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 livestock may be prepared for shearing?
Livestock may include sheep, goats and alpacas.

What information may be included in a shearing plan?
Information may include the location and identity of livestock, mustering and movement instructions and procedures, the number of livestock to be shorn, grouping of livestock to be yarded, culling instructions, livestock preparation procedures, equipment and resource requirements, contingency plan, enterprise instructions, and reporting requirements. A contingency plan may be implemented in the event of adverse weather conditions, which may require shedding or providing a sheltered environment for livestock.

What determinations may be involved in sorting livestock prior to shearing?
Sorting cashmere goats pre-shearing may involve either drafting for colour (and limiting the number of lines to be classed), or the separation of all the apparently white animals to prevent contamination by pigmented fibre of a pure white line of cashmere. Sheep may be drafted according to age, sex, breed or line, or previous feed.

Why are livestock yarded prior to shearing?
Livestock are yarded to allow emptying out, which requires about 12 hours without access to feed.

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.

What potential and existing hazards may be associated with shearing activities?
Hazards may include livestock movement and handling, damaged yards, obstacles and uneven ground. It may also include exposure of handlers to hazardous substances such as pesticides used for ectoparasite control.

What OHS requirements may be applicable to this standard?
Safe systems and procedures for:
operation of crutching and shearing equipment
hazard and risk control
handling livestock including zoonoses control
manual handling, including lifting and carrying
fleece handling and harvesting
protection from electrical hazards, hazardous noise and organic and other dusts
outdoor work including protection from solar radiation
appropriate use of personal protective equipment.

What personal protective equipment may be relevant to this standard?
Boots, overalls, gloves, protective eyewear, hearing protection, respirator or face mask, and sun protection (sun hat, sunscreen).

How might stained fleece be identified?
This may include fleece or fibres, which have been stained by faeces or urine.

What suitable shelter might be provided for livestock?
Sufficient protection from adverse weather conditions may be provided by the existence of large rocks or clumps of trees. In the absence of natural resources, shelter may be provided by the construction of artificial shelters (corrugated iron, large bales of hay to form a wall) to prevent weather damage, sweating or smothering of livestock.

What conditions may be identified in determining the health status of livestock?
Health status may include evidence of pregnancy, footrot and various communicable diseases to prevent the spread of sickness, disease or death at shearing.

What environmental implications may be associated with shearing activities?
Negative environmental impacts may result from high density livestock activity, particularly in holding or confined areas, causing increased run-off flows, loss of ground cover, soil disturbance, pugging, dust problems, weed seeds in animal manure, and contamination of ground and surface water supplies.

What types of livestock may be prepared for shearing?
Livestock may include sheep, goats and alpacas.

What information may be included in a shearing plan?
Information may include the location and identity of livestock, mustering and movement instructions and procedures, the number of livestock to be shorn, grouping of livestock to be yarded, culling instructions, livestock preparation procedures, equipment and resource requirements, contingency plan, enterprise instructions, and reporting requirements. A contingency plan may be implemented in the event of adverse weather conditions, which may require shedding or providing a sheltered environment for livestock.

What determinations may be involved in sorting livestock prior to shearing?
Sorting cashmere goats pre-shearing may involve either drafting for colour (and limiting the number of lines to be classed), or the separation of all the apparently white animals to prevent contamination by pigmented fibre of a pure white line of cashmere. Sheep may be drafted according to age, sex, breed or line, or previous feed.

Why are livestock yarded prior to shearing?
Livestock are yarded to allow emptying out, which requires about 12 hours without access to feed.

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.

What potential and existing hazards may be associated with shearing activities?
Hazards may include livestock movement and handling, damaged yards, obstacles and uneven ground. It may also include exposure of handlers to hazardous substances such as pesticides used for ectoparasite control.

What OHS requirements may be applicable to this standard?
Safe systems and procedures for:
operation of crutching and shearing equipment
hazard and risk control
handling livestock including zoonoses control
manual handling, including lifting and carrying
fleece handling and harvesting
protection from electrical hazards, hazardous noise and organic and other dusts
outdoor work including protection from solar radiation
appropriate use of personal protective equipment.

What personal protective equipment may be relevant to this standard?
Boots, overalls, gloves, protective eyewear, hearing protection, respirator or face mask, and sun protection (sun hat, sunscreen).

How might stained fleece be identified?
This may include fleece or fibres, which have been stained by faeces or urine.

What suitable shelter might be provided for livestock?
Sufficient protection from adverse weather conditions may be provided by the existence of large rocks or clumps of trees. In the absence of natural resources, shelter may be provided by the construction of artificial shelters (corrugated iron, large bales of hay to form a wall) to prevent weather damage, sweating or smothering of livestock.

What conditions may be identified in determining the health status of livestock?
Health status may include evidence of pregnancy, footrot and various communicable diseases to prevent the spread of sickness, disease or death at shearing.

What environmental implications may be associated with shearing activities?
Negative environmental impacts may result from high density livestock activity, particularly in holding or confined areas, causing increased run-off flows, loss of ground cover, soil disturbance, pugging, dust problems, weed seeds in animal manure, and contamination of ground and surface water supplies.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in preparing livestock for shearing requires evidence of the ability to care for and handle livestock in preparation for shearing operations. It also requires the ability to identify pigmented fleece, carry out drenching procedures, dispose of contaminated fleece, maintain the nutritional and environmental requirements of livestock, and monitor livestock health and condition for abnormalities or sickness. Evidence must also be demonstrated in the employment of safe workplace and positive environmental practices.
The skills and knowledge required to prepare livestock for shearing must be transferable to a different work environment. For example, this may include different breeds, enterprises, wool types and conditions.
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:

types and purposes of shearing boards, yards and catching pens
components and functions of shearing, cleaning and drenching equipment
handling, mustering and movement techniques
livestock breeds, nutritional and hygiene requirements
livestock diseases and treatments
quality management systems for fleece/fibre
fleece contaminants and types of pigmentation faults
environmental codes of practice with regard to livestock production
OHS and animal welfare legislative requirements
National codes of practice for the Shearing Industry (Health, Safety and Welfare standards).

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:

select equipment appropriate to crutching and shearing tasks
organise crutching and shearing operations
detect and anticipate disease or nutritional disorders
critically observe and monitor livestock health and condition
organise feed and water supplies
avoid and remove contamination of fleece
handle livestock with due care
demonstrate safe and environmentally responsible workplace practices
read and interpret MSDS, manufacturers specifications and shearing plan requirements
communicate verbally with work team and manager, comprehend and apply task instructions
calculate livestock numbers, and measure dosage and feed requirements.

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:

types and purposes of shearing boards, yards and catching pens
components and functions of shearing, cleaning and drenching equipment
handling, mustering and movement techniques
livestock breeds, nutritional and hygiene requirements
livestock diseases and treatments
quality management systems for fleece/fibre
fleece contaminants and types of pigmentation faults
environmental codes of practice with regard to livestock production
OHS and animal welfare legislative requirements
National codes of practice for the Shearing Industry (Health, Safety and Welfare standards).

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:

select equipment appropriate to crutching and shearing tasks
organise crutching and shearing operations
detect and anticipate disease or nutritional disorders
critically observe and monitor livestock health and condition
organise feed and water supplies
avoid and remove contamination of fleece
handle livestock with due care
demonstrate safe and environmentally responsible workplace practices
read and interpret MSDS, manufacturers specifications and shearing plan requirements
communicate verbally with work team and manager, comprehend and apply task instructions
calculate livestock numbers, and measure dosage and feed requirements.

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
Information with regard to organising livestock for yarding and crutching may be discussed with the manager and work team. (1)

Communicating ideas and information
Information with regard to organising livestock for yarding and crutching may be discussed with the manager and work team. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Information with regard to shearing requirements may be identified in the shearing plan, implemented accordingly, and outcomes recorded for analysis. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Information with regard to shearing requirements may be identified in the shearing plan, implemented accordingly, and outcomes recorded for analysis. (1)

Planning and organising activities
Crutching or drenching of livestock is planned and implemented prior to shearing operations. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Crutching or drenching of livestock is planned and implemented prior to shearing operations. (2)

Working with others and in teams
Team work may be applied in the efficient preparation of livestock to prevent disruption to shearing schedules. (1)

Working with others and in teams
Team work may be applied in the efficient preparation of livestock to prevent disruption to shearing schedules. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematics may be applied in the calculation of livestock and respective feed and water requirements. It may also be used to calculate and measure drenching applications. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematics may be applied in the calculation of livestock and respective feed and water requirements. It may also be used to calculate and measure drenching applications. (1)

Solving problems
Problems of adverse weather conditions may be resolved by the provision of suitable shelter for livestock. (1)

Solving problems
Problems of adverse weather conditions may be resolved by the provision of suitable shelter for livestock. (1)

Using technology
Technology may be used to communicate, and calculate measurements and capacities. (1)

Using technology
Technology may be used to communicate, and calculate measurements and capacities. (1)