Elements and Performance Criteria

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

What aspects of animals'
This may include weighing and condition scoring, the presence of flystrike, pregnancy toxaemia, any occurrences of abortion, identifying animals in oestrus, and the observation of general condition, animal soundness and wellbeing.

Which
Animals covered may include cows and heifers (beef and dairy cattle), ewes (sheep), alpaca, does (goats), and brood mares (horses), pigs (sows and gilts).

What relevant information may be detailed in records?
Relevant information may include current and historical details of condition and health status, feeding plan including supplementary feeding requirements, administered health treatments, pregnancy status (including estimated date of birthing, parentage identification), pedigrees, and stud book entries. Relevant information may also include the number of pregnant animals in enterprise, the number of abortions, newborn deaths, twins, multiple births, assisted births and predator attacks.

What
This may include sourcing advice and information from veterinary professionals, and the Departments of Agriculture and Primary Industries.

What
Vaccinations, drenching, and blowfly control for sheep.

Which existing and potential
Animal movement and handling, solar radiation, organic and other dusts, excessive noise, hazardous substances (veterinary chemicals), moving machinery and vehicles.

Which
Safe systems and procedures for:
animal handling including zoonoses control (Q Fever, leptospirosis)
hazard and risk control
manual handling including lifting
horse and working dog handling
the operation of motorcycles and other vehicles
handling, application and storage of hazardous substances (drenches, vaccines)
safe and environmentally correct disposal of unused prepared chemicals or medications, sharps and other contaminated items
protocols for notification of needle stick injuries
outdoor work including protection from solar radiation, dust and noise
the appropriate use and maintenance of personal protective equipment.

Which
Negative environmental impacts may result from the unsafe use and disposal of veterinarian chemicals. Impacts may also result from high concentrations of animals, particularly in holding or confined areas, causing odours, 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.

How might
This may include conducting pregnancy ultrasound scanning, or the observation of typical signs of pregnancy.

Which enterprise
This may include rejoining procedures or being run separately.

Which
Standard operating procedures (SOPs), industry standards, enterprise quality assurance manual, 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.

How might the
This may depend on the breed, weight and condition of the animals, stage of pregnancy, number of embryos, condition of pasture and weather conditions.

What might be included in a
Target weights, amount and type of feed, feed supplements or trace element nutrition requirements, feeding frequency and rates, feeding methods and procedures, weed control strategy, supervisors instructions, reporting and recording requirements.

What type of
Hay, grain, predetermined rations, trace elements, vitamins and sources of nutrients including silage, paddock feed, grain legumes, mineral blocks, protein meals, calcium and other nutrient supplements, and specific purpose feeds.

What provisions might be made for a
This may include the provision of paddocks and yards suitable to the size of the herd/flock with secure fencing, farrowing housing, the provision of a safe and predator-free environment, the provision of shelter and housing for protection against adverse weather conditions, and the availability of adequate and clean feed and water supplies.

How might animals be appropriately
Procedures may include the appropriate use of handling equipment with minimum force, a reasonable amount of time for animals to complete movement, and the use of positive and calming techniques to foster the physical and mental wellbeing of animals. Dogs may also be used to assist in the controlling and directing of animals.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this unit as a whole?
Competence in this unit requires evidence of the ability to effectively observe and report animals' condition, health and behaviour during gestation, and maintain nutritional requirements. In addition, it requires the ability to recognise and report abnormalities for remedial action and to provide a safe and secure environment for the promotion of the welfare and wellbeing of pregnant animals through to birthing. Evidence must also be demonstrated in the employment of positive environmental, safe workplace practices and humane animal handling methods.
The skills and knowledge required to monitor animals to parturition must be transferable to another rural workplace. For example, if competence is evident in providing and maintaining appropriate nutritional and environmental requirements for cows during gestation, it should also be evident in providing care for pregnant sheep and goats.

What processes should be applied to this unit of competency?
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 unit of competency.
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.
How can communication of ideas and information (1) be applied?
Animals' abnormal behaviour may be observed and accurately reported to the supervisor for remedial action.
How can information be collected, analysed and organised (1)?
Details of animals' condition and health status, gestation, and feeding routines may be observed and monitored for analysis and organised by records and reports.
How are activities planned and organised (1)?
Animal monitoring activities may be planned and organised to ensure regular and effective observation.
How can team work (1) be applied?
Team work may be applied in methods and procedures for handling animals to administer preventative health treatments.
How can the use of mathematical ideas and techniques (1) be applied?
Mathematics may be applied to calculate gestation periods, and to measure feed and feed supplements provisioning.
How can problem-solving skills (1) be applied?
Animal feeding abnormalities may require remedial action to maintain adequate nutrition ingestion.
How can the use of technology (1) be applied?
To communicate, calculate and record animal gestation data.

Are there other units of competency that could be assessed with this one?
This unit of competency could be assessed on its own or in combination with other competencies relevant to the job function.
There is essential information about