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Unit of competency details

ACMEQU504 - Manage horse pastures (Release 1)

Summary

Usage recommendation:
Current
Mapping:
MappingNotesDate
Supersedes ACMHBR504 - Manage horse pasturesUnit sector changed to EQU. Performance Criteria reordered and updated for clarity. Foundation Skills table and Assessment Requirements updated 17/Feb/2022

Release Status:
Current
Releases:
ReleaseRelease date
1 1 (this release) 18/Feb/2022


Classifications

SchemeCodeClassification value
ASCED Module/Unit of Competency Field of Education Identifier 050101 Agricultural Science  

Classification history

SchemeCodeClassification valueStart dateEnd date
ASCED Module/Unit of Competency Field of Education Identifier 050101 Agricultural Science  27/Apr/2022 
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Unit of competency

Modification History

Release

Comments

Release 1

This version released with ACM Animal Care and Management Training Package Version 5.0.

Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to plan, manage and maintain pastures and land used for an establishment housing horses, and other domestic equines if relevant. The unit focuses on maximising horse nutrition and welfare, optimising sustainability, and minimising the impact of horses on pasture, soil and land capability.

This unit is applicable to individuals who have responsibility for pasture and land management for a horse establishment. They analyse information, solve routine and at times complex problems, and convey information and skills to others.

Commonwealth and state/territory health and safety and animal welfare legislation, regulations and codes of practice relevant to interacting with horses apply to workers in this industry. Requirements vary between industry sectors and jurisdictions.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Pre-requisite Unit

Nil

Unit Sector

Equine (EQU)

Elements and Performance Criteria

Elements

Performance Criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Establish a pasture management plan

1.1 Identify horse operation goals, and nutritional needs and pasture requirements for horses on the property

1.2 Identify factors that impact on pasture management for the property, considering climate, site, soil characteristics, water supply and natural resources

1.3 Assess existing pasture for retention, removal or improvement

1.4 Select appropriate pasture plant species suited to property site, seasonal conditions and horse nutritional needs

1.5 Determine pasture establishment and maintenance resources and costs to ensure optimum pasture

1.6 Document a pasture management plan appropriate for property size and goals, and nutritional needs and welfare of horses

2. Implement pasture management plan

2.1 Establish grazing practices and densities in line with pasture management plan and horse nutritional and welfare needs

2.2 Establish pasture rotation practices to manage plant diversity and growth stages, and parasite reduction

2.3 Implement plans to reduce, eradicate or control weed infestation, plant disease and other pests or vermin

2.4 Manage withholding periods for horses and other livestock after application of chemicals on pasture

2.5 Assess nutrient and water requirements for pasture plants, and implement fertiliser and irrigation program according to pasture management plan

2.6 Implement manure management according to pasture management plan and horse welfare and environmental requirements

2.7 Implement soil protection strategies to minimise soil degradation

3. Review pasture management and maintenance

3.1 Assess the benefits and challenges faced in implementing the pasture management plan for horse operation

3.2 Evaluate the pasture management plan for efficiency and effectiveness

3.3 Make adjustments, as required, and update the horse operation pasture management plan

Foundation Skills

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential for performance in this unit of competency but are not explicit in the performance criteria.

Skill

Description

Reading

  • Analyse information accessed from a range of sources to identify key facts relevant to land and pasture use

Writing

  • Prepare logically structured documents and plans using print-based and/or digital formats, terminology and conventions specific to purpose and audience

Numeracy

  • Interpret, compare and consolidate numerical and financial information to determine budget and resource requirements

Unit Mapping Information

Code and title current version

Code and title previous version

Comments

Equivalence status

ACMEQU504 Manage horse pastures

ACMHBR504 Manage horse pastures

Unit sector changed to EQU

Performance Criteria reordered and updated for clarity

Foundation Skills table and Assessment Requirements updated

Not equivalent

Links

Companion Volumes, including Implementation Guides, are available at VETNet: - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=b75f4b23-54c9-4cc9-a5db-d3502d154103

 

Assessment requirements

Modification History

Release

Comments

Release 1

This version released with ACM Animal Care and Management Training Package Version 5.0.

Performance Evidence

An individual demonstrating competency must satisfy all of the elements and performance criteria in this unit.

There must be evidence that the individual has:

  • developed and documented one annual pasture management plan for a horse establishment
  • implemented and reviewed the pasture management plan, and made adjustments to the plan as required.

Knowledge Evidence

An individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge required to perform the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit. This includes knowledge of:

  • factors to consider in managing pasture, including:
  • goals of horse operation
  • pasture plant species and natural vegetation
  • climate and seasonal factors
  • site elevations and gradients
  • soil characteristics
  • water supply – natural and other sources
  • infrastructure requirements
  • characteristics of horses relevant to pasture management, including:
  • horse behaviour in pastures
  • horse nutritional requirements
  • roughage requirements of horses
  • horse grazing practices and densities
  • crop rotation and parasite reduction
  • pasture plant and grass species growth patterns, energy levels and plant stress management
  • growth patterns and characteristics for different weeds
  • toxic plants, pest and vermin management strategies
  • effects of chemicals on plants, weeds and horses
  • advantages and disadvantages of irrigation, and effects on pasture, soil nutrients and soil salinity
  • land and soil conditions, including nutrient characteristics of different soils
  • property pasture planning processes
  • sustainable land management practices, including:
  • environmental protection strategies
  • water, vegetation and soil management strategies.

Assessment Conditions

Assessment of the skills in this unit of competency must take place under the following conditions:

  • physical conditions:
  • an equine workplace or an environment that accurately represents workplace conditions
  • resources, equipment and materials:
  • information about land conditions, horse stock and business requirements of the establishment
  • operational documentation and systems to complete a pasture management plan
  • technology to research and develop pasture management plan.

The Companion Volume:User Guide: Safety in Equine Training provides advice and sample templates to assist assessors with the risk assessments that should be undertaken to help ensure the safety of all involved in the assessment.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.

Links

Companion Volumes, including Implementation Guides, are available at VETNet: - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=b75f4b23-54c9-4cc9-a5db-d3502d154103