Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 9:28 AM AWST

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Manage organic livestock production

Manage organic livestock production

Unit of competency
National Code
AHCORG402A
State Code
D7098
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
10/06/2011
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
25/06/2014
Field of Education
050105 - Animal Husbandry
Original Release Date
25/06/2014
Nominal Hours
100
Description
This unit covers the process of integrating livestock production into an organic production system and defines the standard required to: monitor and maintain animals in an organic production system; provide a suitable diet and living environment for animals based on the National Organic Standards for Organic Livestock Production; integrate animals into an organic production system; manage grazing of animals and allowable inputs to enhance soil health and fertility.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Manage animal health and welfare
  • 1.1. All work is undertaken in an environmentally appropriate manner and according to the principles of organic agriculture, occupational health and safety requirements and enterprise guidelines.
  • 1.2. Natural behaviours of animals and requirements of animal welfare codes of practice are considered in planning for organic livestock production.
  • 1.3. Genetic resistance to parasites is incorporated into breeding strategy.
  • 1.4. Livestock is monitored constantly for health and welfare and records are kept according to enterprise requirements.
  • 1.5. Animal health preventative strategies are developed, communicated to others working on farm and implemented.
  • 1.6. Use of prohibited/restricted substances for organic livestock is documented and treated animals are identified and quarantined.
  • 1.7. Animal transport is conducted humanely and in compliance with organic certification requirements.
  • 1.8. Livestock records required for organic certification are maintained.
2. Develop and implement feed production and storage requirements
  • 2.1. Planning for winter feed and drought preparedness is undertaken.
  • 2.2. Haymaking and/or cropping are incorporated into annual program for animal feed and on-farm sustainability.
  • 2.3. Long term storage for hay and feed is implemented and quality and quantity are monitored.
3. Develop and implement grazing strategies to achieve biodiversity, recycling and sustainability
  • 3.1. Soil and plant health are optimised to provide a nutrient-dense and balanced diet for livestock.
  • 3.2. Pastures are assessed for diversity, health, vigour and ground cover.
  • 3.3. Infrastructure required for implementing rotational grazing strategies is identified and incorporated into property improvement program.
  • 3.4. Rotational grazing strategies are developed and implemented.
  • 3.5. Impact of grazing strategies on nutrient recycling and pasture diversity, persistence and vigour is evaluated.
  • 3.6. Strategies for controlling weeds in pastures are implemented.
4. Research and source allowable inputs for organic livestock production
  • 4.1. Level of nutrients exported from farm is estimated.
  • 4.2. Soil-testing program, including observation of pasture species present, is implemented in order to monitor and maintain optimal pasture species and soil health.
  • 4.3. Soil nutrient levels are replenished through recycling, optimising nutrient availability in soil, and sourcing allowable inputs where necessary.
  • 4.4. Organic fertilisers and soil conditioners are applied to ensure a mineral-balanced and healthy soil.
  • 4.5. Certification protocols for sourcing essential fodder off-farm are followed.
  • 4.6. Fodder is sourced and fed to stock, minimising risk of weed spread and maintaining adequate records.
RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.
Organic may include:
the application of practices that emphasise the use of renewable resources
conservation of energy, soil and water
recognition of livestock welfare needs
environmental maintenance and enhancement, while producing optimum quantities of produce without the use of artificial fertiliser or synthetic chemicals.
Livestock may include:
domestic or domesticated aquatic and terrestrial animals including insects.
Production may include:
any primary production involved in producing an agricultural or aquaculture product.
EVIDENCE GUIDE
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:
monitor and maintain animals in an organic production system
provide a suitable diet and living environment for animals based on the National Organic Standards for Organic Livestock Production
integrate animals into an organic production system
manage grazing of animals and allowable inputs to enhance soil health and fertility.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
BAM06 AHCORG402 Manage organic livestock production Unit of competency