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 physical characteristics of the soil might be assessed?
Moisture content, pH levels, nutrient levels, salinity, erosion, germination rates, aggregate stability, colour, texture, structure, and pest and disease prevalence.

What natural resource issues may need to be included?
Natural resource issues may relate to stock grazing pressure, feral animals, wildlife, weeds, human impact, cultural practices, contamination, agricultural chemical drift, fire, reintroduction of native animals, legislation, management advice, and initiation of heritage agreements and other issues.

What infrastructure should be mapped?
Infrastructure may include buildings, sheds, shelters, stock yards, stock handling structures, fences, water supply systems, roads, tracks, soil conservation works, irrigation and drainage channels, silage pits and/or grain and fodder storage, and dams.

What physical characteristics of the soil might be assessed?
Moisture content, pH levels, nutrient levels, salinity, erosion, germination rates, aggregate stability, colour, texture, structure, and pest and disease prevalence.

What natural resource issues may need to be included?
Natural resource issues may relate to stock grazing pressure, feral animals, wildlife, weeds, human impact, cultural practices, contamination, agricultural chemical drift, fire, reintroduction of native animals, legislation, management advice, and initiation of heritage agreements and other issues.

What infrastructure should be mapped?
Infrastructure may include buildings, sheds, shelters, stock yards, stock handling structures, fences, water supply systems, roads, tracks, soil conservation works, irrigation and drainage channels, silage pits and/or grain and fodder storage, and dams.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in developing a whole farm plan requires evidence that business objectives and plans, and plans for sustainable land management and production have been integrated and documented. The whole farm plan must incorporate relevant data such as results from a natural resources audit and build on and contribute to other plans, such as the business plan, human resources plan and risk management plan.
The skills and knowledge required to develop a whole farm plan must be transferable to a different work environment. For example, across a range of production types and processes.
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:

SWOT analysis
sustainable land management practices
property planning processes and approaches
land capability
water, vegetation, soil, fire and wildlife management strategies
legal requirements impacting on whole farm planning
risk management.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

determine directions for the business
audit the natural resources of the property
monitor legal requirements impacting on the management of the property
develop management strategies to address natural resource management issues.

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:

SWOT analysis
sustainable land management practices
property planning processes and approaches
land capability
water, vegetation, soil, fire and wildlife management strategies
legal requirements impacting on whole farm planning
risk management.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

determine directions for the business
audit the natural resources of the property
monitor legal requirements impacting on the management of the property
develop management strategies to address natural resource management issues.

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 be can applied through the development of whole farm plans. (3)

Communicating ideas and information
Communication of ideas and information be can applied through the development of whole farm plans. (3)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Information can be collected, analysed and organised in accordance with whole farm planning processes. (3)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Information can be collected, analysed and organised in accordance with whole farm planning processes. (3)

Planning and organising activities
Activities are planned and organised in accordance with whole farm planning processes. (3)

Planning and organising activities
Activities are planned and organised in accordance with whole farm planning processes. (3)

Working with others and in teams
Team work can be applied during the development of whole farm plans. (2)

Working with others and in teams
Team work can be applied during the development of whole farm plans. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
The use of mathematical ideas and techniques can be applied when collecting and using primary data about farm resources. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
The use of mathematical ideas and techniques can be applied when collecting and using primary data about farm resources. (2)

Solving problems
Problem-solving skills can be applied in solving complexities in the analysis and decision-making process. (2)

Solving problems
Problem-solving skills can be applied in solving complexities in the analysis and decision-making process. (2)

Using technology
The use of technology can be applied by using appropriate data collection and storage technology. (2)

Using technology
The use of technology can be applied by using appropriate data collection and storage technology. (2)