Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 4:19 AM AWST
22/07/2026 4:19 AM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Monitor pen condition and ration suitability
Monitor pen condition and ration suitability
Unit of competency
National Code
AHCLSK333A
AHCLSK333A
State Code
D6978
D6978
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
24/06/2014
Field of Education
050105 - Animal Husbandry
Original Release Date
24/06/2014
Nominal Hours
80
Description
This unit covers the processes required to monitor the ration available to livestock and pen conditions associated with feeding livestock and defines the standards required to: monitor ration and water available to animals and refer to the livestock production and/or ration plan for intervention strategies; inspect pen status and refer to the livestock production and or ration plan for intervention strategies; assess manure condition and refer to livestock production ration plan for intervention strategies; observe pen conditions considering weather and refer to feedlot management and or ration plan for intervention strategies; check pen hygiene conditions for ration spillages, insect activity, moisture and refer to livestock production and or maintenance plan for intervention strategies; monitor intervention effectiveness; record intervention and make improvements to livestock production plans where necessary.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Monitor ration and water levels
- 1.1. Information on ration ingredients and composition is sourced from the livestock production and/or feed plans.
- 1.2. Ration levels, composition and consistency are assessed and potential production and health issues identified for different pens and classes of livestock.
- 1.3. Strategies are identified for emptying wet, mouldy and fouled ration from bunks; exclusion of animals from inappropriate rations.
- 1.4. Water quantity and quality are assessed to meet animal requirements.
2. Inspect pen status and condition
- 2.1. Information on pen group status is sourced from the livestock production plan.
- 2.2. Pen infrastructure including feed bunks, feed apron and water troughs are assessed together with animal feeding behaviour and performance and potential issues are identified.
- 2.3. Strategies are identified to address control of leaking troughs; exclusion of animals from damaged bunk and apron area if necessary.
- 2.4. Pen surface conditions and animal behaviour are assessed in consideration with prevailing weather conditions.
- 2.5. Strategies are identified for increasing or decreasing stock density, provision of access to shade, pen drainage or cleaning and ration modification.
3. Assess manure condition
- 3.1. Manure consistency and colour is assessed and potential production and health issues identified for different pens and classes of livestock.
- 3.2. Strategies are identified for including increased roughage in ration, courser processing of grain and observation and treatment of sick animals if necessary.
4. Check Pen Hygiene
- 4.1. Feed bunks, aprons and water troughs are assessed for fouling and unhygienic build up waste.
- 4.2. Strategies are identified for resolving animal production and health issues and worker Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) concerns, including cleaning of area to prevent odour and insect problems.
5. Report and record incidents as required
- 5.1. Reporting of incidents and potential problems to supervisor as per feedlot guidelines.
- 5.2. Recording and monitoring effectiveness of strategy adopted.
RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.
Animals may include:
beef cattle
dairy cattle
sheep
goats.
Feedlots may include:
sheds
pens etc.
Enterprises may include:
large scale
fully automated
small scale
manually operated.
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.
Animals may include:
beef cattle
dairy cattle
sheep
goats.
Feedlots may include:
sheds
pens etc.
Enterprises may include:
large scale
fully automated
small scale
manually operated.
EVIDENCE GUIDE
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.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:
interpret and apply feeding instructions and consumption requirements
relate livestock performance data to ration consistency
interpret and apply task instructions and communicate with work team and supervisor
implement standard operating procedures
monitor animal health status and refer to the production plan for intervention strategies
determine the type and scope of treatment
monitor animals for treatment effectiveness
document and record procedures for animal feeding.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Competency requires the application of safe work practices under enterprise conditions. Selection and use of resources for worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.
Method of assessment
This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units. The assessment strategy for this unit must verify required knowledge, skill and application using more than one of the following assessment methods: demonstration, practical skills assessment, oral/written questions, professional conversations, direct observation, third-party evidence, case study analysis, role play, simulations, presentations, performance audit, written assignment, portfolio, and examinations.
Guidance information for assessment
Evidence should be gathered over a period of time in a range of actual or simulated environments.
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.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:
interpret and apply feeding instructions and consumption requirements
relate livestock performance data to ration consistency
interpret and apply task instructions and communicate with work team and supervisor
implement standard operating procedures
monitor animal health status and refer to the production plan for intervention strategies
determine the type and scope of treatment
monitor animals for treatment effectiveness
document and record procedures for animal feeding.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Competency requires the application of safe work practices under enterprise conditions. Selection and use of resources for worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.
Method of assessment
This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units. The assessment strategy for this unit must verify required knowledge, skill and application using more than one of the following assessment methods: demonstration, practical skills assessment, oral/written questions, professional conversations, direct observation, third-party evidence, case study analysis, role play, simulations, presentations, performance audit, written assignment, portfolio, and examinations.
Guidance information for assessment
Evidence should be gathered over a period of time in a range of actual or simulated environments.
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| BAM31 | AHCLSK333 | Monitor pen condition and ration suitability | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D467 | AHC30110 | Certificate III in Agriculture | Qualification |
| D499 | AHC33311 | Certificate III in Feedlot Operations | Qualification |