Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range of Variables explains the contexts within which the performance and knowledge requirements of this standard may be assessed. The scope of variables chosen in training and assessment requirements may depend on the work situations available.

What measurements are taken during wet testing?
Wet tests may include an evaluation of vacuum level and vacuum drop in clusters, vacuum drop across components, threshold milk flow for automatic cluster removers or measurement of liquid discharge rate from a releaser milk pump.

What sort of problems will necessitate wet testing?
Wet testing procedures will be used as a diagnostic tool in the investigation of problems such as slow milking, excessive cup-slip or clusters falling off.

What testing equipment is required?
Testing equipment may include vacuum recorder, manometer or vacuum gauge, hypodermic needles and a range of rubber tubing and plugs to suit the installation. An artificial udder may also be used for some tests.

What are the standards applicable to the testing of milking equipment?
Performance testing will be carried out in line with industry-established procedures and recorded on test report forms developed by the industry.
All milking equipment testing will be carried out in line with the provisions of the ISO Standards for
Performance testing of milking equipment will be based on the recommendations of the International Dairy Federation Expert Committee A32: 1999 and the IDF Standing Committee on Farm Management (Guidelines for the test of the flow capacity of the milking unit).

What sort of tests will be carried out with milking-time testing?
Milking-time tests may include:
mean vacuum and vacuum fluctuations in the milkline
mean vacuum and vacuum fluctuations in or near the receiver
mean vacuum and vacuum drop in the claw (or in the short milk tube or at teat-end) during peak milk flow while milking a representative sample of cows.
Wet tests will be completed under simulated milking conditions, either as a bench test or in a milking shed. An artificial udder may also be used for these tests. Milking-time tests will always be completed in a milking shed while cows are being milked.

Are there industry professionals other than milking machine technicians involved in the performance testing of milking equipment?
The diagnosis and solving of milk harvesting problems and the completion of milking performance investigations may include partnerships between any or all of the following groups: milking machine technicians, veterinarians, dairy factory field officers, herd test personnel, detergent and chemical company representatives, original equipment manufacturers representatives, regulatory authority personnel, dairy farmer or share farmer.

What are the OHS implications inherent in the performance of this unit?
Procedures to identify OHS hazards, assess risks, establish safe systems of work and complete OHS risk assessment records .

What are the environmental implications of the performance of this unit?
None other than the occasional disposal of hypodermic needles used for the connection of vacuum recording equipment to the milking system.

What measurements are taken during wet testing?
Wet tests may include an evaluation of vacuum level and vacuum drop in clusters, vacuum drop across components, threshold milk flow for automatic cluster removers or measurement of liquid discharge rate from a releaser milk pump.

What sort of problems will necessitate wet testing?
Wet testing procedures will be used as a diagnostic tool in the investigation of problems such as slow milking, excessive cup-slip or clusters falling off.

What testing equipment is required?
Testing equipment may include vacuum recorder, manometer or vacuum gauge, hypodermic needles and a range of rubber tubing and plugs to suit the installation. An artificial udder may also be used for some tests.

What are the standards applicable to the testing of milking equipment?
Performance testing will be carried out in line with industry-established procedures and recorded on test report forms developed by the industry.
All milking equipment testing will be carried out in line with the provisions of the ISO Standards for
Performance testing of milking equipment will be based on the recommendations of the International Dairy Federation Expert Committee A32: 1999 and the IDF Standing Committee on Farm Management (Guidelines for the test of the flow capacity of the milking unit).

What sort of tests will be carried out with milking-time testing?
Milking-time tests may include:
mean vacuum and vacuum fluctuations in the milkline
mean vacuum and vacuum fluctuations in or near the receiver
mean vacuum and vacuum drop in the claw (or in the short milk tube or at teat-end) during peak milk flow while milking a representative sample of cows.
Wet tests will be completed under simulated milking conditions, either as a bench test or in a milking shed. An artificial udder may also be used for these tests. Milking-time tests will always be completed in a milking shed while cows are being milked.

Are there industry professionals other than milking machine technicians involved in the performance testing of milking equipment?
The diagnosis and solving of milk harvesting problems and the completion of milking performance investigations may include partnerships between any or all of the following groups: milking machine technicians, veterinarians, dairy factory field officers, herd test personnel, detergent and chemical company representatives, original equipment manufacturers representatives, regulatory authority personnel, dairy farmer or share farmer.

What are the OHS implications inherent in the performance of this unit?
Procedures to identify OHS hazards, assess risks, establish safe systems of work and complete OHS risk assessment records .

What are the environmental implications of the performance of this unit?
None other than the occasional disposal of hypodermic needles used for the connection of vacuum recording equipment to the milking system.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in the performance testing of milking machines requires evidence that an individual is able to carry out performance testing of milking machines in a working environment.
The skills and knowledge required to performance test milking machines must be transferable to differing milking shed environments. For example, they may be utilised as a part of an industry partnership to solve milk-harvesting problems or may simply be carried out to assess milking performance as a part of routine quality assurance processes.
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:

effects of vacuum changes on milking machine function
the mechanical testing of milking equipment
the effects of machine function as they relate to teat health and condition, slow or incomplete milking, or a higher incidence of liner slipping or cluster falling
milking operation and shed management.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

accurately dry test milking machines in accordance with industry standards
competently use milking equipment testing tools, gauges and equipment
accurately measure vacuum fluctuation in line with industry standard measuring procedures
understand and initiate the conduct of milking machine performance testing procedures
effectively carry out performance testing in line with standard procedures and ISO standards
act in a team situation to address milk harvesting problems
communicate effectively with milk harvesting professionals involved in the diagnosis of milk harvesting problems.

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:

effects of vacuum changes on milking machine function
the mechanical testing of milking equipment
the effects of machine function as they relate to teat health and condition, slow or incomplete milking, or a higher incidence of liner slipping or cluster falling
milking operation and shed management.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

accurately dry test milking machines in accordance with industry standards
competently use milking equipment testing tools, gauges and equipment
accurately measure vacuum fluctuation in line with industry standard measuring procedures
understand and initiate the conduct of milking machine performance testing procedures
effectively carry out performance testing in line with standard procedures and ISO standards
act in a team situation to address milk harvesting problems
communicate effectively with milk harvesting professionals involved in the diagnosis of milk harvesting problems.

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
Sound communication with the full range of milk harvesting industry professionals including the dairy farmer or shed manager is crucial in the performance of this unit. (2)

Communicating ideas and information
Sound communication with the full range of milk harvesting industry professionals including the dairy farmer or shed manager is crucial in the performance of this unit. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
The addressing of milk harvesting problems requires the assembly of information on milking performance, herd health and the case history from a range of sources. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
The addressing of milk harvesting problems requires the assembly of information on milking performance, herd health and the case history from a range of sources. (2)

Planning and organising activities
The conduct of performance testing procedures will need to be organised and conducted at a time that will co-ordinate with daily milking routines. (1)

Planning and organising activities
The conduct of performance testing procedures will need to be organised and conducted at a time that will co-ordinate with daily milking routines. (1)

Working with others and in teams
The development of solutions to milk harvesting problems can only be carried out in partnership with other industry specialists and a teamwork approach. (1)

Working with others and in teams
The development of solutions to milk harvesting problems can only be carried out in partnership with other industry specialists and a teamwork approach. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
A wide range of mathematical techniques will need to be utilised to calculate milking machine performance characteristics and indicators. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
A wide range of mathematical techniques will need to be utilised to calculate milking machine performance characteristics and indicators. (2)

Solving problems
Problem-solving skills are an integral part of this unit in solving problems of poor milking performance or machine function. (2)

Solving problems
Problem-solving skills are an integral part of this unit in solving problems of poor milking performance or machine function. (2)

Using technology
A variety of testing and diagnostic equipment will be utilised to measure and calculate in the performance of this unit. (2)

Using technology
A variety of testing and diagnostic equipment will be utilised to measure and calculate in the performance of this unit. (2)