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.

How might pigs condition be accurately determined?
Physical observation, condition scoring, weighing, age, and pregnancy status.

What nutritional requirements might be relevant to this standard?
Those that relate to weaned sows and may be identified from authoritative and reliable sources such as vets, books, supervisors, other farmers, government departments, feed suppliers and breed societies.

How might oestrus detection occur?
Observation of clinical signs, back pressure test, or boar test.

What OHS requirements are relevant to this standard?
Safe livestock handling systems and procedures including zoonoses control, identify hazards, assess and report risks, safe manual handling systems and procedures and the appropriate use of personal protective equipment.

What intervention might occur?
Manual assistance to ensure vulval intromission is achieved.

What suitable action may need to be taken as a result of the pregnancy test?
Re-joining where sow is not pregnant and provision of extra nutrition where appropriate if pregnant.

What hygiene procedures need to be considered?
A clean, dry, non-slip mating surface is prepared. Cleaning of pen as required.

How might pigs condition be accurately determined?
Physical observation, condition scoring, weighing, age, and pregnancy status.

What nutritional requirements might be relevant to this standard?
Those that relate to weaned sows and may be identified from authoritative and reliable sources such as vets, books, supervisors, other farmers, government departments, feed suppliers and breed societies.

How might oestrus detection occur?
Observation of clinical signs, back pressure test, or boar test.

What OHS requirements are relevant to this standard?
Safe livestock handling systems and procedures including zoonoses control, identify hazards, assess and report risks, safe manual handling systems and procedures and the appropriate use of personal protective equipment.

What intervention might occur?
Manual assistance to ensure vulval intromission is achieved.

What suitable action may need to be taken as a result of the pregnancy test?
Re-joining where sow is not pregnant and provision of extra nutrition where appropriate if pregnant.

What hygiene procedures need to be considered?
A clean, dry, non-slip mating surface is prepared. Cleaning of pen as required.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in conducting natural mating of pigs requires evidence of the ability to monitor sow's condition, revise feeding strategies, detect oestrus cycles, conduct mating, and record data.
The skills and knowledge required to conduct natural mating of pigs must be transferable to another rural workplace. For example, this could include different breeds, enterprises and workplace environments.
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:

sow conditioning
oestrus cycles
anatomy and physiology of male and female reproductive systems in pigs
factors affecting conception
pregnancy testing
pig health and abnormalities
livestock movement and behavioural characteristics
handling and assisted joining techniques
enterprise and industry identification system for livestock
personal protective equipment and when and how it should be used
relevant State/Territory legislation, regulations and codes of practice with regard to workplace OHS and animal welfare
enterprise and industry policies with regard to recording and reporting routines.

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:

accurately condition score dry sows
supervise pig mating and assist as appropriate
conduct return checks on sows
employ safe work practices
communicate effectively with other teams members, veterinarians and supervisors.

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:

sow conditioning
oestrus cycles
anatomy and physiology of male and female reproductive systems in pigs
factors affecting conception
pregnancy testing
pig health and abnormalities
livestock movement and behavioural characteristics
handling and assisted joining techniques
enterprise and industry identification system for livestock
personal protective equipment and when and how it should be used
relevant State/Territory legislation, regulations and codes of practice with regard to workplace OHS and animal welfare
enterprise and industry policies with regard to recording and reporting routines.

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:

accurately condition score dry sows
supervise pig mating and assist as appropriate
conduct return checks on sows
employ safe work practices
communicate effectively with other teams members, veterinarians and supervisors.

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
Discuss natural mating procedures and requirements with other staff and supervisors. (2)

Communicating ideas and information
Discuss natural mating procedures and requirements with other staff and supervisors. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Mating records, boar use, pregnancy test results and targets may be observed and monitored for analysis and organised by records and reports. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Mating records, boar use, pregnancy test results and targets may be observed and monitored for analysis and organised by records and reports. (2)

Planning and organising activities
May be planned to ensure that the number of sows and appropriate sires are available to meet mating targets. (2)

Planning and organising activities
May be planned to ensure that the number of sows and appropriate sires are available to meet mating targets. (2)

Working with others and in teams
Team work may be applied to ensure mating targets are met consistently. (2)

Working with others and in teams
Team work may be applied to ensure mating targets are met consistently. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematics may be applied to calculate farrowing dates and boar use. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematics may be applied to calculate farrowing dates and boar use. (2)

Solving problems
Mating may require re-joining and the infertility cause may need to be determined. (2)

Solving problems
Mating may require re-joining and the infertility cause may need to be determined. (2)

Using technology
To record data and to test for pregnancy. (2)

Using technology
To record data and to test for pregnancy. (2)