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 may be involved in maintaining milk quality?
This may include maintaining milk within the required temperature range, the implementation of hygiene procedures to prevent cross-infection, and tracing and solving causes of poor milk quality.

What resources and equipment may be required?
These may include:
milk harvesting equipment
milk cooling and refrigeration equipment
emergency power supply
yard washing equipment
waste management system equipment
feeding equipment
dairy herd drenching equipment
teat spray equipment
hot water service
fly control systems.

What information may be included in an enterprise milking policy?
A milking policy may relate to am and pm times of milking, cattle handling to the dairy and during milking, milking procedures, speed of milking, udder washing and preparation, udder and teat checking and treatment, animal observation and identification for special treatment, general hygiene in relation to milk quality, herd health and operator health.

What enterprise requirements may be applicable?
SOP, industry standards, production schedules, MSDS, work notes and plans, product labels, manufacturers specifications, operators manuals, and enterprise policies and procedures (including waste disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines).

How might milking systems vary?
Milking systems may be either manual or automatic.

What OHS requirements may be relevant to this standard?
Safe systems and procedures for:
the operation and maintenance of machinery and equipment including hydraulics and guarding of moving exposed machine parts
livestock handling including zoonosis and leptospirosis control
the protection against electrical hazards
handling hot water and protection from scalds
outdoor work including protection from solar radiation
use of relevant personal protective equipment
use of chemical and biological agents.

How might livestock health and condition be assessed?
Assessment may be by direct observation of general health and soundness, checks of performance, and inspection of livestock records.

What working areas and equipment may be cleaned?
This may include milk harvesting equipment, milk cooling and refrigeration equipment, yards and pens.

What may be involved in maintaining milk quality?
This may include maintaining milk within the required temperature range, the implementation of hygiene procedures to prevent cross-infection, and tracing and solving causes of poor milk quality.

What resources and equipment may be required?
These may include:
milk harvesting equipment
milk cooling and refrigeration equipment
emergency power supply
yard washing equipment
waste management system equipment
feeding equipment
dairy herd drenching equipment
teat spray equipment
hot water service
fly control systems.

What information may be included in an enterprise milking policy?
A milking policy may relate to am and pm times of milking, cattle handling to the dairy and during milking, milking procedures, speed of milking, udder washing and preparation, udder and teat checking and treatment, animal observation and identification for special treatment, general hygiene in relation to milk quality, herd health and operator health.

What enterprise requirements may be applicable?
SOP, industry standards, production schedules, MSDS, work notes and plans, product labels, manufacturers specifications, operators manuals, and enterprise policies and procedures (including waste disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines).

How might milking systems vary?
Milking systems may be either manual or automatic.

What OHS requirements may be relevant to this standard?
Safe systems and procedures for:
the operation and maintenance of machinery and equipment including hydraulics and guarding of moving exposed machine parts
livestock handling including zoonosis and leptospirosis control
the protection against electrical hazards
handling hot water and protection from scalds
outdoor work including protection from solar radiation
use of relevant personal protective equipment
use of chemical and biological agents.

How might livestock health and condition be assessed?
Assessment may be by direct observation of general health and soundness, checks of performance, and inspection of livestock records.

What working areas and equipment may be cleaned?
This may include milk harvesting equipment, milk cooling and refrigeration equipment, yards and pens.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in co-ordinating milking operations requires evidence of the ability to co-ordinate the operational functions of a dairy to ensure maximum sustainable returns to the enterprise. It also requires the ability to recognise and rectify machinery malfunctions, schedule milking operations, conduct livestock testing, participate in livestock recording programs, implement drying off programs according to livestock health strategy, and maintain costs within enterprise budgetary constraints. Evidence must also be demonstrated in the implementation of safe workplace and positive environmental practices.
The skills and knowledge required to coordinate milking operations must be transferable to a different work environment. For example, this may involve different animals, milking sheds, routines and enterprise policies.
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:

functions and controls of the components of milk harvesting, cooling and refrigeration, and ancillary equipment
mechanical operation of a milking plant and the steps necessary for operation
industry standards and relevant codes of practice with regard to milking operations
procedures for testing milk quality
causes of poor milk quality
type and control of health problems in dairy cattle including mastitis prevention
factors impacting on livestock stress and minimisation procedures
water quality and affecting factors
hygiene requirements and cleaning systems used for milking equipment
relevant OHS legislation, regulations and codes of practice
livestock behaviour and nutritional requirements
lactation in livestock and effect of body reserves, and dietary energy intake on lactation
milk quality tests.

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:

determine machinery maintenance requirements
schedule and arrange resources
maintain satisfactory milk quality
analyse and interpret livestock testing data
monitor livestock health and identify health problems
anticipate emergencies and remove hazards in the workplace
interpret and use written and oral information
implement strict standards of hygiene.

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:

functions and controls of the components of milk harvesting, cooling and refrigeration, and ancillary equipment
mechanical operation of a milking plant and the steps necessary for operation
industry standards and relevant codes of practice with regard to milking operations
procedures for testing milk quality
causes of poor milk quality
type and control of health problems in dairy cattle including mastitis prevention
factors impacting on livestock stress and minimisation procedures
water quality and affecting factors
hygiene requirements and cleaning systems used for milking equipment
relevant OHS legislation, regulations and codes of practice
livestock behaviour and nutritional requirements
lactation in livestock and effect of body reserves, and dietary energy intake on lactation
milk quality tests.

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:

determine machinery maintenance requirements
schedule and arrange resources
maintain satisfactory milk quality
analyse and interpret livestock testing data
monitor livestock health and identify health problems
anticipate emergencies and remove hazards in the workplace
interpret and use written and oral information
implement strict standards of hygiene.

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
Ideas and information with regard to operational procedures may be discussed with the industry network. (2)

Communicating ideas and information
Ideas and information with regard to operational procedures may be discussed with the industry network. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Information with regard to production and milk quality may be detailed and organised by reports for analysis. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Information with regard to production and milk quality may be detailed and organised by reports for analysis. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Maintenance and cleaning activities may be planned and co-ordinated with milking routines or sequenced as required. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Maintenance and cleaning activities may be planned and co-ordinated with milking routines or sequenced as required. (2)

Working with others and in teams
Team work may be applied in methods and procedures to maintain budgets and achieve production requirements. (2)

Working with others and in teams
Team work may be applied in methods and procedures to maintain budgets and achieve production requirements. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematical techniques may be applied to calculate yield and production. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematical techniques may be applied to calculate yield and production. (2)

Solving problems
Machinery and equipment malfunctions will need to be arranged for repair or replacement to prevent disruption to milking schedules. (2)

Solving problems
Machinery and equipment malfunctions will need to be arranged for repair or replacement to prevent disruption to milking schedules. (2)

Using technology
Technology may be used to communicate, measure and record information. (2)

Using technology
Technology may be used to communicate, measure and record information. (2)