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 type of information may be included in animal records?
Estimated date of birthing, parentage identification, pedigrees, stud book entries, nutritional requirements, feeding plan, administered health treatments, number of pregnant animals in enterprise, abortions, newborn deaths, twins/multiple births, still births, mummified foetuses, assisted births and predator attacks.

What aspects of
Weighing and condition scoring, general observation of behaviour and health soundness including feeding behaviour.

Which
Animals covered by this unit of competency may include pigs, horses, goats, alpaca, sheep, dairy and beef cattle.

How may
Animal records (estimated gestation period), and general observation of full udder, waxing of teats, running milk, unusual restlessness, relaxed muscles and ligaments under tail, flaccid vulva, 'water' bursts, appearance of amnion bag, frequent trips to the dung pile and changes in behaviour such as humming, sitting on one hip or adopting an unusual posture.

Which
Standard Operating Procedures, industry standards, production schedules, Material Safety Data Sheets, work notes, product labels, manufacturers specifications, operators manuals, enterprise policies and procedures (including waste disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines), OHS procedures, supervisors oral or written instructions, and birthing plan.

What may be involved in
Shearing and crutching (sheep/goats), application of tail bandaging (horses), monitoring of contractions, vaccinations, predator watch and control, providing calming techniques where required, moving males out of the paddock, and weaning previous young.

What may be included in a
Animal placements, penning/yarding of animals, mismothering policy, drafting policy of wet cows, human resource requirements, policy for assisting difficult births, the use of veterinary assistance, identification of newborn animals (to keep, to dispose of, to remove for artificial rearing), policy for monitoring newborn animals, and the treatment of carcasses.

What range of
Equipment may include lubricating oil, teats, binoculars, restrainers, scales, ear tags, temporary collars, marking paint, examination gloves, antiseptic and knives, digital thermometer, surgical clamps, bottles, stomach tube (for veterinary use) and colostrum replacer.
Preparation of equipment may include checks for faults and correct operation. Materials may include animal health treatments, gloves and suturing material. Resources may include staff assistance, and sourced industry information from the Departments of Agriculture/Primary Industries, veterinarians, breeding associations, and enterprise records.

Which
These may include:
safe animal handling techniques and procedures to avoid physical injury and zoonoses, including Q Fever and leptospirosis
identifying hazards, assessing and reporting risks
meeting industry standard hygiene requirements
adopting suitable precautions for outdoor work including protection from solar radiation, protection from dust, and the appropriate use of personal protective clothing and equipment.

Which potential and existing OHS
Animal movement and handling, solar radiation, organic dust, excessive noise, predator activity and adverse weather conditions.

What range of animal
Paddocks, yards or pens (cows, does, sheep and alpaca), foaling areas (horse), and farrowing crates (sows).

What range of
Adequate clean water, feed and nutrition supplies, appropriate hygienic standards, security and safety (fencing, predator activity, lamb/kid/calf proof water troughs and away from large open water sources such as dams or creeks), shelter (weather protection), shade, appropriate heating and cooling systems, control and restraint of working dogs, and minimise stress in and around birthing area. Opportunities for natural birthing should be provided wherever possible.

What
Emergency procedures in the event of bad weather and birthing difficulties requiring human intervention, such as colostrum collection and administering, assistance with birthing, resuscitation of animals and veterinarian assistance.

Which
Negative environmental impacts may result from the unsafe use and disposal of veterinary chemicals and disposable items, the loss of ground cover, increased run-off flows, soil disturbance, pugging, dust problems, weed seeds in animal manure, contamination of ground and surface water supplies, and odours as a result of high density animal activity in holding or confined areas.

What
Animal milk supply, mothering ability, non-milking teats, harmful behaviour towards newborn animals by parent, abnormal signs, prescribed medications, expulsion of afterbirth membranes, post-birthing environment conditions, and predator movement.

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 assist birthing animals and perform animal husbandry procedures. It involves the ability to monitor and record the health status of birthing animals, prepare the birthing environment and equipment to industry standards, provide appropriate nutritional requirements, minimise stress in the birthing area, humanely handle animals, monitor post-birthing animals and their newborn, and maintain enterprise records. Evidence must also be demonstrated in the employment of safe workplace and environmentally responsible practices associated with animal husbandry.
The skills involved in carrying out birthing duties with animals should be

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?
Information and ideas with regard to the birthing process and birthing difficulties may be discussed with colleagues and veterinarians.
How can information be collected, analysed and organised (1)?
Information with regard to the gestation of animals may be observed, monitored, and recorded and organised by reports.
How are activities planned and organised (1)?
Maintenance activities to the birthing environment may be planned and coordinated around feeding routines.
How can team work (1) be applied?
In the application of methods and procedures to handle animals to achieve a successful birthing.
How can the use of mathematical ideas and techniques (1) be applied?
Mathematics may be applied in the measurement of feed and water quantities, and the calculation of animal (including newborn) numbers, feed frequency rates and gestation period.
How can problem-solving skills (1) be applied?
Contingencies may be applied in the event of adverse weather conditions and birthing difficulties to ensure a successful birthing process.
How can the use of technology (1) be applied?
To access information, record information, to communicate and inform on the birthing process, to anticipate duration of gestation, and to monitor substantial weather changes.

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