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 crops might the planting plan cover?
Any crop grown by the organisation for production or pasture. These may be cereals, legumes, pulses, oilseeds, pasture seeds, cotton, or sugar cane.

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).

What environmental implications may be associated with cleaning and maintenance procedures?
Detrimental environmental impacts may result from excessive noise and exhaust emissions, the incorrect use and disposal of maintenance debris (oils, containers, chemical residues), dust, and hazardous substances (fuel). Impacts may also include run-off flows of water and cleaning agents from servicing, maintenance and cleaning activities.

In what condition might the site be?
It might be the site of a previous years crop or have been used for grazing or laid fallow for a period prior to cultivation. It may also be land cleared of virgin forest, low lying land verging on mangroves, sloping high land, existing cleared land, and may have soil or surface water.

What vehicles and equipment might be used in preparing a site for planting?

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.

How might previous crop or land clearance debris be dealt with?
The planting plan might require that such debris is removed (or sprayed), incorporated (smashing, cultivating, mulching, slashing), burnt or used for grazing for a period.

What actions should be taken to ensure that equipment is operated safely?
The speeds used should be appropriate for the equipment, ground and the crop conditions, and all pre- and post-start up checks should be undertaken.

What might completing a soil profile entail?
Where laser levelling is required, assistance may be required for contractors in surveying and pegging. Also soil testing and analysis may be required.

What weed and pest control measures might be used?

How should treatments be used?
Use of insecticides, fertilisers and physical agents should meet legislative, manufacturers and organisation requirements.

What environmental impacts might need to be considered in preparing the site?
Detrimental effects such as erosion, loss of moisture, debilitating germination rates, and polluting water bodies.

What actions will require documentation?
All chemical usage should be recorded as well as any necessary recording of paddock size, and vehicle and equipment use. Additionally, any assessment of pests and weeds, OHS hazards, or other observations should be recorded appropriately.

What crops might the planting plan cover?
Any crop grown by the organisation for production or pasture. These may be cereals, legumes, pulses, oilseeds, pasture seeds, cotton, or sugar cane.

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).

What environmental implications may be associated with cleaning and maintenance procedures?
Detrimental environmental impacts may result from excessive noise and exhaust emissions, the incorrect use and disposal of maintenance debris (oils, containers, chemical residues), dust, and hazardous substances (fuel). Impacts may also include run-off flows of water and cleaning agents from servicing, maintenance and cleaning activities.

In what condition might the site be?
It might be the site of a previous years crop or have been used for grazing or laid fallow for a period prior to cultivation. It may also be land cleared of virgin forest, low lying land verging on mangroves, sloping high land, existing cleared land, and may have soil or surface water.

What vehicles and equipment might be used in preparing a site for planting?

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.

How might previous crop or land clearance debris be dealt with?
The planting plan might require that such debris is removed (or sprayed), incorporated (smashing, cultivating, mulching, slashing), burnt or used for grazing for a period.

What actions should be taken to ensure that equipment is operated safely?
The speeds used should be appropriate for the equipment, ground and the crop conditions, and all pre- and post-start up checks should be undertaken.

What might completing a soil profile entail?
Where laser levelling is required, assistance may be required for contractors in surveying and pegging. Also soil testing and analysis may be required.

What weed and pest control measures might be used?

How should treatments be used?
Use of insecticides, fertilisers and physical agents should meet legislative, manufacturers and organisation requirements.

What environmental impacts might need to be considered in preparing the site?
Detrimental effects such as erosion, loss of moisture, debilitating germination rates, and polluting water bodies.

What actions will require documentation?
All chemical usage should be recorded as well as any necessary recording of paddock size, and vehicle and equipment use. Additionally, any assessment of pests and weeds, OHS hazards, or other observations should be recorded appropriately.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in preparing land for crop production requires evidence that a site for planting is prepared safely, to the requirements of the organisation, and to the needs of the crop.
The skills and knowledge required to prepare land for crop production must be transferable to a different work environment. For example, this could include different crop types, machinery and equipment, and enterprise procedures.
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:

methods of cultivating a range of soil types
environmental issues of cultivating soil for planting, such as drainage and irrigation systems, soil amelioration and waste disposal procedures
a range of pre-planting treatments, their purpose and method of application
OHS guidelines, procedures, and principles including manual handling.

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 production/planting plans, produce standards, quality specifications, work procedure documents
measure materials and site plan specifications
operate, adjust and calibrate cultivation equipment safely
complete pre- and post-operational checks on tools, vehicles and equipment
perform routine safety, service and maintenance procedures on tools, harvester and equipment
read and interpret manufacturers specifications, work and maintenance plans, and Material Safety Data Sheets
interpret and apply task instructions, communicate with work team and supervisor, and record and report faults, workplace hazards and accidents.

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:

methods of cultivating a range of soil types
environmental issues of cultivating soil for planting, such as drainage and irrigation systems, soil amelioration and waste disposal procedures
a range of pre-planting treatments, their purpose and method of application
OHS guidelines, procedures, and principles including manual handling.

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 production/planting plans, produce standards, quality specifications, work procedure documents
measure materials and site plan specifications
operate, adjust and calibrate cultivation equipment safely
complete pre- and post-operational checks on tools, vehicles and equipment
perform routine safety, service and maintenance procedures on tools, harvester and equipment
read and interpret manufacturers specifications, work and maintenance plans, and Material Safety Data Sheets
interpret and apply task instructions, communicate with work team and supervisor, and record and report faults, workplace hazards and accidents.

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
Written, oral and telecommunication of ideas and information relating to crop planting activities and problems encountered may be required with the supervisor, work group, contractors, consultants or suppliers. (2)

Communicating ideas and information
Written, oral and telecommunication of ideas and information relating to crop planting activities and problems encountered may be required with the supervisor, work group, contractors, consultants or suppliers. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Organisation guidelines, production and planting plans may be consulted, interpreted and applied to coordinate land preparation activities with further clarification sought from the supervisor, contractors or consultants where necessary. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Organisation guidelines, production and planting plans may be consulted, interpreted and applied to coordinate land preparation activities with further clarification sought from the supervisor, contractors or consultants where necessary. (1)

Planning and organising activities
Work activities for the work group, contractors and self may be planned prior to, and adjusted during, the site preparation works. (1)

Planning and organising activities
Work activities for the work group, contractors and self may be planned prior to, and adjusted during, the site preparation works. (1)

Working with others and in teams
The site preparation works may involve facilitating and leading members of a team to complete the activities on time. (2)

Working with others and in teams
The site preparation works may involve facilitating and leading members of a team to complete the activities on time. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematical application ideas and techniques may be required to calculate the spatial and logistical requirements of the planting site, to calibrate machinery or calculate amounts of planting material needed for the size of a field or paddock. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematical application ideas and techniques may be required to calculate the spatial and logistical requirements of the planting site, to calibrate machinery or calculate amounts of planting material needed for the size of a field or paddock. (2)

Solving problems
Seasonal variation, pests, equipment malfunction, materials non-compliance, personnel difficulties and timeline failures may require problem-solving skills. (1)

Solving problems
Seasonal variation, pests, equipment malfunction, materials non-compliance, personnel difficulties and timeline failures may require problem-solving skills. (1)

Using technology
Technological understanding may be required to operate cultivating machinery, or to use communication or calculation equipment. (2)

Using technology
Technological understanding may be required to operate cultivating machinery, or to use communication or calculation equipment. (2)