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.

How might weather information be received for monitoring?
Weather information may include personal observation, reports, warnings, data collected on property, and grazier alerts. Information may be accessed by radio, television, computer modem, electronic mail, fax, newspapers, word of mouth, and the weather bureau.

What range of adverse weather conditions may impact on shorn livestock?
This may include rain, wind, wind and rain in combination, wind chill, ultra-violet radiation, hail, snow, sleet, frost, and extreme heat and cold.

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 procedures.

What range of actions may be determined for livestock?
This may include the provision of suitable shelter, shedding or moving livestock, covering or moving fodder, the provision of fire fighting equipment, and auxiliary power supplies.

What aspects of livestock condition and health status might be assessed?
This may include body weight checks, the estimation of gut fill, the presence of disease, and the general observation of soundness and wellbeing.

What may be involved in determining feed requirements?
Feeding requirements may take into account body condition, gut fill and weather conditions in terms of grazing availability.

What suitable shelter may be utilised?
Shelter includes sheds, trees and scrub, sheltered paddocks and gullies, and shade.

What potential and existing hazards may be associated with shearing activities?
Hazards may include livestock movement and handling, damaged yards, obstacles and uneven ground.

What OHS requirements may be applicable to this standard?
Safe systems and procedures for:
livestock handling including zoonoses control
hazard and risk control
manual handling, including lifting and carrying
protection from hazardous noise and organic and other dusts
outdoor work including protection from solar radiation
appropriate use of personal protective equipment.

What environmental implications may be associated with shearing activities?
Negative environmental impacts may result from high density livestock activity, particularly in holding or confined areas, causing increased run-off flows, loss of ground cover, soil disturbance, pugging, odours, dust problems, weed seeds in animal manure, and contamination of ground and surface water supplies.

What relevant information might be recorded and reported?
This may include details of livestock health and condition, livestock abnormalities, livestock numbers, maintenance or repairs carried out, and any hazards or incidents.

How might weather information be received for monitoring?
Weather information may include personal observation, reports, warnings, data collected on property, and grazier alerts. Information may be accessed by radio, television, computer modem, electronic mail, fax, newspapers, word of mouth, and the weather bureau.

What range of adverse weather conditions may impact on shorn livestock?
This may include rain, wind, wind and rain in combination, wind chill, ultra-violet radiation, hail, snow, sleet, frost, and extreme heat and cold.

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 procedures.

What range of actions may be determined for livestock?
This may include the provision of suitable shelter, shedding or moving livestock, covering or moving fodder, the provision of fire fighting equipment, and auxiliary power supplies.

What aspects of livestock condition and health status might be assessed?
This may include body weight checks, the estimation of gut fill, the presence of disease, and the general observation of soundness and wellbeing.

What may be involved in determining feed requirements?
Feeding requirements may take into account body condition, gut fill and weather conditions in terms of grazing availability.

What suitable shelter may be utilised?
Shelter includes sheds, trees and scrub, sheltered paddocks and gullies, and shade.

What potential and existing hazards may be associated with shearing activities?
Hazards may include livestock movement and handling, damaged yards, obstacles and uneven ground.

What OHS requirements may be applicable to this standard?
Safe systems and procedures for:
livestock handling including zoonoses control
hazard and risk control
manual handling, including lifting and carrying
protection from hazardous noise and organic and other dusts
outdoor work including protection from solar radiation
appropriate use of personal protective equipment.

What environmental implications may be associated with shearing activities?
Negative environmental impacts may result from high density livestock activity, particularly in holding or confined areas, causing increased run-off flows, loss of ground cover, soil disturbance, pugging, odours, dust problems, weed seeds in animal manure, and contamination of ground and surface water supplies.

What relevant information might be recorded and reported?
This may include details of livestock health and condition, livestock abnormalities, livestock numbers, maintenance or repairs carried out, and any hazards or incidents.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in this standard requires evidence of the ability to care for and provide appropriate nutritional and environmental requirements for shorn livestock. It also requires the ability to assess livestock health and condition, observe behaviour for abnormalities, recognise sickness or disease, arrange supplementary feeding as required, and maintain a safe and sheltered environment. Evidence must also be demonstrated in the employment of safe workplace and positive environmental practices.
The skills and knowledge required must be transferable to a different work environment. For example, if competence is evident in caring for shorn sheep in a large operation, it must also be evident in carrying out post-shearing procedures for goats in small to medium operations.
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:

impacts of adverse weather conditions on shorn livestock
types and constructs of livestock shelter
livestock handling techniques
environmental codes of practice with regard to livestock production
OHS and animal welfare legislative requirements
National codes of practice for the Shearing Industry (Health, Safety and Welfare standards).

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:

relate weather conditions to livestock requirements
prepare contingency plan and anticipate emergency action
handle livestock with due care
observe and monitor livestock behaviour, health and condition
read and interpret weather information
communicate verbally with work team and manager, comprehend and apply task instructions
calculate livestock numbers and calculate and measure feed requirements.

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:

impacts of adverse weather conditions on shorn livestock
types and constructs of livestock shelter
livestock handling techniques
environmental codes of practice with regard to livestock production
OHS and animal welfare legislative requirements
National codes of practice for the Shearing Industry (Health, Safety and Welfare standards).

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:

relate weather conditions to livestock requirements
prepare contingency plan and anticipate emergency action
handle livestock with due care
observe and monitor livestock behaviour, health and condition
read and interpret weather information
communicate verbally with work team and manager, comprehend and apply task instructions
calculate livestock numbers and calculate and measure feed requirements.

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
Information with regard to forecast adverse weather conditions may be discussed with the manager and work team to determine appropriate course of action. (1)

Communicating ideas and information
Information with regard to forecast adverse weather conditions may be discussed with the manager and work team to determine appropriate course of action. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Post-shearing health and condition of livestock may be detailed and organised by records and reports for analysis. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Post-shearing health and condition of livestock may be detailed and organised by records and reports for analysis. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Repairs and maintenance to shearing facilities may be planned and co-ordinated to minimise post-shearing difficulties. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Repairs and maintenance to shearing facilities may be planned and co-ordinated to minimise post-shearing difficulties. (2)

Working with others and in teams
Team work may be applied to effectively manage the return of livestock to normal feeding routines. (1)

Working with others and in teams
Team work may be applied to effectively manage the return of livestock to normal feeding routines. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematics may be applied in the calculation of livestock feed and water requirements. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematics may be applied in the calculation of livestock feed and water requirements. (1)

Solving problems
Problems of adverse weather conditions may be prepared for with a contingency plan for the movement of livestock to suitable shelter. (1)

Solving problems
Problems of adverse weather conditions may be prepared for with a contingency plan for the movement of livestock to suitable shelter. (1)

Using technology
To communicate, record and monitor prevailing weather conditions (1)

Using technology
To communicate, record and monitor prevailing weather conditions (1)