Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the routine process of collecting semen for artificial insemination of livestock and defines the standard required to: prepare for and undertake hygienic collection of semen; match collection vessels and labelling to the sire; transfer semen safely to the preparation and storage area; handle animals in a humane, stress free, and safe manner; clean up work areas and equipment; record data.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to working as part of a technical operation within enterprise guidelines for Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and animal welfare.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Prepare animals for collecting semen

1.1. Suitable personal protective equipment and clothing is selected, used and maintained according to OHS and enterprise requirements.

1.2. Appropriate equipment for collection is selected and prepared.

1.3. Nominated sire is prepared and located at the appropriate semen collection area.

1.4. Semen is collected from the nominated sire using industry approved collection techniques.

1.5. Semen is transferred to the processing and storage area according to enterprise requirements and instructions.

2. Complete collection procedures

2.1. Post-collection procedures are carried out according to enterprise requirements.

2.2. Waste is disposed of according to recommended hygiene standards.

2.3. Work area and equipment are cleaned to industry standards and returned to operating order.

2.4. Animals are safely returned to the designated area according to enterprise requirements and instructions.

3. Document and record data

3.1. Data on semen collection is accurate and recorded according to enterprise requirements.

3.2. Information is supplied to relevant authorities to promote research and improvements in industry practice.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• identify hazards and implement safe operating procedures
• sterilise equipment and prepare hygienic worksite prior to insemination procedures
• identify and record animals on heat
• employ safe work practices
• clean up work site and safely dispose of waste
• use literacy skills to read, interpret and follow organisational policies and procedures, follow sequenced written instructions, record accurately and legible information collected and select and apply procedures for a range of tasks
• use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning techniques, active listening, clarifying information and consulting with supervisors as required
• use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures
• use interpersonal skills to work with and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge 

• animal health and abnormalities
• semen collecting and transfer techniques
• animal handling techniques and behavioural characteristics
• enterprise and industry identification system for animals
• personal protective equipment and when and how it should be used
• relevant State/Territory legislation, regulations and codes of practice with regard to workplace OHS and animal welfare
• enterprise and industry policies with regard to semen collection and recording and reporting routines.

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:

• prepare for and undertake hygienic collection of semen
• match collection vessels and labelling to the sire
• transfer semen safely to the preparation and storage area
• handle animals in a humane, stress free, and safe manner
• clean up work areas and equipment and record data.

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.

Animals may include:

• beef cattle
• dairy cattle
• sheep
• alpacas
• goats
• pigs.

Unit sector 

Artificial insemination

Co-requisite units 

Competency field