Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 10:28 PM AWST

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Monitor pen condition and ration suitability

Monitor pen condition and ration suitability

Unit of competency
National Code
AHCLSK370
State Code
OFF01
TGA Status
Current
DTWD Status
Approved
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
11/02/2025
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
11/08/2025
Field of Education
050105 - Animal Husbandry
Original Release Date
11/08/2025
Nominal Hours
80
Description
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to monitor the suitability of rations and pen conditions for livestock.The unit applies to individuals who monitor pen condition and ration suitability under broad direction and take responsibility for their own work.All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, according to state/territory health and safety regulations, legislation and standards that apply to the workplace, and animal welfare legislation, regulations, standards and guidelines, and sustainability and biosecurity practices.In addition to legal responsibilities, all units of competency dealing with animals in the AHC Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management Training Package have the requirements for animals to be handled humanely to minimise stress and discomfort.No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Monitor ration and water levels
  • 1.1 Identify ration ingredients and composition information from workplace livestock production or feed plans
  • 1.2 Assess ration levels, composition and consistency and identify potential production and health issues for different pens and classes of livestock
  • 1.3 Identify strategies for removing wet, mouldy and fouled ration from bunks, and preventing livestock from access to unsuitable rations
  • 1.4 Assess water quantity and quality to meet requirements of livestock
2. Inspect pen status and condition
  • 2.1 Source information on pen group status from workplace livestock production plan
  • 2.2 Assess pen infrastructure, feed bunks, feed apron and water troughs together with animal feeding behaviour and identify performance and potential issues
  • 2.3 Identify strategies to control leaking troughs, and prevent livestock from access to damaged pen or feeding areas
  • 2.4 Assess pen surface conditions and behaviours of livestock in consideration of prevailing weather conditions
  • 2.5 Identify strategies for adjusting stocking density, providing access to shade, modifying pen drainage, cleaning pen and modifying the ration
3. Assess manure condition
  • 3.1 Assess manure consistency and colour as indicators of individual animal and herd health
  • 3.2 Identify strategies for increasing roughage in ration, courser processing of grains and adjusting rations for sick animals
4. Check pen hygiene
  • 4.1 Assess feed bunks, feed aprons and water troughs for fouling and unhygienic build-ups of waste
  • 4.2 Identify strategies for resolving animal production and health issues, workplace health and safety concerns, and cleaning of pens to prevent odour and insect problems
5. Report and record incidents as required
  • 5.1 Report incidents and problems to supervisor
  • 5.2 Record incidents and adopted strategies, and monitor effectiveness of strategies
No information
No information
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
BAM31 AHCLSK333 Monitor pen condition and ration suitability Unit of competency
State Code National Code Title Type
BJB3 AHC30122 Certificate III in Agriculture Qualification
BKE1 AHC33325 Certificate III in Feedlot Operations Qualification