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

How may nutrient requirements be assessed?
Nutrients may include nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, calcium, magnesium, boron, molybdenum, copper and chlorine. Nutrient requirements may be assessed by tissue or soil testing.

What enterprise requirements may apply to this standard?
SOP, industry standards, Total Quality Management standards, product labels, manufacturers specifications, MSDS, operators manuals, enterprise policies and procedures (including waste disposal, recycling and re-use) and reporting requirements. It may also include consideration of the following factors:
the introduction of transgenic varieties to minimise chemical use
the industry commitment to minimise pesticide use
containing pesticides to the pesticide site
selecting pesticides with minimal environmental impact.

What information may be included in a crop program?
A crop program may include plant species, seasonal influences, yield requirements, pasture renovation requirements to production goals, and the overall levels of weed infestations.

What environmental protection strategies may be relevant to this standard?
Safe use and disposal of machinery and equipment debris and detergent waste from servicing, maintenance and cleaning procedures, strategic placing of dams, siting of stock to prevent overgrazing and erosion, and maintaining stable banks in streams.

What range of physical and financial records may be maintained?
This may include seed and fertiliser rates and costs, number of paddock operations and fuel costs, types of chemicals, rates and costs of applications for week, pest and disease control, amount of irrigation water applied and application costs, weather conditions during growth, purchased labour, contracting and share-farming.

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

How may nutrient requirements be assessed?
Nutrients may include nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, calcium, magnesium, boron, molybdenum, copper and chlorine. Nutrient requirements may be assessed by tissue or soil testing.

What enterprise requirements may apply to this standard?
SOP, industry standards, Total Quality Management standards, product labels, manufacturers specifications, MSDS, operators manuals, enterprise policies and procedures (including waste disposal, recycling and re-use) and reporting requirements. It may also include consideration of the following factors:
the introduction of transgenic varieties to minimise chemical use
the industry commitment to minimise pesticide use
containing pesticides to the pesticide site
selecting pesticides with minimal environmental impact.

What information may be included in a crop program?
A crop program may include plant species, seasonal influences, yield requirements, pasture renovation requirements to production goals, and the overall levels of weed infestations.

What environmental protection strategies may be relevant to this standard?
Safe use and disposal of machinery and equipment debris and detergent waste from servicing, maintenance and cleaning procedures, strategic placing of dams, siting of stock to prevent overgrazing and erosion, and maintaining stable banks in streams.

What range of physical and financial records may be maintained?
This may include seed and fertiliser rates and costs, number of paddock operations and fuel costs, types of chemicals, rates and costs of applications for week, pest and disease control, amount of irrigation water applied and application costs, weather conditions during growth, purchased labour, contracting and share-farming.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in developing and implementing a pasture and crop management program requires evidence of the ability to plan and develop programs and manage resources. Evidence must be provided in evaluating the success or otherwise of crop programs as well as the quality and sustainability of the land.
The skills and knowledge required to develop and implement a pasture and crop management program must be transferable to another rural environment. For example, competence in this unit would support the development of planning and improving for both crop and land uses.
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:

land and soil conditions
effects of nutrients of soil types
financial analysis techniques
environmental protection strategies
cultivation requirements for different types of crop
safe handling processes for fertilisers
infestation patterns for different types of weed
OHS legislative requirements
relevant codes of practice, legislation and regulations relating to farm production.

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:

measure and assess quantities of fertiliser
apply environmental protection strategies in land use
set objectives and milestones
calculate costs
determine soil quality and land use capability
predict patterns of weed infestation
design irrigation processes to avoid soil degradation
converse and liaise with industry network, staff and senior management
write reports for the understanding of staff and management
assess financial strategies and prepare budgets.

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:

land and soil conditions
effects of nutrients of soil types
financial analysis techniques
environmental protection strategies
cultivation requirements for different types of crop
safe handling processes for fertilisers
infestation patterns for different types of weed
OHS legislative requirements
relevant codes of practice, legislation and regulations relating to farm production.

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:

measure and assess quantities of fertiliser
apply environmental protection strategies in land use
set objectives and milestones
calculate costs
determine soil quality and land use capability
predict patterns of weed infestation
design irrigation processes to avoid soil degradation
converse and liaise with industry network, staff and senior management
write reports for the understanding of staff and management
assess financial strategies and prepare budgets.

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
Presentations about the crop management may need to be developed and presented for the benefit of staff involved in the program. (3)

Communicating ideas and information
Presentations about the crop management may need to be developed and presented for the benefit of staff involved in the program. (3)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Information on the program may be documented and organised by reports for analysis. (3)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Information on the program may be documented and organised by reports for analysis. (3)

Planning and organising activities
Resources and materials necessary to the program may need to be scheduled to meet timetables and deadlines. (3)

Planning and organising activities
Resources and materials necessary to the program may need to be scheduled to meet timetables and deadlines. (3)

Working with others and in teams
The implementation of the plan may need input and advice from others, as well as requiring the co-ordination of other staff work schedules. (3)

Working with others and in teams
The implementation of the plan may need input and advice from others, as well as requiring the co-ordination of other staff work schedules. (3)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Estimation techniques may be necessary to determine the likelihood of successful outcomes of the pasture and crop management program. (3)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Estimation techniques may be necessary to determine the likelihood of successful outcomes of the pasture and crop management program. (3)

Solving problems
Problems may arise in the course of the program that needs to be addressed through adjustments of the programs resources or timetables. (3)

Solving problems
Problems may arise in the course of the program that needs to be addressed through adjustments of the programs resources or timetables. (3)

Using technology
Technology may be used to monitor and calculate the results of the program. (3)

Using technology
Technology may be used to monitor and calculate the results of the program. (3)