Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range of Variables explains the 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.

What documents would be examined in preparation for the control operations?
The documents that outline the organisations production planning for the specified period the policies and procedures in relation to chemical handling and occupational health & safety, as well as the way in which potential environmental impacts should be approached.

What agricultural crops are covered by this unit?
Agricultural crops covered by this unit include wheat and coarse grains, cotton, grain legumes, oilseeds, sugar, temperate and tropical pastures

Why might particular planting methods be selected?
The reasons for selecting particular planting methods might be to minimise any erosion risks, to suit planting and production conditions, to control weeds and pests, or to suit the specific machinery that is available to be used.

How should the availability of the seed be determined?
This would depend on the existing seed that might be stored on-site, the particular supplier that would be used, and the seasonal requirements for particular seed types.

What resources will be required for the planting operation?
The resources required will be stated in terms of personnel (these might be temporary, permanent, or contracted workers), machinery and equipment, consumables, and leasing arrangements.

What reasons would there be for applying chemicals prior to planting?
Chemicals might be applied to enhance germination, to fertilise the soil, or to either prevent or kill weeds and pests.

What are the detrimental environmental impacts that would be avoided?
Suitable planning and appropriate decisions will avoid, or minimise, impacts such as wind erosion, removal of topsoil, the development of acid sulfate soils, and increased water run-off speeds.

What are the occupational health & safety hazards that might exist?
Hazards might be the operation of other machinery and vehicles, excessive noise, organic and other dusts, hazards associated with storing and handling bulk grain and other seeds, pulses, pasture seed and billets and the hazards associated with storing handling, and transporting hazardous substances.

What approvals might be required, and from where might they be obtained?
The approvals may be those that are required by the Environment Protection Act, environmental agencies regulations, duty of care, isolation procedures, occupational health & safety legislation, site regulations and procedures, Australian Standards, manufacturers specifications and recommendations, statutory requirements, or traditional land owners requirements. Such approvals may be obtained from the various authorities that implement the associated regulations, or agencies that operate on their behalf.

What other methods might be used to control weeds and pests?
Apart from chemical applications, physical, biological, or environmental methods could be used.

What might affect scheduling for planting?
Timing for planting is planned to suit seasonal influences, weather and weather forecasts, as well as the local geography and the organisations resourcing situation.

What processes are required to be undertaken before planting can begin?
Before beginning to sow, equipment must be serviced to a reliable and operational standard, the seed must be prepared and made available, and any pre-planting chemicals that are required must be applied.

What occupational health & safety requirements relate to planting operations?
Actions that will reduce the occupational health & safety risk are the selection, use and maintenance of personal protective equipment, the appropriate and responsible servicing of equipment and vehicles, the use of safe manual handling systems, and protection from both noise and dusts.

What environmental requirements relate to planting operations?
Work practices such as the incorporation of organic matter into the soil, the appropriate and responsible disposal of waste materials and trash, and the methods selected for planting.

What documents would be examined in preparation for the control operations?
The documents that outline the organisations production planning for the specified period the policies and procedures in relation to chemical handling and occupational health & safety, as well as the way in which potential environmental impacts should be approached.

What agricultural crops are covered by this unit?
Agricultural crops covered by this unit include wheat and coarse grains, cotton, grain legumes, oilseeds, sugar, temperate and tropical pastures

Why might particular planting methods be selected?
The reasons for selecting particular planting methods might be to minimise any erosion risks, to suit planting and production conditions, to control weeds and pests, or to suit the specific machinery that is available to be used.

How should the availability of the seed be determined?
This would depend on the existing seed that might be stored on-site, the particular supplier that would be used, and the seasonal requirements for particular seed types.

What resources will be required for the planting operation?
The resources required will be stated in terms of personnel (these might be temporary, permanent, or contracted workers), machinery and equipment, consumables, and leasing arrangements.

What reasons would there be for applying chemicals prior to planting?
Chemicals might be applied to enhance germination, to fertilise the soil, or to either prevent or kill weeds and pests.

What are the detrimental environmental impacts that would be avoided?
Suitable planning and appropriate decisions will avoid, or minimise, impacts such as wind erosion, removal of topsoil, the development of acid sulfate soils, and increased water run-off speeds.

What are the occupational health & safety hazards that might exist?
Hazards might be the operation of other machinery and vehicles, excessive noise, organic and other dusts, hazards associated with storing and handling bulk grain and other seeds, pulses, pasture seed and billets and the hazards associated with storing handling, and transporting hazardous substances.

What approvals might be required, and from where might they be obtained?
The approvals may be those that are required by the Environment Protection Act, environmental agencies regulations, duty of care, isolation procedures, occupational health & safety legislation, site regulations and procedures, Australian Standards, manufacturers specifications and recommendations, statutory requirements, or traditional land owners requirements. Such approvals may be obtained from the various authorities that implement the associated regulations, or agencies that operate on their behalf.

What other methods might be used to control weeds and pests?
Apart from chemical applications, physical, biological, or environmental methods could be used.

What might affect scheduling for planting?
Timing for planting is planned to suit seasonal influences, weather and weather forecasts, as well as the local geography and the organisations resourcing situation.

What processes are required to be undertaken before planting can begin?
Before beginning to sow, equipment must be serviced to a reliable and operational standard, the seed must be prepared and made available, and any pre-planting chemicals that are required must be applied.

What occupational health & safety requirements relate to planting operations?
Actions that will reduce the occupational health & safety risk are the selection, use and maintenance of personal protective equipment, the appropriate and responsible servicing of equipment and vehicles, the use of safe manual handling systems, and protection from both noise and dusts.

What environmental requirements relate to planting operations?
Work practices such as the incorporation of organic matter into the soil, the appropriate and responsible disposal of waste materials and trash, and the methods selected for planting.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in planning for planting requires evidence that the plan takes all potential environmental and occupational health & safety impacts into consideration while determining which planting methods might be used, how tillage and trash might be dealt with, and appropriately calculating the resource requirements for the operation.
The skills and knowledge required to plan and monitor planting operations must be transferable to a different work environment. For example, across the range of agricultural crops and associated planting methods that might be used.
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:

The equipment that is required for a range of tillage methods, and pest and weed control prior to planting
Equipment servicing requirements
Integrated pest and weed management techniques
Environmental controls and codes of practice applicable to the enterprise
Relevant legislation and regulations relating to occupational health & safety, contractor engagement, chemical use and application, and vehicle and plant use
Environmental controls and codes of practice applicable to the business and to the planting operations
Sound management practices and processes to minimise noise, odours, and debris from planting 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:

Identify the seasonal conditions which affect crop establishment
Plan and schedule planting including amending plans during the operations
Calculate resource requirements from the long-term plan
Prepare written plans and procedures for implementation by others
Explain, and deliver instructions about, the plans and scheduling of the planting operations to both staff and contractors
Recognise poor growth and lack of vigour caused by nutrient deficiency and incorrect planting depth
Observe, identify and react appropriately to environmental implications and occupational health & safety 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:

The equipment that is required for a range of tillage methods, and pest and weed control prior to planting
Equipment servicing requirements
Integrated pest and weed management techniques
Environmental controls and codes of practice applicable to the enterprise
Relevant legislation and regulations relating to occupational health & safety, contractor engagement, chemical use and application, and vehicle and plant use
Environmental controls and codes of practice applicable to the business and to the planting operations
Sound management practices and processes to minimise noise, odours, and debris from planting 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:

Identify the seasonal conditions which affect crop establishment
Plan and schedule planting including amending plans during the operations
Calculate resource requirements from the long-term plan
Prepare written plans and procedures for implementation by others
Explain, and deliver instructions about, the plans and scheduling of the planting operations to both staff and contractors
Recognise poor growth and lack of vigour caused by nutrient deficiency and incorrect planting depth
Observe, identify and react appropriately to environmental implications and occupational health & safety 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
By clearly explaining to staff, and / or contractors, the purpose, requirements, and processes to be used during the operation. (3)

Communicating ideas and information
By clearly explaining to staff, and / or contractors, the purpose, requirements, and processes to be used during the operation. (3)

Collecting analysing and organising information
In gathering and analysing the organisations long-term plans for planting as input to the implementation plan. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
In gathering and analysing the organisations long-term plans for planting as input to the implementation plan. (2)

Planning and organising activities
By scheduling for the people, materials, and equipment to be in the right place at the right time. (3)

Planning and organising activities
By scheduling for the people, materials, and equipment to be in the right place at the right time. (3)

Working with others and in teams
In coordinating and supervising the operation. (3)

Working with others and in teams
In coordinating and supervising the operation. (3)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
In calculating the resource requirements for the control operations from the plan. (3)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
In calculating the resource requirements for the control operations from the plan. (3)

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

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

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