Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 2:07 PM AWST
22/07/2026 2:07 PM 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.
Manage forage conservation
Manage forage conservation
Unit of competency
National Code
AHCBAC502A
AHCBAC502A
State Code
D6727
D6727
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
16/09/2013
Field of Education
050901 - Land, Parks And Wildlife Management
Original Release Date
16/09/2013
Nominal Hours
120
Description
This unit covers managing forage conservation and defines the standard required to: assess cost benefit and forage conservation options; select appropriate forage conservation method; select suitable forage conservation machinery; oversee harvest, forage preparation and storage; record work activities.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan for forage conservation
- 1.1. Determine the resource needs and end use requirements of forage conservation in the farm production system.
- 1.2. Define forage conservation options and cost benefit.
- 1.3. Select appropriate paddocks for forage conservation with regard to species selection and target growth stage.
- 1.4. Select appropriate forage conservation machinery, equipment and personal protective equipment in accordance with manufacturer's specifications, Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements and industry practice.
- 1.5. Ensure safe access to paddocks for harvesting and transport machinery.
- 1.6. Plan and prepare storage facility/system for selected forage conservation method.
- 1.7. Identify and minimise potential environmental impacts of forage conservation activities.
- 1.8. Negotiate contracts and costs including crop inputs, machinery, harvest area and storage sites where applicable.
- 1.9. Communicate details of work activities with workers and/or contractors where applicable.
2. Prepare paddocks for forage conservation
- 2.1. Identify need for fertiliser, irrigation, weed control and grazing or slashing before closing paddock to stock at appropriate time.
- 2.2. Identify optimum time for harvest of key species.
- 2.3. Monitor and control weeds, pests and diseases.
3. Oversee forage harvesting operations
- 3.1. Establish dry matter targets for the selected method of forage conservation.
- 3.2. Monitor seasonal and current weather conditions to determine optimum time for harvest and to ensure quality.
- 3.3. Assess condition and dry matter content of the crop throughout the harvesting operation.
- 3.4. Select harvesting and conditioning machinery based on weather conditions and forage drying targets.
- 3.5. Ensure that harvesting activities are conducted in a safe, controlled and efficient manner.
- 3.6. Ensure that baling, wrapping, compacting, sealing and/or storage of forage is in accordance with storage plan.
- 3.7. Ensure that forage is safely loaded, transported and stored in accordance with OHS and quality requirements and to minimise spoilage and the risk of combustion.
4. Complete operation
- 4.1. Complete records in accordance with quality assurance requirements and industry practice.
- 4.2. Ensure waste and debris is disposed of to minimise environmental impact.
- 4.3. Ensure that machinery and ancillary equipment is cleaned and serviced in accordance with manufacturer's specifications, OHS requirements and industry practice.
- 4.4. Conduct quality checks on stored forage.
- 4.5. Monitor and minimise environmental impacts of forage conservation activities including concentration of nutrients at field out areas and effluent run-off.
RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.
Forage conservation methods may include:
hay
silage
haylage
green chop.
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.
Forage conservation methods may include:
hay
silage
haylage
green chop.
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:
assess cost benefit and forage conservation options
select appropriate forage conservation method
select suitable forage conservation machinery
oversee harvest, forage preparation and storage
record work activities.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.
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:
assess cost benefit and forage conservation options
select appropriate forage conservation method
select suitable forage conservation machinery
oversee harvest, forage preparation and storage
record work activities.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| BAT20 | AHCBAC502 | Manage forage conservation | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D513 | AHC50110 | Diploma of Agriculture | Qualification |