Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the process of preparing and providing feed and water for livestock in a production unit and defines the standard required to: recognise a range of feed types and qualities; prepare and distribute feed; check watering systems; report on feeding to supervisors; keep basic feeding records.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to working under close supervision with regular checking within enterprise guidelines.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Get and distribute feed

1.1. Daily feeding program for livestock is checked with supervisor.

1.2. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards are identified, risk assessed and suitable controls implemented.

1.3. Suitable personal protective equipment is selected, used and maintained.

1.4. Assistance is provided for weighing and measuring feed.

1.5. Feed is loaded into trolleys from silos or other storage bins and distributed, or where used, automatic/computerised feeders are checked for blockages and correct functioning.

1.6. Supervisors are notified of any abnormalities or irregularities with feed stocks.

1.7. Tools, machinery and equipment are maintained and stored after use.

2. Check watering systems

2.1. Where appropriate, watering systems are adjusted for height or position.

2.2. Water flow is checked and adjustments are made accordingly.

2.3. Watering containers or lines are emptied and cleaned where necessary.

3. Keep workplace record

3.1. Basic feeding records are kept and supervisor informed.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• identify hazards and follow safety directions
• identify a range of feed types and qualities
• identify grain contaminants
• recognise and rectify minor operational faults
• read and interpret manufacturers specifications, work and maintenance plans, and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
• interpret and apply task instructions, communicate with work team and supervisor, and record and report faults, workplace hazards and accidents
• complete records and documentation of feed use and volumes for the shed
• use machinery and equipment associated with providing feed
• use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures
• use interpersonal skills to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge 

• silo operations, tractors and associated feeding machinery and equipment
• cleaning and storage of machinery, equipment and materials
• enterprise recording and reporting procedures
• grains, meals, pelleted and liquid feeds
• evidence of spoilage and handling spoilt feeds
• legislation and workplace procedures for OHS, animal welfare and environmental management.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment 

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

• recognise a range of feed types and qualities
• prepare and distribute feed
• check watering systems
• report on feeding to supervisors
• keep basic feeding records.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Livestock may include:

• pigs
• poultry
• shedded sheep
• feedlot and dairy cattle.

Unit sector 

Livestock

Co-requisite units 

Competency field