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 seeds may be saved?

They may be cereals, legumes, pulses, oilseeds, or pasture seeds.

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.

What measures may be taken to improve seed?

Measures taken can include removing pests and weeds, as well as enhancing the nutrients of the area. Specifically, this may include roguing of off-types and undesirable weeds, grading out weed seeds and small grains and other impurities, enhancing the nutrient levels with pre-harvest applications, and careful harvesting to prevent cracked and damaged grain.

What might the detrimental environmental impacts of saving seed be?

Persistent application of chemicals to a particular area of soil over time can lead to a change in the soil performance, and any inappropriate disposal of containers or chemicals can contaminate soils, crops and water.

What personal protective equipment might be used during the conduct of this unit?

Boots, hat/hard hat, overalls, gloves, protective eyewear, hearing protection, respirator or face mask, and sun protection (sun hat, sunscreen).

What are the OHS issues that impact on saving and storing seed?

They include safe systems and procedures for storage, handling and transportation of hazardous substances, chemicals selected taking into account toxicity levels and environmental effects, systems and procedures for the safe operation and maintenance of machinery and equipment, including hydraulics and guarding of exposed moving parts, safe manual handling systems and procedures, safe systems and procedures for outdoor work, including protection from solar radiation, selection, use and maintenance of relevant personal protective clothing and equipment, and fire risk.

Where might the requirements of the organisations current marketing requirements and direction be sourced?

They can be found in the plan itself, and through discussion with management.

Where might information regarding new varieties or trial results be found?

This information would generally be sourced informally through discussion with operators in other organisations or through media outlets. Information may also be sourced through recommendations or directly through suppliers.

For what would the seed be tested?

It might be tested for purity, germination, vigour, seed weight, and disease identification.

Where would the analysing body be?

Testing of samples would generally take place off-site by a specialist organisation which would then prepare analysis results to be used as a basis for decision-making within the organisation - at a higher level than this standard

What records would be kept, updated and maintained for saving and storing seed?

Information from each season will be useful in building a history for the organisation, and for input into subsequent years decision-making. Record keeping is essential. Records of each step along the way should be kept: results of calculations, location of the area used for seed growing, varieties used, soil types used for growing seed, seed improvement methods used, and time of harvest.

Once harvested, records need to be kept of type, condition, and length of time in storage. Also of where it is to be sown, and the origin of the seed.

Who is the appropriate person for analysis and decision-making?

This is the person who will make decisions on the production and operations planning for sowing.

Seed history may include:

Yields of parent crop, trueness to type, age, storage treatments, and pathogens in parent crop.

Seed quality may include:

Test weights per thousand grains or similar assessment, even sized grain, and nutrient enhanced grain.

Seed storage controls include:

Moisture and humidity, temperature, pesticide concentrations, and gas tightness.

Seed selection, storage, purchase and treatment procedures should:

Maintain high germination rate, minimise disease transmission on farm and between farms, and ensure pest free status of certified seed.

Conditions that maintain a high germination percentage include:

Low moisture levels, appropriate temperatures, and freedom from pests.

Seed saved has the following known features:

Trueness to type, pest status, and insect free determine seed to be saved.

What OHS guidelines might apply to the transfer of seed to the storage facility?

They might be to alert others in the organisation, including workers and family members, of planned presence of transport, putting in place systems and procedures for

the safe operation and maintenance of machinery and equipment, including hydraulics and guarding of exposed moving parts

the protection from hazardous noise

the protection from organic and other dusts

the safe systems and procedures for handling and storage of grain and seed

the protection against electrical hazards, especially over head power lines

storage, handling and transportation of hazardous substances (pesticides)

the selection, use and maintenance of relevant personal protective clothing and equipment

lifting and carrying.

Safe systems and procedures should also be in place for working in confined spaces, at height and on the grain mass.

What seeds may be saved?

They may be cereals, legumes, pulses, oilseeds, or pasture seeds.

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.

What measures may be taken to improve seed?

Measures taken can include removing pests and weeds, as well as enhancing the nutrients of the area. Specifically, this may include roguing of off-types and undesirable weeds, grading out weed seeds and small grains and other impurities, enhancing the nutrient levels with pre-harvest applications, and careful harvesting to prevent cracked and damaged grain.

What might the detrimental environmental impacts of saving seed be?

Persistent application of chemicals to a particular area of soil over time can lead to a change in the soil performance, and any inappropriate disposal of containers or chemicals can contaminate soils, crops and water.

What personal protective equipment might be used during the conduct of this unit?

Boots, hat/hard hat, overalls, gloves, protective eyewear, hearing protection, respirator or face mask, and sun protection (sun hat, sunscreen).

What are the OHS issues that impact on saving and storing seed?

They include safe systems and procedures for storage, handling and transportation of hazardous substances, chemicals selected taking into account toxicity levels and environmental effects, systems and procedures for the safe operation and maintenance of machinery and equipment, including hydraulics and guarding of exposed moving parts, safe manual handling systems and procedures, safe systems and procedures for outdoor work, including protection from solar radiation, selection, use and maintenance of relevant personal protective clothing and equipment, and fire risk.

Where might the requirements of the organisations current marketing requirements and direction be sourced?

They can be found in the plan itself, and through discussion with management.

Where might information regarding new varieties or trial results be found?

This information would generally be sourced informally through discussion with operators in other organisations or through media outlets. Information may also be sourced through recommendations or directly through suppliers.

For what would the seed be tested?

It might be tested for purity, germination, vigour, seed weight, and disease identification.

Where would the analysing body be?

Testing of samples would generally take place off-site by a specialist organisation which would then prepare analysis results to be used as a basis for decision-making within the organisation - at a higher level than this standard

What records would be kept, updated and maintained for saving and storing seed?

Information from each season will be useful in building a history for the organisation, and for input into subsequent years decision-making. Record keeping is essential. Records of each step along the way should be kept: results of calculations, location of the area used for seed growing, varieties used, soil types used for growing seed, seed improvement methods used, and time of harvest.

Once harvested, records need to be kept of type, condition, and length of time in storage. Also of where it is to be sown, and the origin of the seed.

Who is the appropriate person for analysis and decision-making?

This is the person who will make decisions on the production and operations planning for sowing.

Seed history may include:

Yields of parent crop, trueness to type, age, storage treatments, and pathogens in parent crop.

Seed quality may include:

Test weights per thousand grains or similar assessment, even sized grain, and nutrient enhanced grain.

Seed storage controls include:

Moisture and humidity, temperature, pesticide concentrations, and gas tightness.

Seed selection, storage, purchase and treatment procedures should:

Maintain high germination rate, minimise disease transmission on farm and between farms, and ensure pest free status of certified seed.

Conditions that maintain a high germination percentage include:

Low moisture levels, appropriate temperatures, and freedom from pests.

Seed saved has the following known features:

Trueness to type, pest status, and insect free determine seed to be saved.

What OHS guidelines might apply to the transfer of seed to the storage facility?

They might be to alert others in the organisation, including workers and family members, of planned presence of transport, putting in place systems and procedures for

the safe operation and maintenance of machinery and equipment, including hydraulics and guarding of exposed moving parts

the protection from hazardous noise

the protection from organic and other dusts

the safe systems and procedures for handling and storage of grain and seed

the protection against electrical hazards, especially over head power lines

storage, handling and transportation of hazardous substances (pesticides)

the selection, use and maintenance of relevant personal protective clothing and equipment

lifting and carrying.

Safe systems and procedures should also be in place for working in confined spaces, at height and on the grain mass.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in saving, preparing and storing seed requires evidence that enough quality seed is grown and stored in a hygienic environment to ensure a successful crop the following year.
The skills and knowledge required to save, prepare and store seed must be transferable to a different work environment. For example, across the range of grains grown, and in a range of different geographic environments.
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:
identification of varieties
seed treatment and cleaning measures
sources of purchased seed
inoculation treatments and seed dressings used within the organisation
records and documentation required for tracking and handling of seed
storage techniques and requirements for seed and grain
environmental controls and codes of practice applicable to the enterprise
relevant legislation and regulations relating to OHS, contractor engagement, chemical use and application, vehicle and plant use, and to the use, handling and sale of seed
sound management practices and processes to minimise noise, odours, and debris from sowing operations.

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:
select appropriate seed tests
apply pre and post-harvest treatments for seed
identify varieties from growth patterns
identify weed seeds and contaminants
identify pests in stored grain and initiate control measures
calculate volumes, capacities, areas, ratios for seed, storages, and chemicals
keep, update and maintain records relating to test results, provenance, varieties, pest control measures, and other relevant information about the seed
observe, identify and react appropriately to environmental implications and OHS hazards.

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:
identification of varieties
seed treatment and cleaning measures
sources of purchased seed
inoculation treatments and seed dressings used within the organisation
records and documentation required for tracking and handling of seed
storage techniques and requirements for seed and grain
environmental controls and codes of practice applicable to the enterprise
relevant legislation and regulations relating to OHS, contractor engagement, chemical use and application, vehicle and plant use, and to the use, handling and sale of seed
sound management practices and processes to minimise noise, odours, and debris from sowing operations.

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:
select appropriate seed tests
apply pre and post-harvest treatments for seed
identify varieties from growth patterns
identify weed seeds and contaminants
identify pests in stored grain and initiate control measures
calculate volumes, capacities, areas, ratios for seed, storages, and chemicals
keep, update and maintain records relating to test results, provenance, varieties, pest control measures, and other relevant information about the seed
observe, identify and react appropriately to environmental implications and OHS hazards.

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
In making the request for seed to be tested. (1)

Communicating ideas and information
In making the request for seed to be tested. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
By determining and calculating what seed should be used, from where, and in what quantities. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
By determining and calculating what seed should be used, from where, and in what quantities. (2)

Planning and organising activities
By transferring the seed to the storage facility and ensuring the appropriate dressings are applied to the seed. (2)

Planning and organising activities
By transferring the seed to the storage facility and ensuring the appropriate dressings are applied to the seed. (2)

Working with others and in teams
During the transfer and storage of the seed. (2)

Working with others and in teams
During the transfer and storage of the seed. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
In calculating volumes and seed amounts required. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
In calculating volumes and seed amounts required. (1)

Solving problems
In accessing as much information as possible about the requirements of the seed for the following years crop. (2)

Solving problems
In accessing as much information as possible about the requirements of the seed for the following years crop. (2)

Using technology
In operating communication technology, calculating equipment, and measuring equipment. (1)

Using technology
In operating communication technology, calculating equipment, and measuring equipment. (1)