Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range of Variables explains the range of contexts within which the performance and knowledge requirements of this standard may be assessed. The scope of variables chosen in training and assessment may depend on the work situations available.

What animals are covered by this unit?
This unit covers beef and dairy cattle, sheep and goats, horses and pigs.

How might animals condition be accurately determined?
Physical observation, condition scoring, weighing, age, pregnancy status, and conditions of coat.

What nutritional requirements might be relevant to this standard?
Those that relate to dry females and may be identified from authoritative and reliable sources such as vets, books, supervisors, other farmers, government departments, feed suppliers and breed societies.

How might oestrus detection occur?
Observation of clinical signs, backpressure test, or other recognised tests.

What OHS requirements are relevant to this standard?
Safe livestock handling systems and procedures including zoonoses control (Q Fever), identify hazards, assess and report risks, and safe manual handling systems and procedures. Safe systems and procedures for the application and storage of hazardous substances (drenches, vaccines), the handling of veterinary equipment (syringes, needles, vaccines), and the appropriate use of personal protective equipment.

What intervention might occur?
Use of harnesses and assistance in the joining process.

What artificial insemination techniques might be employed?
Collection of semen on farm, or use of commercial semen. Semen needs to be stored at the correct temperature prior to use, and in a safe and secure environment. Straws need to be checked for correct sire identification and semen, if frozen, is thawed in readiness for insemination.

What suitable action may need to be taken as a result of the pregnancy test?
Re-joining where female is not pregnant and provision of extra nutrition where appropriate if pregnant.

What hygiene procedures need to be considered?
Sterile equipment and clean work sites are essential to the insemination process. Cleaning of pen as required.

What animals are covered by this unit?
This unit covers beef and dairy cattle, sheep and goats, horses and pigs.

How might animals condition be accurately determined?
Physical observation, condition scoring, weighing, age, pregnancy status, and conditions of coat.

What nutritional requirements might be relevant to this standard?
Those that relate to dry females and may be identified from authoritative and reliable sources such as vets, books, supervisors, other farmers, government departments, feed suppliers and breed societies.

How might oestrus detection occur?
Observation of clinical signs, backpressure test, or other recognised tests.

What OHS requirements are relevant to this standard?
Safe livestock handling systems and procedures including zoonoses control (Q Fever), identify hazards, assess and report risks, and safe manual handling systems and procedures. Safe systems and procedures for the application and storage of hazardous substances (drenches, vaccines), the handling of veterinary equipment (syringes, needles, vaccines), and the appropriate use of personal protective equipment.

What intervention might occur?
Use of harnesses and assistance in the joining process.

What artificial insemination techniques might be employed?
Collection of semen on farm, or use of commercial semen. Semen needs to be stored at the correct temperature prior to use, and in a safe and secure environment. Straws need to be checked for correct sire identification and semen, if frozen, is thawed in readiness for insemination.

What suitable action may need to be taken as a result of the pregnancy test?
Re-joining where female is not pregnant and provision of extra nutrition where appropriate if pregnant.

What hygiene procedures need to be considered?
Sterile equipment and clean work sites are essential to the insemination process. Cleaning of pen as required.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in monitoring and mating animals requires evidence of the ability to monitor female's condition, revise feeding strategies, detect oestrus cycles, implement breeding plans using farm collected or imported semen, supervise mating, and pregnancy test, identify and implement action as a result of pregnancy test as required, and record data.
The skills and knowledge required to monitor and mate animals must be transferable to another workplace. For example this may include different animal breeds and different breeding programs.
What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below:

female conditioning
oestrus cycles
anatomy and physiology of male and female reproductive systems in animals
factors affecting semen viability
pregnancy testing
animal health and abnormalities
semen thawing techniques
preparation requirements for artificial insemination of animals
livestock movement and behavioural characteristics
handling and assisted joining techniques, restraint methods and when to use them
enterprise and industry identification system for livestock
personal protective equipment and when and how it should be used
relevant State/Territory legislation, regulations and codes of practice with regard to workplace OHS and animal welfare
legislative and regulatory controls with regard to artificial insemination
enterprise and industry policies with regard to artificial insemination, and recording and reporting routines.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

accurately condition score dry females
supervise animal mating and assist as appropriate
sterilise equipment and prepare hygienic worksite prior to insemination procedures
collect semen
artificially inseminate animals
store and use commercial semen
conduct pregnancy tests
employ safe work practices
clean up work site and safely dispose of waste
communicate effectively with other teams members, veterinarians and/or licensed inseminators.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below:

female conditioning
oestrus cycles
anatomy and physiology of male and female reproductive systems in animals
factors affecting semen viability
pregnancy testing
animal health and abnormalities
semen thawing techniques
preparation requirements for artificial insemination of animals
livestock movement and behavioural characteristics
handling and assisted joining techniques, restraint methods and when to use them
enterprise and industry identification system for livestock
personal protective equipment and when and how it should be used
relevant State/Territory legislation, regulations and codes of practice with regard to workplace OHS and animal welfare
legislative and regulatory controls with regard to artificial insemination
enterprise and industry policies with regard to artificial insemination, and recording and reporting routines.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

accurately condition score dry females
supervise animal mating and assist as appropriate
sterilise equipment and prepare hygienic worksite prior to insemination procedures
collect semen
artificially inseminate animals
store and use commercial semen
conduct pregnancy tests
employ safe work practices
clean up work site and safely dispose of waste
communicate effectively with other teams members, veterinarians and/or licensed inseminators.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life, which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this competency standard. Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 0 = not required, 1 = perform the process, 2 = perform and administer the process and 3 = perform, administer and design the process.
Communicating ideas and information
Discuss insemination procedures and requirements with other staff, supervisors and semen suppliers. (2)

Communicating ideas and information
Discuss insemination procedures and requirements with other staff, supervisors and semen suppliers. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Mating records, sire use, pregnancy test results and targets may be observed and monitored for analysis, and organised by records and reports. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Mating records, sire use, pregnancy test results and targets may be observed and monitored for analysis, and organised by records and reports. (2)

Planning and organising activities
May be planned to ensure that semen arrives on time, and that sufficient number of females are available to meet mating targets. (2)

Planning and organising activities
May be planned to ensure that semen arrives on time, and that sufficient number of females are available to meet mating targets. (2)

Working with others and in teams
Team work may be applied to ensure mating targets are met consistently. (2)

Working with others and in teams
Team work may be applied to ensure mating targets are met consistently. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematics may be applied to calculate oestrus cycles, sire use, and semen dilution. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematics may be applied to calculate oestrus cycles, sire use, and semen dilution. (2)

Solving problems
Insemination procedures may require remedial action to ensure correct semen is identified, and to avoid any complications at the time of insemination. Mating may require re-joining and infertility cause may need to be determined. (2)

Solving problems
Insemination procedures may require remedial action to ensure correct semen is identified, and to avoid any complications at the time of insemination. Mating may require re-joining and infertility cause may need to be determined. (2)

Using technology
To record data and to test for pregnancy. (2)

Using technology
To record data and to test for pregnancy. (2)