Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers providing bee pollination services and defines the standard required to: assess need for pollination; negotiate price and pollination agreement; comply with all industry and legislative requirements; identify suitable locations within crop or site for hive placement; objectively assess hive condition and suitability for pollination; monitor performance of contract and of bee colonies.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to a specialist grower under a commercial arrangement.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Assess pollination service requirement

1.1. Pollination services to be provided are confirmed with customer.

1.2. Number and types of colonies required for crop are determined.

1.3. Strength and condition of bee colonies are assessed for their suitability for use as crop pollinators.

1.4. Risk of pollination problems is assessed with customer and process to monitor risk is agreed and established.

1.5. Technical information is provided to customer.

2. Price and formalise agreement for pollination services

2.1. Costs in providing pollination services are identified and calculated.

2.2. Price for pollination services is agreed with customer.

2.3. Formal agreement is made with customer and documented.

3. Monitor pollination performance of bee colonies

3.1. Crop is monitored within appropriate timeframe for evidence of bee foraging and pollination efficiency.

3.2. Remedial action is taken where required.

3.3. Hive strength and condition are demonstrated to customer where required.

3.4. Swarm control is maintained.

3.5. Bee husbandry practices are carried out as required.

4. Comply with industry and legislative requirement

4.1. Appropriate health certificates and permits are obtained where bees are to be moved across state borders.

4.2. Appropriate pollination code of practice is followed.

4.3. All state or territory Apiary Acts and other relevant Acts and regulations, and local government regulations affecting beekeeping are addressed.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• identifying hazards and following safe work practices
• calculating strength and numbers of bee colonies required to pollinate crop
• managing pollination of honey bee colonies
• monitoring chemical use near hives
• monitoring climate and weather
• monitoring hive activity on target crop
• pricing and negotiating provision of services
• 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 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 

• chemicals used on each crop to be pollinated and available alternatives
• environmental and climatic factors affecting bee foraging behaviour and pollination
• essential elements of a valid contract
• location of colonies to maximise pollination
• management of health and performance of bee colonies
• nutrition and water requirements of bees
• pollination requirements of major crops in locality of operation, including nearby crops/plants that may be more attractive to foraging bees
• public liability insurance requirements.

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 need for pollination
• negotiate price and pollination agreement
• comply with all industry and legislative requirements
• identify suitable locations within crop or site for hive placement
• objectively assess hive condition and suitability for pollination
• monitor performance of contract and of bee colonies.

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.

Performance relates to and may include:

• all processes and equipment used in commercial bee pollination services.

Unit sector 

Beekeeping

Co-requisite units 

Competency field