Unit of competency
Modification History
|
Release |
TP Version |
Comment |
|
1 |
AHCv1.0 |
Initial release |
Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to manage agricultural crop production.
All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, work health and safety and biosecurity legislation and codes, and sustainability practices.
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.
Pre-requisite Unit
Nil.
Unit Sector
Broad acre cropping (BAC)
Elements and Performance Criteria
|
Element |
Performance criteria |
|
Elements describe the essential outcomes. |
Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
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1. Determine requirements for an agricultural crop establishment program |
1.1 Select plant varieties that are best suited to soil, climate, seasonal conditions and marketing goals 1.2 Determine required irrigation schedules where required for each soil and crop type based on assessed water requirements, rainfall and evapo-transpiration data 1.3 Assess nutrient requirements for crops to determine appropriate fertiliser program 1.4 Assess technology to ensure most efficient performance of operations 1.5 Identify and maintain budgetary constraints 1.6 Develop a crop establishment program appropriate to the crop production plan 1.7 Identify work health and safety hazards and develop control strategies in establishing agricultural crops |
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2. Implement crop maintenance |
2.1 Implement strategic grazing to reduce or eradicate areas of weed infestation 2.2 Determine fertiliser applications and rates appropriate to crop type and applied accordingly 2.3 Determine crop nutrient requirements to ensure sustainability and achievement of yield 2.4 Monitor soil moisture and adjust watering schedule if appropriate 2.5 Determine and implement processes to minimise waste and soil degradation appropriately |
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3. Monitor an agricultural crop through to harvest |
3.1 Determine longer term trends in weed, pest and disease incidence, and implement any necessary changes to control measures 3.2 Monitor soil structure and erosion and determine necessary changes to cultural practices, grazing management and drainage 3.3 Check and maintain irrigation and drainage systems 3.4 Monitor grazing management to ensure crop production levels 3.5 Monitor crop maturity and undertake harvesting to meet marketing and production targets |
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4. Implement the harvest strategy |
4.1 Follow the harvesting plan to apply pre-harvest pest control treatments where weather patterns permit 4.2 Ensure adherence to all work health and safety and environmental requirements throughout the application of pre-harvest treatments and throughout the harvest 4.3 Ensure that all required labour and equipment is ready and available at the scheduled place and time 4.4 Commence the harvest at the scheduled time 4.5 Follow the order of the harvest described in the harvesting plan 4.6 Monitor harvesting operations and adjust to allow for weather, contracting and equipment maintenance needs 4.7 Instruct truck, tractor and harvester operators on procedures to deliver each crop load at maximum quality |
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5. Record production |
5.1 Maintain appropriate records of production for analysis and evaluation of production performance |
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range of Conditions
Unit Mapping Information
New unit - no equivalent.
Links
Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=c6399549-9c62-4a5e-bf1a-524b2322cf72
