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 does this unit cover?
Animals covered by this standard include cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, horses and other commercially raised animals.

What personal protective equipment might be used?
Boots, overalls, gloves, and sun protection (sun hat, sunscreen).

What OHS requirements are relevant to this standard?
Safe animal handling systems and procedures including zoonoses control (Q Fever), identify hazards, assess and report risks, safe manual handling systems and procedures. Safe systems and procedures for outdoor work including protection from solar radiation, and the appropriate use of personal protective equipment.

How might animals be prepared?
Preparation of animals includes teasing with females in heat.

What industry approved collection techniques might be used?
Use of "belted" female livestock, artificial ("dummy") female livestock
Semen needs to be collected with zero contamination from spermicides and in a lightproof container..

What are the key considerations when storing semen?
Semen needs to be transferred to the processing and storage area at the correct temperature.

What waste might there be?
Disposable equipment such as single use rubber gloves, collection bottles and filters.

What hygiene factors need to be considered?
Sterile equipment and clean work sites are essential to the insemination process.

How might data on the insemination process be recorded?
In electronic or hard copy.

What animals does this unit cover?
Animals covered by this standard include cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, horses and other commercially raised animals.

What personal protective equipment might be used?
Boots, overalls, gloves, and sun protection (sun hat, sunscreen).

What OHS requirements are relevant to this standard?
Safe animal handling systems and procedures including zoonoses control (Q Fever), identify hazards, assess and report risks, safe manual handling systems and procedures. Safe systems and procedures for outdoor work including protection from solar radiation, and the appropriate use of personal protective equipment.

How might animals be prepared?
Preparation of animals includes teasing with females in heat.

What industry approved collection techniques might be used?
Use of "belted" female livestock, artificial ("dummy") female livestock
Semen needs to be collected with zero contamination from spermicides and in a lightproof container..

What are the key considerations when storing semen?
Semen needs to be transferred to the processing and storage area at the correct temperature.

What waste might there be?
Disposable equipment such as single use rubber gloves, collection bottles and filters.

What hygiene factors need to be considered?
Sterile equipment and clean work sites are essential to the insemination process.

How might data on the insemination process be recorded?
In electronic or hard copy.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in collecting semen for artificial insemination requires evidence of the ability to prepare for and undertake hygienic collection of semen, to match collection vessels and labelling to the sire, and transfer semen safely to the preparation and storage area. In addition, it requires the ability to handle animals in a humane, stress free, and safe manner, and to clean up work areas and equipment and record data.

The skills and knowledge required to collect semen from animals must be transferable to another rural workplace. For example this may include different animal breeds, types and insemination techniques.
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:

animal health and abnormalities
semen collecting and transfer techniques
animal handling techniques and behavioural characteristics
enterprise and industry identification system for animals
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
enterprise and industry policies with regard to semen collection 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:

sterilise equipment and prepare hygienic worksite prior to insemination procedures
identify and record animals on heat
employ safe work practices
clean up work site and safely dispose of waste
communicate effectively with other team 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:

animal health and abnormalities
semen collecting and transfer techniques
animal handling techniques and behavioural characteristics
enterprise and industry identification system for animals
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
enterprise and industry policies with regard to semen collection 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:

sterilise equipment and prepare hygienic worksite prior to insemination procedures
identify and record animals on heat
employ safe work practices
clean up work site and safely dispose of waste
communicate effectively with other team 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
Semen collection processes and animal behaviour may be observed and accurately reported for correct action to occur. (1)

Communicating ideas and information
Semen collection processes and animal behaviour may be observed and accurately reported for correct action to occur. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Details of semen collection processes and outcomes may be observed and reported. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Details of semen collection processes and outcomes may be observed and reported. (1)

Planning and organising activities
Semen collection activities may be planned and organised to ensure optimum results. (1)

Planning and organising activities
Semen collection activities may be planned and organised to ensure optimum results. (1)

Working with others and in teams
Teamwork may be applied in methods and procedures to handle and collect semen. (1)

Working with others and in teams
Teamwork may be applied in methods and procedures to handle and collect semen. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematics may be applied to count and identify animals and estimate volumes of semen collected. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematics may be applied to count and identify animals and estimate volumes of semen collected. (1)

Solving problems
Semen collecting procedures may require remedial action to ensure correct semen is identified, and to avoid any complications at the time of insemination. (1)

Solving problems
Semen collecting procedures may require remedial action to ensure correct semen is identified, and to avoid any complications at the time of insemination. (1)

Using technology
To communicate, calculate and record semen collection data and herd management data. (1)

Using technology
To communicate, calculate and record semen collection data and herd management data. (1)