Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the planning of a pasture establishment program and defines the standard required to: assess site factors; select suitable pasture species and cultivars; identify threats to pasture establishment including weeds, pests and diseases; determine resources and equipment for planting and post-planting care; prepare pasture establishment plans to meet livestock production plans and schedules.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to farm enterprise managers.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Determine requirements of the pasture establishment program

1.1. Existing pasture is assessed and either retained or removed.

1.2. Pasture species and cultivars that are appropriate to the site and meet production needs are identified and the required quantity calculated, costed and availability confirmed with suppliers.

1.3. Pasture establishment procedures are selected consistent with seasonal factors, site and soil characteristics, production plans and the resources and equipment available.

1.4. Post-planting care is planned according to production needs, enterprise standards and site capabilities.

1.5. Plant germination and nutrient requirements are identified and planned for, taking into account soil characteristics.

1.6. Resources, tools, equipment and machinery required for planting and post-planting care are identified, costed and availability confirmed with suppliers, contractors and appropriate personnel.

1.7. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards associated with the pasture establishment program are identified; risks assessed and controls developed according to enterprise guidelines.

2. Prepare and document the pasture establishment program

2.1. Detailed plans are prepared based on the requirements of the pasture establishment program and production requirements.

2.2. Plan is produced which can be readily interpreted and understood by on-site personnel according to enterprise standards.

2.3. On-site procedures and schedules required for the planting of the site and post-planting care of pasture are developed and communicated to staff.

2.4. Contingencies are planned for and alternative strategies identified if applicable.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• determine requirements of the pasture establishment program
• research suitable pasture species for the site and proposed land use
• prepare and document the pasture establishment program
• develop strategies for weed, pest and disease control
• assess pastures for production potential
• use literacy skills to read, interpret and follow organisational policies and procedures, develop sequenced written instructions, record accurately and legibly information collected and select and apply procedures to a range of tasks
• use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification, negotiating solutions and responding to a range of views
• use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine and more complex workplace measures and data
• use interpersonal skills to work with others and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge 

• pasture varieties and their characteristics, requirements and production potential
• establishment techniques of specific pasture species and cultivars
• the advantages and disadvantages of a range of pasture establishment procedures
• maintenance requirements and practices for specific pasture species and cultivars after initial establishment
• livestock production systems and their integration with pasture production
• planning process, including costing and scheduling of works
• plant identification of pasture and weed species
• role of pasture in sustainable land use
• environmental impacts of pasture establishment.

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:

• assess site factors
• select suitable pasture species and cultivars
• identify threats to pasture establishment including weeds, pests and diseases
• determine resources and equipment for planting and post-planting care
• prepare pasture establishment plans to meet livestock production plans and schedules.

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.

The range of crops and establishment methods may include:

• annual, perennial and subtropical pasture species, established with or without cover crops.

Unit sector 

Broadacre cropping

Co-requisite units 

Competency field