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 requirements may depend on the work situations available.

From where might information be sourced for input to the planning process?
Information may come from a range of internal and external sources that might include records of resistance patterns of weed species, records of existing herbicide resistance, records of previous outbreaks, industry journals, and industry seminars/workshops.

What data might be included in the analysis?
Data might be from the distant or recent past, and might include the species and types of weeds that have affected the property. Aspects of the weeds may be the density and growth stage in relation to the crop, distribution throughout the paddock, efficacy of herbicide applied prior to monitoring, and herbicide resistance control measures.

What types of weed and pest might be targeted in the long-term control strategy?
Such pests as insects, weeds, pathogens, vertebrates, nematodes and molluscs. Weeds may be those which are annual, perennial, broad leaf, narrow leaf, or grasses.
Invertebrate pests may be thrips, mites, nematodes, locusts or caterpillars, whereas vertebrate pests might include rabbits, rats, mice, macropods and birds.

What are the diseases that may be at issue?
They may be foliar pathogens, e.g. rusts, chocolate spot, ascochyta, mildew, septaria, seferotina, soil borne pathogens, (for example, take-all, cereal cyst nematodes), rhizoctonia, pythium, fusarium, or phytophthora.

Which herbicides might be part of the control plan, and how may they be used?
Herbicides used may be pre- or post-emergence, and may be root/foliar absorbed. They may be used selectively or non-selectively, or combinations of these.

What physical or alternative control measures might be included in the control plan?
Control measures such as rotations (for example, wheat, other grains, lupins, pulses, pasture and fallow), hay making and grazing. They may also include changing the rotations.

What are the impacts that might be considered when determining long-term strategies?
The impacts may be those that cause financial, environmental, labour, OHS and opportunity costs to the organisation.

What are the methods that might be used in controlling weeds and vertebrate and invertebrate pests?
Amongst the invertebrate pest control methods that may be used are insecticides, biological agents, crop rotation and fallowing. Vertebrate pest control methods may include physical barriers, baiting methods, shooting, fumigation of burrows, trapping, netting, and biological control.
In the instance of weed infestations, the selection of herbicides involves the collection of information, evaluation of alternatives, purchasing arrangements, safe storage, and degree of risk to user and environment, proper application and disposal of residues, manufacturers recommendations, and legislative and end user requirements.

What other planning processes are to be considered when planning for weed, pest and/or disease control?
The planning processes that deal with other discrete areas of the organisation's production include those such as production planning, irrigation planning, pasture and crop management planning, property management planning, business planning, marketing planning, and livestock production planning.

What might affect the scheduling of treatments?
Timing of treatments is planned to suit seasonal influences, weather and weather forecasts, as well as the local geography and the organisation's resourcing situation.

How might records be stored in the organisation?
Records may be created and stored either manually or electronically. They may also be in the form of samples of weeds or pests, photographs or sketches.

What are the OHS issues that impact on managing weed, pest and/or disease control?
They include safe systems and procedures for storage, handling and transportation of hazardous substances; chemicals selected taking into account toxicity levels and environmental effects; systems and procedures for the safe operation and maintenance of machinery and equipment, including hydraulics and guarding of exposed moving parts; safe manual handling systems and procedures; safe systems and procedures for outdoor work, including protection from solar radiation; selection, use and maintenance of relevant personal protective clothing and equipment; and fire risk.

From where might information be sourced for input to the planning process?
Information may come from a range of internal and external sources that might include records of resistance patterns of weed species, records of existing herbicide resistance, records of previous outbreaks, industry journals, and industry seminars/workshops.

What data might be included in the analysis?
Data might be from the distant or recent past, and might include the species and types of weeds that have affected the property. Aspects of the weeds may be the density and growth stage in relation to the crop, distribution throughout the paddock, efficacy of herbicide applied prior to monitoring, and herbicide resistance control measures.

What types of weed and pest might be targeted in the long-term control strategy?
Such pests as insects, weeds, pathogens, vertebrates, nematodes and molluscs. Weeds may be those which are annual, perennial, broad leaf, narrow leaf, or grasses.
Invertebrate pests may be thrips, mites, nematodes, locusts or caterpillars, whereas vertebrate pests might include rabbits, rats, mice, macropods and birds.

What are the diseases that may be at issue?
They may be foliar pathogens, e.g. rusts, chocolate spot, ascochyta, mildew, septaria, seferotina, soil borne pathogens, (for example, take-all, cereal cyst nematodes), rhizoctonia, pythium, fusarium, or phytophthora.

Which herbicides might be part of the control plan, and how may they be used?
Herbicides used may be pre- or post-emergence, and may be root/foliar absorbed. They may be used selectively or non-selectively, or combinations of these.

What physical or alternative control measures might be included in the control plan?
Control measures such as rotations (for example, wheat, other grains, lupins, pulses, pasture and fallow), hay making and grazing. They may also include changing the rotations.

What are the impacts that might be considered when determining long-term strategies?
The impacts may be those that cause financial, environmental, labour, OHS and opportunity costs to the organisation.

What are the methods that might be used in controlling weeds and vertebrate and invertebrate pests?
Amongst the invertebrate pest control methods that may be used are insecticides, biological agents, crop rotation and fallowing. Vertebrate pest control methods may include physical barriers, baiting methods, shooting, fumigation of burrows, trapping, netting, and biological control.
In the instance of weed infestations, the selection of herbicides involves the collection of information, evaluation of alternatives, purchasing arrangements, safe storage, and degree of risk to user and environment, proper application and disposal of residues, manufacturers recommendations, and legislative and end user requirements.

What other planning processes are to be considered when planning for weed, pest and/or disease control?
The planning processes that deal with other discrete areas of the organisation's production include those such as production planning, irrigation planning, pasture and crop management planning, property management planning, business planning, marketing planning, and livestock production planning.

What might affect the scheduling of treatments?
Timing of treatments is planned to suit seasonal influences, weather and weather forecasts, as well as the local geography and the organisation's resourcing situation.

How might records be stored in the organisation?
Records may be created and stored either manually or electronically. They may also be in the form of samples of weeds or pests, photographs or sketches.

What are the OHS issues that impact on managing weed, pest and/or disease control?
They include safe systems and procedures for storage, handling and transportation of hazardous substances; chemicals selected taking into account toxicity levels and environmental effects; systems and procedures for the safe operation and maintenance of machinery and equipment, including hydraulics and guarding of exposed moving parts; safe manual handling systems and procedures; safe systems and procedures for outdoor work, including protection from solar radiation; selection, use and maintenance of relevant personal protective clothing and equipment; and fire risk.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in planning and managing long-term weed, pest and/or disease control in crops requires evidence that the people who are required to implement the plan are clearly informed of its requirements, and of the OHS hazards.
The skills and knowledge required to plan and manage long-term weed, pest and/or disease control in crops must be transferable to a different work environment. For example, across a range of crop types and in both agricultural and horticultural environments.
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:

pest and weed species, including their life cycles and reproduction/multiplication capability
integrated pest and weed management
the effects on crops of weeds, pests and/or diseases including competitive effects on crop yield; threshold levels; and the effects of alternative methods of control
environmental controls and codes of practice applicable to the enterprise
relevant legislation and regulations relating to OHS, contractor engagement, chemical use and application, and vehicle and plant use
environmental controls and codes of practice applicable to the business, and to the weed, pest and/or disease
control operations
sound management practices and processes to minimise noise, odours, and debris from weed, pest and/or disease control operations.

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:

interpret monitored information on pest and weed numbers, density and control
interpret, analyse and extract information from a range of sources and discussions
plan and manage long-term weed, pest and/or disease control including amending plans during the operations
plan land use incorporating appropriate weed, pest and/or disease control measures
establish processes/strategies, procedures and controls for long-term weed, pest and/or disease control
prepare written plans and procedures for implementation by others
negotiate and arrange contracts and agreements
explain, and deliver instructions about the plans and scheduling of the weed, pest and/or disease control operations to both staff and contractors, as well as suppliers, customers, and neighbours
recognise poor growth and lack of vigour caused by nutrient deficiency
observe, identify and react appropriately to environmental implications and OHS hazards.

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:

pest and weed species, including their life cycles and reproduction/multiplication capability
integrated pest and weed management
the effects on crops of weeds, pests and/or diseases including competitive effects on crop yield; threshold levels; and the effects of alternative methods of control
environmental controls and codes of practice applicable to the enterprise
relevant legislation and regulations relating to OHS, contractor engagement, chemical use and application, and vehicle and plant use
environmental controls and codes of practice applicable to the business, and to the weed, pest and/or disease
control operations
sound management practices and processes to minimise noise, odours, and debris from weed, pest and/or disease control operations.

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:

interpret monitored information on pest and weed numbers, density and control
interpret, analyse and extract information from a range of sources and discussions
plan and manage long-term weed, pest and/or disease control including amending plans during the operations
plan land use incorporating appropriate weed, pest and/or disease control measures
establish processes/strategies, procedures and controls for long-term weed, pest and/or disease control
prepare written plans and procedures for implementation by others
negotiate and arrange contracts and agreements
explain, and deliver instructions about the plans and scheduling of the weed, pest and/or disease control operations to both staff and contractors, as well as suppliers, customers, and neighbours
recognise poor growth and lack of vigour caused by nutrient deficiency
observe, identify and react appropriately to environmental implications and OHS hazards.

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
With the full range of staff and industry participants. (3)

Communicating ideas and information
With the full range of staff and industry participants. (3)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Using the variety of sources available for input to decision-making. (3)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Using the variety of sources available for input to decision-making. (3)

Planning and organising activities
In developing plans and directions for the long-term control of weeds, pests and/or diseases. (3)

Planning and organising activities
In developing plans and directions for the long-term control of weeds, pests and/or diseases. (3)

Working with others and in teams
In working with colleagues during input to the range of other planning processes. (2)

Working with others and in teams
In working with colleagues during input to the range of other planning processes. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
In calculating quantities, ratios, the extent of infestations and the potential costs of activities. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
In calculating quantities, ratios, the extent of infestations and the potential costs of activities. (2)

Solving problems
In recognising where and when amendment is required to plans. (2)

Solving problems
In recognising where and when amendment is required to plans. (2)

Using technology
In operating any necessary equipment prior to, and during, the control operations - communication technology, calculating equipment, measuring equipment, and word processing/spreadsheeting software. (2)

Using technology
In operating any necessary equipment prior to, and during, the control operations - communication technology, calculating equipment, measuring equipment, and word processing/spreadsheeting software. (2)