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 actions could be taken to eliminate or minimise OHS risk?
The range of actions are both systemic and at an operational level. These are listed below:

What personal protective equipment may be relevant to this standard?
Boots, hat/hard hat, overalls, gloves, protective eyewear, hearing protection, respirator or face mask, and sun protection (sun hat, sun screen).

In what situations might feedback be given?
Regular staff discussion in groups, reviews of performance with each staff member, management encouraging comment on their own performance, clearly defining responsibilities for each position, notices, providing information on unit performance - good and bad.

What might aspects of the internal environment include and how may they be adjusted?
Aspects such as humidity, light, temperature variations, and exhaust efficiency. They may be adjusted through the use of blinds, gas heaters, sprinkler systems and shutters.

What conditions are to be considered for livestock?
Livestock density and space, feed and drinker space, air capacity, line speed, feed distribution times, and environmental conditions.

What common disease conditions may be readily identified?
In pigs, they are scours, mange and live, pneumonia, erysipelas and gastric disorders. In chickens and hens they may be coccidiosis, infectious bronchitis, Mareks disease, or chronic respiratory disease.

When would post mortems be carried out?
They will be carried out as a part of daily unit routines, with samples and specialist assistance being called when non-routine symptoms are observed.

What might need to be examined when determining flock health/disease status?
Examining disease status of flock may include examining records of all medications, assessment of medication efficacy, records of serological monitoring, records of other microbiological surveillance such as salmonella, daily record sheets, company performance to expected breed standards for mortality, body weight, feed times, feed rates, and recognising abnormal lesions on post-mortem and relaying these for diagnosis in conjunction with manager and veterinary staff.

What are the components of the quarantine procedures?
They include perimeter fencing, rodent and wildlife control, visitor policy/showering/clothing, and the control of interactions with feed trucks/market.

What may collected information relate to?
Information gathered and collated may relate to herd/flock performance, stock transfers, and/or unit targets.

How might information be documented?
Record keeping systems used may be either paper-based or digital, and information will be recorded into logbooks or other records.

What performance data will be collated?
Performance data concerning livestock may include weights, feed and water information, mating records, litter performance, disease incidence, sales, deaths and losses, and audit. Whilst performance data concerning operators may include attendance records, work schedules, team activities, staff classification by job description, and preparation of clear work schedules.

Why must information be gathered, collated and presented with efficiency?
Rapid detection of poor performance and the reasons are critical to minimise economic loss in a poultry production unit. Analysis and hopefully rapid corrective action follow detection.

What actions could be taken to eliminate or minimise OHS risk?
The range of actions are both systemic and at an operational level. These are listed below:

What personal protective equipment may be relevant to this standard?
Boots, hat/hard hat, overalls, gloves, protective eyewear, hearing protection, respirator or face mask, and sun protection (sun hat, sun screen).

In what situations might feedback be given?
Regular staff discussion in groups, reviews of performance with each staff member, management encouraging comment on their own performance, clearly defining responsibilities for each position, notices, providing information on unit performance - good and bad.

What might aspects of the internal environment include and how may they be adjusted?
Aspects such as humidity, light, temperature variations, and exhaust efficiency. They may be adjusted through the use of blinds, gas heaters, sprinkler systems and shutters.

What conditions are to be considered for livestock?
Livestock density and space, feed and drinker space, air capacity, line speed, feed distribution times, and environmental conditions.

What common disease conditions may be readily identified?
In pigs, they are scours, mange and live, pneumonia, erysipelas and gastric disorders. In chickens and hens they may be coccidiosis, infectious bronchitis, Mareks disease, or chronic respiratory disease.

When would post mortems be carried out?
They will be carried out as a part of daily unit routines, with samples and specialist assistance being called when non-routine symptoms are observed.

What might need to be examined when determining flock health/disease status?
Examining disease status of flock may include examining records of all medications, assessment of medication efficacy, records of serological monitoring, records of other microbiological surveillance such as salmonella, daily record sheets, company performance to expected breed standards for mortality, body weight, feed times, feed rates, and recognising abnormal lesions on post-mortem and relaying these for diagnosis in conjunction with manager and veterinary staff.

What are the components of the quarantine procedures?
They include perimeter fencing, rodent and wildlife control, visitor policy/showering/clothing, and the control of interactions with feed trucks/market.

What may collected information relate to?
Information gathered and collated may relate to herd/flock performance, stock transfers, and/or unit targets.

How might information be documented?
Record keeping systems used may be either paper-based or digital, and information will be recorded into logbooks or other records.

What performance data will be collated?
Performance data concerning livestock may include weights, feed and water information, mating records, litter performance, disease incidence, sales, deaths and losses, and audit. Whilst performance data concerning operators may include attendance records, work schedules, team activities, staff classification by job description, and preparation of clear work schedules.

Why must information be gathered, collated and presented with efficiency?
Rapid detection of poor performance and the reasons are critical to minimise economic loss in a poultry production unit. Analysis and hopefully rapid corrective action follow detection.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in co-ordinating and monitoring intensive production performance requires evidence that work schedules are accurately interpreted and resources are allocated efficiently to achieve the required outcomes.
The skills and knowledge required to coordinate and monitor intensive production performance must be transferable to a different work environment. For example, across a range of different shed types and production systems, as well as a range of livestock breeds and classes.
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:

common livestock diseases and clinical signs
relevant industry, environmental and quality standards (inc ISO9002:1094)
animal welfare codes of practice and procedures
biosecurity codes of practice
types of sheds equipment
costs, depreciation, measuring livestock performance economically
using statistics to verify problems
workplace agreements or award conditions for staff
staff training plans and programs
recording and reporting requirements
fundamentals of quarantine and control methods
feed ingredients, additives, and differences.

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:

read and interpret cost sheets, production information, target statistics, quantities of feed and other inputs, job performance audits, and MSDS
prepare and present production and other information in a manner that is readily accessible for both management and operators
prepare, update and amend spread-sheeted information using a software package
discuss production performance, risk and hazard potential, quality of output, and methods of production with both management and operators
plan and implement the activities contained in livestock production plans
observe, identify and react appropriately to environmental implications and OHS hazards
recognise when performance standards are exceeded, and investigate and report findings in written form
provide leadership for staff including feedback on performance.

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:

common livestock diseases and clinical signs
relevant industry, environmental and quality standards (inc ISO9002:1094)
animal welfare codes of practice and procedures
biosecurity codes of practice
types of sheds equipment
costs, depreciation, measuring livestock performance economically
using statistics to verify problems
workplace agreements or award conditions for staff
staff training plans and programs
recording and reporting requirements
fundamentals of quarantine and control methods
feed ingredients, additives, and differences.

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:

read and interpret cost sheets, production information, target statistics, quantities of feed and other inputs, job performance audits, and MSDS
prepare and present production and other information in a manner that is readily accessible for both management and operators
prepare, update and amend spread-sheeted information using a software package
discuss production performance, risk and hazard potential, quality of output, and methods of production with both management and operators
plan and implement the activities contained in livestock production plans
observe, identify and react appropriately to environmental implications and OHS hazards
recognise when performance standards are exceeded, and investigate and report findings in written form
provide leadership for staff including feedback on performance.

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 preparing documentation to be read and interpreted by a range of people with differing needs. (2)

Communicating ideas and information
By preparing documentation to be read and interpreted by a range of people with differing needs. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Collecting, analysing and organising information to analyse problems and investigate from 1st principles. (3)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Collecting, analysing and organising information to analyse problems and investigate from 1st principles. (3)

Planning and organising activities
Planning and organising activities by allocating and ensuring all work is completed. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Planning and organising activities by allocating and ensuring all work is completed. (2)

Working with others and in teams
Working with teams and others by co-ordinating and organising groups of people to perform operational tasks. (3)

Working with others and in teams
Working with teams and others by co-ordinating and organising groups of people to perform operational tasks. (3)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
In collecting and presenting production data, and to confirm compliance with or deviation from standards. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
In collecting and presenting production data, and to confirm compliance with or deviation from standards. (2)

Solving problems
In investigating and assessing disease presentation in livestock. (2)

Solving problems
In investigating and assessing disease presentation in livestock. (2)

Using technology
In operating a range of equipment during the production operations - communication technology, calculating equipment, measuring and recording equipment, and spreadsheeting software. (2)

Using technology
In operating a range of equipment during the production operations - communication technology, calculating equipment, measuring and recording equipment, and spreadsheeting software. (2)