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.

What agricultural crops are covered by this unit?
Agricultural crops covered by this unit include wheat and coarse grains, cotton, grain legumes, oilseeds, sugar, temperate and tropical pastures.

How may crop maturity be assessed?
Field measurements for crop yield are primarily objective and may include sampling, transects, past records, and visual assessment.

What OHS requirements may be relevant to this standard?
Safe systems and procedures for:
the operation and maintenance of machinery and equipment including hydraulics
guarding of exposed moving parts
ensuring loads are secure and within working specifications
the identification and avoidance of obstacles during harvesting operations
working within confined spaces
hazard and risk control
mounting and dismounting
handling including lifting and carrying
manual handling
the application of emergency/defensive driving techniques
handling, application and storage of hazardous substances
outdoor work including protection from solar radiation, noise, organic and other dusts
the protection of people in the workplace
the appropriate use and maintenance of personal protective equipment.

What insurance requirements may be identified?
Crop insurance is likely to cover events such as fire, hail and transport damage.

What equipment may be required to carry out harvesting operations?
This may include trucks, trailers, tractors, field bins and contracted resources.

What fire prevention measures may be arranged?
This may include fire vehicles, fixtures such as dams, tanks, pumps and water mains, communication devices, personal protective equipment and constructions such as firebreaks.

What hazards to health and safety may be applicable to this standard?
Hazards may include dust, working in confined and enclosed spaces, working in the vicinity of pesticide residues, working with, and close to, vehicles and plant and applying pre-harvest chemical treatments.

What enterprise requirements may apply to this standard?
SOP, industry standards, production schedules, MSDS, work notes and plans, product labels, manufacturers specifications, operator's manuals, enterprise policies and procedures (including waste disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines), and manager's oral or written instructions.

What storage resources may be arranged?
Storage resources may include temporary storage, field bins, silos, horizontal storage and direct delivery to bulk handling authority.

What agricultural crops are covered by this unit?
Agricultural crops covered by this unit include wheat and coarse grains, cotton, grain legumes, oilseeds, sugar, temperate and tropical pastures.

How may crop maturity be assessed?
Field measurements for crop yield are primarily objective and may include sampling, transects, past records, and visual assessment.

What OHS requirements may be relevant to this standard?
Safe systems and procedures for:
the operation and maintenance of machinery and equipment including hydraulics
guarding of exposed moving parts
ensuring loads are secure and within working specifications
the identification and avoidance of obstacles during harvesting operations
working within confined spaces
hazard and risk control
mounting and dismounting
handling including lifting and carrying
manual handling
the application of emergency/defensive driving techniques
handling, application and storage of hazardous substances
outdoor work including protection from solar radiation, noise, organic and other dusts
the protection of people in the workplace
the appropriate use and maintenance of personal protective equipment.

What insurance requirements may be identified?
Crop insurance is likely to cover events such as fire, hail and transport damage.

What equipment may be required to carry out harvesting operations?
This may include trucks, trailers, tractors, field bins and contracted resources.

What fire prevention measures may be arranged?
This may include fire vehicles, fixtures such as dams, tanks, pumps and water mains, communication devices, personal protective equipment and constructions such as firebreaks.

What hazards to health and safety may be applicable to this standard?
Hazards may include dust, working in confined and enclosed spaces, working in the vicinity of pesticide residues, working with, and close to, vehicles and plant and applying pre-harvest chemical treatments.

What enterprise requirements may apply to this standard?
SOP, industry standards, production schedules, MSDS, work notes and plans, product labels, manufacturers specifications, operator's manuals, enterprise policies and procedures (including waste disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines), and manager's oral or written instructions.

What storage resources may be arranged?
Storage resources may include temporary storage, field bins, silos, horizontal storage and direct delivery to bulk handling authority.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in managing the harvest requires evidence of the ability to develop and schedule a harvesting plan to meet crop maturity. It requires the ability to plan resources, negotiate resource and labour contracts, value crop yield, plan fire prevention and control, arrange storage and delivery requirements, segregate grain for quality and monitor for moisture content.
The skills and knowledge required to manage the harvest must be transferable to another rural environment. For example, this could include different crops, regions, soil types and enterprise procedures.
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:

functions and limitations of harvesting equipment
crop measurement techniques and parameters
market information and sources
location and relative skills and abilities of available contractors
weather conditions which may affect the harvest
relevant legislation and regulations relating to OHS, contractor engagement, chemical use and application, and vehicle and plant use
environmental controls and codes of practice applicable to harvesting operations.

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:

organise and schedule the maintenance of plant and equipment
establish strategies, procedures and controls for crop harvesting
prepare written plans and procedures for implementation by others
estimate and calculate volumes, quantities and maintain budgetary controls
interpret, analyse and extract information from a range of sources and discussions
negotiate and arrange contracts and agreements
explain and deliver instructions with regard to the harvest operations to both staff and contractors
implement safe workplace and positive environmental practices.

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:

functions and limitations of harvesting equipment
crop measurement techniques and parameters
market information and sources
location and relative skills and abilities of available contractors
weather conditions which may affect the harvest
relevant legislation and regulations relating to OHS, contractor engagement, chemical use and application, and vehicle and plant use
environmental controls and codes of practice applicable to harvesting operations.

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:

organise and schedule the maintenance of plant and equipment
establish strategies, procedures and controls for crop harvesting
prepare written plans and procedures for implementation by others
estimate and calculate volumes, quantities and maintain budgetary controls
interpret, analyse and extract information from a range of sources and discussions
negotiate and arrange contracts and agreements
explain and deliver instructions with regard to the harvest operations to both staff and contractors
implement safe workplace and positive environmental practices.

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
Information and ideas with regard to aspects of the harvesting operations may be discussed with the full range of field staff, contractors, bulk handling authority, and insurance and stock agents. (3)

Communicating ideas and information
Information and ideas with regard to aspects of the harvesting operations may be discussed with the full range of field staff, contractors, bulk handling authority, and insurance and stock agents. (3)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Information with regard to assessing the crop yield, value and resources may be documented and organised by reports for analysis. (3)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Information with regard to assessing the crop yield, value and resources may be documented and organised by reports for analysis. (3)

Planning and organising activities
Labour and resources may be planned and organised to meet harvesting schedule. (3)

Planning and organising activities
Labour and resources may be planned and organised to meet harvesting schedule. (3)

Working with others and in teams
In the application of methods and procedures to complete harvesting operations within timeframes. (2)

Working with others and in teams
In the application of methods and procedures to complete harvesting operations within timeframes. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematical techniques may be used to evaluate and assess crop yield and quality, and subsequent value. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematical techniques may be used to evaluate and assess crop yield and quality, and subsequent value. (2)

Solving problems
Problems of resources or staffing may be resolved by appropriate adjustments to the harvesting strategy. (3)

Solving problems
Problems of resources or staffing may be resolved by appropriate adjustments to the harvesting strategy. (3)

Using technology
Technology may be used to communicate, calculate and measure during the harvesting operations. (2)

Using technology
Technology may be used to communicate, calculate and measure during the harvesting operations. (2)