Manage the harvest of crops

Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 2:59 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.

Unit of competency

National Code
AHCBAC506

State Code
BAP84

TGA Status
Replaced

DTWD Status
Replaced

Current Release Number
1.00

Current Release Date
27/06/2016

View on TGA

State Implementation and Classification

Approved Date

12/01/2017

Field of Education

050101 - Agricultural Science

Original Release Date

12/01/2017

Nominal Hours

Description

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to manage the harvest of crops.All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, work health and safety and biosecurity legislation and codes, and sustainability practices.Harvesting crops carries risk of fire. All harvesting activities shall be conducted appropriate to relevant regulations, legislation and guidelines as determined by the relevant fire authority.This unit applies to individuals who demonstrate deep knowledge in a specific technical area, take personal responsibility and exercise autonomy in undertaking complex work. They organise the work of self and others and analyse, design and communicate solutions to sometimes complex problems.No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Notes

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Determine crop quality

1.1 Assess the potential crop yield using measurements made in the field
1.2 Test and assess the potential quality of the crop using quality parameters before harvest
1.3 Estimate the value of each crop using the measurements taken and assessments made before harvest

2. Determine crop readiness

2.1 Refer pre-harvest samples to the laboratory or marketing agent to determine the potential quality of the crop
2.2 Monitor weather patterns estimate the rate of ripening
2.3 Monitor crop maturity and estimate when the crop will be at its optimum and harvest commencement
2.4 Assess the incidence of pests and determine the requirement for, and the type of, pre-harvest treatment
2.5 Select pre-harvest treatments to ensure that the crop meets market requirements
2.6 Ensure adherence to all work health and safety and environmental requirements throughout the application of preharvest treatments

3. Assess the need for insurance

3.1 Confirm any commitments to insure the crop
3.2 Estimate the crop value
3.3 Insure the crop, if appropriate
3.4 Analyse, assess and implement appropriate strategies to manage financial risk

4. Plan harvest strategy

4.1 Estimate the appropriate harvest commencement date and the time span
4.2 Calculate equipment and labour resources required for harvest from the size of the crop and harvest time limitations
4.3 Analyse equipment and labour resources required against those available within the enterprise, and determine the amount of labour and equipment to be contracted
4.4 Assess technology to ensure most efficient performance of operations
4.5 Plan for and order any equipment preparation required prior to harvest
4.6 Plan application of required pre-harvest pest control treatments appropriately
4.7 Determine and arrange required licenses, permits and notifications
4.8 Determine and describe the order of the harvest in the plan

5. Plan for work health and safety hazard management

5.1 Communicate with all harvesting personnel and ensure awareness of work health and safety hazards that may be present, their responsibilities for action, and the systems that are in place to deal with such hazards
5.2 Implement suitable controls to reduce work health and safety hazard risks
5.3 Monitor, identify and assess work health and safety hazards at each stage of the harvesting process

6. Plan for fire prevention and control

6.1 Evaluate the property and identify fire risks and hazards
6.2 Develop a fire prevention and control strategy that addresses the identified risks and hazards, including measures to be taken
6.3 Assess the fire prevention and control strategy, and the specific measures to be taken
6.4 Prepare appropriate fire breaks as identified in the strategy
6.5 Ensure that sufficient firefighting equipment meets appropriate fire authority standards or guidelines is available as prescribed in the strategy
6.6 Implement appropriate community fire control practices

7. Decide on storage and delivery requirements

7.1 Allocate crop storage facilities, and plan and arrange for immediate delivery of the crop to packing sheds, the bulk handling system, or other purchasers
7.2 Ensure that silos, storage bins and other containers are located to enable efficient harvesting and transport operations
7.3 Identify any work health and safety hazards from silo operation and implement risk minimisation practices
7.4 Plan storage for flexible marketing and distribution initiatives
7.5 Evaluate resources required for crop transport, engage contractors where required
7.6 Identify strategies and resources to dry crops appropriately

8. Manage harvest operations

8.1 Ensure harvest plan is adhered to
8.2 Ensure adherence to all work health and safety and environmental requirements
8.3 Monitor harvest operations to ensure efficient and timely completion
8.4 Monitor crop quality against the harvesting plan as the crop is harvested and segregate into the various marketing grades
8.5 Store each crop grade as determined by the harvesting plan
8.6 Implement enterprise biosecurity policies

9. Record production level and review cropping strategies

9.1 Maintain appropriate records of production for analysis and evaluation of production performance
9.2 Monitor and evaluate crop yields against forecast production levels

No information

Replaces

State Code	National Code	Title	Type
D6731	AHCBAC506A	Manage the harvest of crops	Unit of competency

Replaced By

State Code	National Code	Title	Type
ODV10	AHCBAC516	Manage the harvest of crops	Unit of competency

State Code	National Code	Title	Type
BDD8	AHC50116	Diploma of Agriculture	Qualification
BDC7	AHC51816	Diploma of Organic Farming	Qualification