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 types of pasture may be relevant to this standard?
This may include all unimproved and improved rangelands used for grazing, temperate and tropical pastures, crop stubble, shrubs and trees, and residues that may be used for stock feed.

How may nutrient requirements be assessed?
Nutrients may include nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, calcium, magnesium, boron, molybdenum, copper and chlorine. Nutrient requirements may be assessed by tissue or soil testing.

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 requirements. It may also include consideration of the following factors:
the introduction of transgenic varieties to minimise chemical use
the industry commitment to minimise pesticide use
containing pesticides to the pesticide site
selecting pesticides with minimal environmental impact.

What information may be included in a pasture management program?
A pasture plan may include pasture species, seasonal influences, yield requirements, pasture renovation requirements to production goals, and the overall levels of weed infestations.

What factors affecting total pasture capacity may be relevant to this standard?
Factors may include climate, irrigation availability, stocking rates, soil types, pasture pests, topography, soil and plant nutrient status, paddock history, and drainage.

What grazing plans may be relevant to this standard?
This may include rotation plans, stocking rates, gazing systems, and grazing pressures.

What environmental protection strategies may be relevant to this standard?
Safe use and disposal of machinery and equipment debris and detergent waste from servicing, maintenance and cleaning procedures, strategic placing of damns, siting of stock to prevent overgrazing and erosion, and the maintaining of stable banks in streams.

What range of physical and financial records may be maintained?
This may include seed and fertiliser rates and costs, number of paddock operations and fuel costs, types of chemicals, rates and costs of applications for weed, pest and disease control, amount of irrigation water applied and application costs, weather conditions during growth, purchased labour, contracting and share-farming.

What types of pasture may be relevant to this standard?
This may include all unimproved and improved rangelands used for grazing, temperate and tropical pastures, crop stubble, shrubs and trees, and residues that may be used for stock feed.

How may nutrient requirements be assessed?
Nutrients may include nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, calcium, magnesium, boron, molybdenum, copper and chlorine. Nutrient requirements may be assessed by tissue or soil testing.

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 requirements. It may also include consideration of the following factors:
the introduction of transgenic varieties to minimise chemical use
the industry commitment to minimise pesticide use
containing pesticides to the pesticide site
selecting pesticides with minimal environmental impact.

What information may be included in a pasture management program?
A pasture plan may include pasture species, seasonal influences, yield requirements, pasture renovation requirements to production goals, and the overall levels of weed infestations.

What factors affecting total pasture capacity may be relevant to this standard?
Factors may include climate, irrigation availability, stocking rates, soil types, pasture pests, topography, soil and plant nutrient status, paddock history, and drainage.

What grazing plans may be relevant to this standard?
This may include rotation plans, stocking rates, gazing systems, and grazing pressures.

What environmental protection strategies may be relevant to this standard?
Safe use and disposal of machinery and equipment debris and detergent waste from servicing, maintenance and cleaning procedures, strategic placing of damns, siting of stock to prevent overgrazing and erosion, and the maintaining of stable banks in streams.

What range of physical and financial records may be maintained?
This may include seed and fertiliser rates and costs, number of paddock operations and fuel costs, types of chemicals, rates and costs of applications for weed, pest and disease control, amount of irrigation water applied and application costs, weather conditions during growth, purchased labour, contracting and share-farming.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in managing pastures for livestock production requires evidence of the ability to successfully implement a pasture management programs and manage resources. Evidence must be provided in evaluating the success or otherwise of pasture programs as well as the quality and sustainability of the land.
The skills and knowledge required to manage pastures for livestock production must be transferable to other rural situations. For example, this could include different pasture species, livestock production systems, environments and enterprises.
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:

land and soil conditions
pasture species and growing requirements
effects of nutrients of soil types
environmental protection strategies
safe handling processes for fertilisers
infestation patterns for different types of weed
OHS legislative requirements
relevant codes of practice, legislation and regulations relating to farm production.

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:

measure and assess quantities of fertiliser
apply environmental protection strategies in land use
set objectives and milestones
calculate costs
determine soil quality and land use capability
predict patterns of weed infestation

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:

land and soil conditions
pasture species and growing requirements
effects of nutrients of soil types
environmental protection strategies
safe handling processes for fertilisers
infestation patterns for different types of weed
OHS legislative requirements
relevant codes of practice, legislation and regulations relating to farm production.

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:

measure and assess quantities of fertiliser
apply environmental protection strategies in land use
set objectives and milestones
calculate costs
determine soil quality and land use capability
predict patterns of weed infestation

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
Presentations about the pasture management may need to be developed and presented for the benefit of staff involved in the program. (3)

Communicating ideas and information
Presentations about the pasture management may need to be developed and presented for the benefit of staff involved in the program. (3)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Information on the program may be documented and organised by reports for analysis. (3)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Information on the program may be documented and organised by reports for analysis. (3)

Planning and organising activities
Resources and materials necessary to the program may need to be scheduled to meet timetables and deadlines. (3)

Planning and organising activities
Resources and materials necessary to the program may need to be scheduled to meet timetables and deadlines. (3)

Working with others and in teams
The implementation of the plan may need input and advice from others as well as requiring the co-ordination of other staff work schedules. (3)

Working with others and in teams
The implementation of the plan may need input and advice from others as well as requiring the co-ordination of other staff work schedules. (3)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Estimation techniques may be necessary to determine the likelihood of successful outcomes of the pasture management program. (3)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Estimation techniques may be necessary to determine the likelihood of successful outcomes of the pasture management program. (3)

Solving problems
Problems may arise in the course of the program that need to be addressed through adjustments of the programs resources or timetables. (3)

Solving problems
Problems may arise in the course of the program that need to be addressed through adjustments of the programs resources or timetables. (3)

Using technology
Technology may be used to monitor and calculate the results of the program. (3)

Using technology
Technology may be used to monitor and calculate the results of the program. (3)