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 criteria may be used to select livestock for breeding purposes?
Selection criteria will vary according to animals farmed and production/breeding strategies. Objective and subjective criteria may include size, age, breed, teeth for age and deformity, general appearance and condition, estimated breeding value (EBV), colour, temperament, disease susceptibility, flesh colour, percentage deformity, percentage mal-pigmentation, sex growth rate, body weight, breeding history, growth rate, milk production and milk quality, style and character of wool/fibre, colour of fleece and greasy fleece weight.

What relevant information might be recorded and reported?
Livestock numbers, details of administered preventative health treatments and outcomes, appraisal results, back fat test results, conformation, temperament and performance details, weight and condition scoring, estimated breeding value (EBV), and any observed abnormalities.

What animals may be relevant to this standard?
Animals may include beef and dairy cattle, pigs, horses, goats and sheep.

What criteria may determine the carrying out of culling and replacement practices?
Criteria for culling and replacement will vary according to animals farmed and production/breeding strategies. This may include age, size, fertility history, conformation, skeletal faults, temperament, body weight, mean wool/fibre diameter, presence of medullated wools/fibres, low fleece yield or weight, fleece rot, pigmentation, body strike and colour, body weight, butter fat/milk yield, growth rate, and chronic disorders. Culling rates will vary according to the production profile of the herd, affordability and availability of replacement stock and other factors.

What type of tests may be conducted?
Testing may be carried out to determine fertility, pH, trace elements, specifications, spot colour appearance, calorimetry, optical, wether tail, nutritional intake, and history.

How might information be documented?
Record keeping systems used may be either paper-based or digital, and information will be recorded into logbooks or other records.

What criteria may be used to select livestock for breeding purposes?
Selection criteria will vary according to animals farmed and production/breeding strategies. Objective and subjective criteria may include size, age, breed, teeth for age and deformity, general appearance and condition, estimated breeding value (EBV), colour, temperament, disease susceptibility, flesh colour, percentage deformity, percentage mal-pigmentation, sex growth rate, body weight, breeding history, growth rate, milk production and milk quality, style and character of wool/fibre, colour of fleece and greasy fleece weight.

What relevant information might be recorded and reported?
Livestock numbers, details of administered preventative health treatments and outcomes, appraisal results, back fat test results, conformation, temperament and performance details, weight and condition scoring, estimated breeding value (EBV), and any observed abnormalities.

What animals may be relevant to this standard?
Animals may include beef and dairy cattle, pigs, horses, goats and sheep.

What criteria may determine the carrying out of culling and replacement practices?
Criteria for culling and replacement will vary according to animals farmed and production/breeding strategies. This may include age, size, fertility history, conformation, skeletal faults, temperament, body weight, mean wool/fibre diameter, presence of medullated wools/fibres, low fleece yield or weight, fleece rot, pigmentation, body strike and colour, body weight, butter fat/milk yield, growth rate, and chronic disorders. Culling rates will vary according to the production profile of the herd, affordability and availability of replacement stock and other factors.

What type of tests may be conducted?
Testing may be carried out to determine fertility, pH, trace elements, specifications, spot colour appearance, calorimetry, optical, wether tail, nutritional intake, and history.

How might information be documented?
Record keeping systems used may be either paper-based or digital, and information will be recorded into logbooks or other records.

Competence in identifying and selecting animals for breeding requires evidence of the ability to determine criteria for performance selection, and to identify and select animals according to those criteria.
The skills and knowledge required to identify and select animals for breeding must be transferable to a different work environment. For example, across a range of different animal breeds and classes.
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:

environmental codes of practice with regard to livestock production
market requirements and gradings applied by different markets
selection criteria to be applied
genetics, pedigree and bloodlines
organisational selection criteria for breeding stock.

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:

develop selection criteria for a breeding program
record performance information
recognise livestock abnormalities.

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:

environmental codes of practice with regard to livestock production
market requirements and gradings applied by different markets
selection criteria to be applied
genetics, pedigree and bloodlines
organisational selection criteria for breeding stock.

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:

develop selection criteria for a breeding program
record performance information
recognise livestock abnormalities.

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
Communication of ideas and information can be applied in developing breeding criteria and a breeding program. (2)

Communicating ideas and information
Communication of ideas and information can be applied in developing breeding criteria and a breeding program. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Information can be collected, analysed and organised when recording selection criteria and livestock performance records. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Information can be collected, analysed and organised when recording selection criteria and livestock performance records. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Activities are planned and organised through workplace meetings and reporting procedures. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Activities are planned and organised through workplace meetings and reporting procedures. (2)

Working with others and in teams
Teamwork can be applied when collecting information about performance. (2)

Working with others and in teams
Teamwork can be applied when collecting information about performance. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematical ideas and techniques can be applied when determining selection criteria based on performance records. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematical ideas and techniques can be applied when determining selection criteria based on performance records. (2)

Solving problems
Problem-solving skills can be applied in determining selection criteria for a breeding program. (2)

Solving problems
Problem-solving skills can be applied in determining selection criteria for a breeding program. (2)

Using technology
Technology can be used to communicate, gather and record livestock performance data. (2)

Using technology
Technology can be used to communicate, gather and record livestock performance data. (2)