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 information may be included in a muster plan?
This may include the location and identity of livestock for muster, route details for livestock movement including feed, water and rest points, individual work tasks, equipment, resource and transport requirements, roles of working dogs (when used), communication requirements (vocal, radio, mobile phones), procedures for the muster team and contingency plans in the event of adverse weather conditions.

What types of transport may be arranged?
Motorbikes, utilities and vehicles, horses and trailers. Transport may also include the use of helicopters for aerial assistance.

What additional information may be relevant to the mustering process?
This may include timetables, road maps and property plans, location of shade or shelter, location of fences, gates and laneways, and details of supply providers.

What existing and potential hazards may be identified?
Livestock movement and handling, solar radiation, dust, moving machinery and vehicles.

What OHS requirements may be relevant to this standard?
Safe systems and procedures for:
livestock handling including zoonoses control (Q Fever)
hazard and risk control
manual handling
handling, application and storage of hazardous substances
horse handling
the operation of motorcycles and other vehicles
outdoor work including protection from solar radiation, dust and noise
the appropriate use and maintenance of personal protective equipment.

What personal protective clothing and equipment may be relevant to this standard?
This may include boots, helmet, overalls, gloves, protective eyewear, hearing protection, respirator or face mask, and sun protection (sun hat, sunscreen).

What livestock are covered by this standard?
Beef cattle, sheep, horses and goats.

What enterprise requirements may be applicable to this standard?
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), industry standards, production schedules, MSDS, work notes and plans, product labels, manufacturers specifications, operators manuals, enterprise policies and procedures (including waste disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines), and supervisors oral or written instructions.

What environmental implications may be associated with livestock activity?
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, dust problems, weed seeds in animal manure, and contamination of ground and surface water supplies.

What considerations may be involved in the movement livestock?
This may include conducting the move in a controlled and quiet manner to destination, giving livestock time to settle, and ensure the closure of gates.

How might the safe mustering of livestock be carried out?
In the application of controlled and calming techniques, including the control and direction of working dogs (when used), to minimise stress to livestock and prevent risks to young livestock of smothering, and ensuring that communication between the muster team exists at all times.

What information may be included in a muster plan?
This may include the location and identity of livestock for muster, route details for livestock movement including feed, water and rest points, individual work tasks, equipment, resource and transport requirements, roles of working dogs (when used), communication requirements (vocal, radio, mobile phones), procedures for the muster team and contingency plans in the event of adverse weather conditions.

What types of transport may be arranged?
Motorbikes, utilities and vehicles, horses and trailers. Transport may also include the use of helicopters for aerial assistance.

What additional information may be relevant to the mustering process?
This may include timetables, road maps and property plans, location of shade or shelter, location of fences, gates and laneways, and details of supply providers.

What existing and potential hazards may be identified?
Livestock movement and handling, solar radiation, dust, moving machinery and vehicles.

What OHS requirements may be relevant to this standard?
Safe systems and procedures for:
livestock handling including zoonoses control (Q Fever)
hazard and risk control
manual handling
handling, application and storage of hazardous substances
horse handling
the operation of motorcycles and other vehicles
outdoor work including protection from solar radiation, dust and noise
the appropriate use and maintenance of personal protective equipment.

What personal protective clothing and equipment may be relevant to this standard?
This may include boots, helmet, overalls, gloves, protective eyewear, hearing protection, respirator or face mask, and sun protection (sun hat, sunscreen).

What livestock are covered by this standard?
Beef cattle, sheep, horses and goats.

What enterprise requirements may be applicable to this standard?
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), industry standards, production schedules, MSDS, work notes and plans, product labels, manufacturers specifications, operators manuals, enterprise policies and procedures (including waste disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines), and supervisors oral or written instructions.

What environmental implications may be associated with livestock activity?
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, dust problems, weed seeds in animal manure, and contamination of ground and surface water supplies.

What considerations may be involved in the movement livestock?
This may include conducting the move in a controlled and quiet manner to destination, giving livestock time to settle, and ensure the closure of gates.

How might the safe mustering of livestock be carried out?
In the application of controlled and calming techniques, including the control and direction of working dogs (when used), to minimise stress to livestock and prevent risks to young livestock of smothering, and ensuring that communication between the muster team exists at all times.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in this standard requires evidence of the ability under supervision to safely and humanely muster and move livestock along prepared routes in a calm and controlled manner. It requires the ability to implement a muster plan, operate and maintain muster vehicles, interpret maps, monitor and anticipate livestock behaviour, provide and maintain appropriate livestock health and nutritional requirements. Evidence must also be demonstrated in the employment of safe workplace and positive environmental practices.
The skills and knowledge required to muster and move livestock must be transferable to another work environment. For example, if competence is evident in the mustering and moving of sheep, it must also be evident in operations to muster and move beef cattle.
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:

mustering and movement methods and techniques
livestock basic health and nutritional requirements
livestock herding/flocking behaviour
environmental codes of practice with regard to livestock production
working dogs uses and techniques (where appropriate)
operational, maintenance and licensing requirements of transport vehicles
legislative requirements for stock movement along public roads
relevant OHS and animal welfare legislative requirements.

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:

provide due care and handle livestock safely and humanely
prepare equipment and working dogs (when used) for handling livestock
safely drive vehicles
monitor livestock behaviour and recognise abnormalities
monitor and minimise impacts to the environment
communicate effectively with the muster team
read and interpret muster plans and maps
calculate livestock numbers and assess and calculate feed and water 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:

mustering and movement methods and techniques
livestock basic health and nutritional requirements
livestock herding/flocking behaviour
environmental codes of practice with regard to livestock production
working dogs uses and techniques (where appropriate)
operational, maintenance and licensing requirements of transport vehicles
legislative requirements for stock movement along public roads
relevant OHS and animal welfare legislative requirements.

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:

provide due care and handle livestock safely and humanely
prepare equipment and working dogs (when used) for handling livestock
safely drive vehicles
monitor livestock behaviour and recognise abnormalities
monitor and minimise impacts to the environment
communicate effectively with the muster team
read and interpret muster plans and maps
calculate livestock numbers and assess and calculate feed and water 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
Identified hazards or problems encountered during the muster and movement process may be communicated to the muster team and the supervisor. (2)

Communicating ideas and information
Identified hazards or problems encountered during the muster and movement process may be communicated to the muster team and the supervisor. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Information with regard to the muster and movement process and outcomes, may be assessed against the muster plan and organised by enterprise reports. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Information with regard to the muster and movement process and outcomes, may be assessed against the muster plan and organised by enterprise reports. (1)

Planning and organising activities
Livestock movement may be planned and co-ordinated with appropriate rest, feed and water opportunities. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Livestock movement may be planned and co-ordinated with appropriate rest, feed and water opportunities. (2)

Working with others and in teams
Team work may be applied in the communication of methods and procedures to control livestock during the mustering and movement processes. (1)

Working with others and in teams
Team work may be applied in the communication of methods and procedures to control livestock during the mustering and movement processes. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematics may be applied in the calculation of livestock numbers prior to and post-livestock muster and movement processes. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematics may be applied in the calculation of livestock numbers prior to and post-livestock muster and movement processes. (1)

Solving problems
Contingencies in the event of adverse weather conditions or uncontrolled livestock movement may be planned and prepared to minimise disruption to work schedules. (2)

Solving problems
Contingencies in the event of adverse weather conditions or uncontrolled livestock movement may be planned and prepared to minimise disruption to work schedules. (2)

Using technology
To communicate, calculate livestock numbers and record muster and movement outcomes. (1)

Using technology
To communicate, calculate livestock numbers and record muster and movement outcomes. (1)