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 integrated crop and pasture 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. Develop a pasture and crop program |
1.1 Establish production targets for each crop and pasture type consistent with marketing and enterprise objectives 1.2 Select plant varieties that are best suited to soil, climate, seasonal conditions and marketing goals 1.3 Determine irrigation schedules, where required, for each soil and crop or pasture type based on assessed water requirements, rainfall and evapo-transpiration data 1.4 Assess nutrient requirements for crops and pastures to determine appropriate fertiliser program 1.5 Assess technology to ensure most efficient performance of operations 1.6 Identify and maintain budgetary constraints appropriately 1.7 Develop a pasture and crop program to meet production targets and enterprise objectives 1.8 Identify work health and safety hazards in crop & pasture management and develop control strategies |
|
2. Implement pasture and crop management program |
2.1 Implement pasture and crop program and monitor pasture capacity appropriately 2.2 Implement planned strategic grazing, where necessary, to reduce or eradicate areas of weed infestation 2.3 Determine and conduct fertiliser applications and rates appropriate to crop or pasture type 2.4 Apply crop and pasture nutrient requirements to ensure achievement of yield and sustainability of pasture 2.5 Monitor soil moisture schedule watering, and adjust as required 2.6 Determine and implement appropriate processes to minimise waste, soil degradation and environmental standards |
|
3. Monitor crop or pasture growth and fodder production |
3.1 Determine longer term trends in weed, pest and disease incidence and implement any necessary control measures changes 3.2 Monitor soil structure and erosion, determine and implement any necessary changes to cultural practices, grazing management and drainage 3.3 Check and maintain irrigation and drainage systems 3.4 Monitor grazing management 3.5 Integrate livestock into the cropping cycle through grazing of pastures returning to crop, stubbles and crop residues, and dual purpose crops 3.6 Identify feed surpluses and deficiencies and take appropriate action 3.7 Monitor crop or pasture maturity is monitored and conduct harvesting to meet marketing and production targets |
|
4. Review production level |
4.1 Monitor pasture and crop yields and evaluate against forecast production levels 4.2 Evaluate efficiency and effectiveness of grazing and cropping programs and document for future best practice 4.3 Evaluate production performance of each enterprise and document for management program review 4.4 Maintain appropriate production records for production performance analysis and evaluation |
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range of Conditions
Unit Mapping Information
This unit is equivalent to AHCBAC503A Manage integrated crop and pasture production.
Links
Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=c6399549-9c62-4a5e-bf1a-524b2322cf72
