
dispatch container
method of dispatch
sowing equipment to be used
record seed processing information and results and maintain workplace information
Evidence of Knowledge
A person competent in this unit must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:
using seed material effectively and efficiently
types of seed processing tools and equipment, including electric and manual scales, packaging material, seed cleaning machine, seed lot mixing device, lifting equipment
seed separation methods and their uses including:
hand selection
wind separation and winnowing
sieving
vibrating
flotation
drying
crumbling of husks
impact and application procedures of seed treatments including fungicides and cleaning
hazards associated with the storage, treatment and despatch of seed
seed species and treating, packaging and storage processes
seed treatments and storage requirements for different seed species
types of diseases and pests likely to infect the species
problem identification and resolution strategies, and common fault finding techniques when processing seed
appropriate mathematical procedures for estimating and measuring, including calculating time to complete tasks when processing seed
workplace procedures for recording and reporting workplace records and seed information including:
species
time and date of harvest
time and date of receipt into the store
place or origin of seed
container identifier
packaging including:
vacuum sealing
use of inert atmospheres, including nitrogen and carbon dioxide
control of packing environment, including temperature, light and moisture
request specifications including:
seed species
percentage of seed mix
pure graded seed
rate of sown
dispatch container
method of dispatch
sowing equipment to be used
appropriate container criteria:
length of time seed will be stored
method to be used to transport seed
equipment to be used for sowing seed
quantity of seed
size of individual seeds
Assessment Conditions
The following resources must be made available:
workplace location or simulated workplace, required to treat, store and despatch seed.
materials and equipment relevant to undertaking seed processing work applicable to this unit equipment, including electric and manual scales, packaging material, seed cleaning machine, seed lot mixing device, lifting equipment
specifications and work instructions
personal protective equipment suitable to process seed
safety equipment
relevant personnel for the purposes of communicating information
Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.
Assessor requirements
Assessors must:
hold the appropriate assessor competency standards as outlined in regulations; and
be able to demonstrate vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed; and
be able to demonstrate how they are continuing to develop their VET knowledge and skills as well as maintaining their industry currency and assessor competence
Foundation Skills
This section describes those core and employment skills that are essential to performance and are not explicit in the performance criteria. | |
Numeracy skills to: | calculate seed weight and quantity using scales identify and calculate percentages in specifications for seed mix estimate impact of time on storage of seed estimate time to complete work tasks when processing seed undertake numerical calculations on seed processing equipment |
Oral communication skills to: | ask questions to clarify instructions explain routine procedures to others |
Reading skills to: | read and follow information on equipment and in workplace procedure manuals on safety and environmental requirements when processing seed interpret instructions combining of written and pictorial information on equipment or in operational manuals |
Writing skills to: | complete seed records and labels accurately and legibly using correct technical and enterprise specific vocabulary |
Problem solving skills to: | use and maintain equipment and tools for processing seed identify and apply different workplace requirements to plant species in seed processing and storage. |
Range Statement
Not Applicable
Sectors
Forest Growing and Management