Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the functions required to move, draft and control livestock using basic methods and procedures in an agricultural enterprise and defines the standard required to: prepare handling areas, gates and access routes for livestock movement; monitor and anticipate livestock behaviour; identify and draft livestock for handling operations; move and control livestock and minimise undue stress and risk to livestock and handlers.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to workers in the livestock industry who operate under routine supervision within enterprise guidelines.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Prepare for handling livestock

1.1. Livestock handling areas, gates and access routes are identified, prepared and maintained according to enterprise requirements.

1.2. Livestock are located and identified for handling according to supervisor's instructions.

1.3. Behavioural characteristics of livestock are observed, anticipated and appropriate handling methods selected.

1.4. Handling equipment is selected, checked for soundness and prepared for use according to manufacturer's specifications and supervisor's instructions.

1.5. Hazards in the workplace are recognised and safety concerns reported.

2. Handle livestock

2.1. Suitable personal protective equipment is selected, used and maintained according to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements.

2.2. Procedures to control, draft and sort livestock are conducted with due care according to OHS and animal welfare requirements.

2.3. Restraint procedures are carried out safely and with minimum stress and discomfort to livestock according to OHS and animal welfare requirements.

2.4. Livestock behaviour is continually monitored and anticipated during moving and drafting processes to ensure wellbeing of livestock and safety of handlers.

2.5. Livestock count is conducted and recorded according to enterprise requirements.

2.6. Environmental implications associated with livestock production are recognised and reported to the supervisor.

3. Complete handling procedure

3.1. Livestock handling operations are completed as instructed, and gates and access routes prepared for livestock departure according to enterprise requirements.

3.2. Handling areas and equipment are cleaned and maintained and surplus materials stored according to OHS and enterprise requirements.

3.3. Handling area maintenance requirements and equipment faults or malfunctions are detailed and reported according to enterprise requirements.

3.4. Livestock residues and waste are disposed of according to OHS and enterprise environmental practices.

3.5. Relevant information is recorded and reported according to enterprise requirements.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• identify hazards and follow safe work practices
• provide due care in the handling of livestock
• recognise enterprise livestock identification systems
• safely drive vehicles, and ride horses and motorbikes without damage to person, property or environment
• recognise livestock abnormalities
• control environmental impacts associated with livestock production
• apply contingency measures for handling livestock in the event of adverse weather conditions
• observe and describe the behaviour of livestock
• read and comprehend oral and written information and instructions, write basic statements and maintain livestock handling records
• assess and calculate livestock numbers
• use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and seeking advice from supervisor
• 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 

• livestock breeds and basic nutritional and welfare requirements
• livestock behavioural characteristics and movement in handling areas
• components and functions of handling equipment
• handling techniques and restraint methods
• enterprise livestock identification systems
• environmental codes of practice with regard to livestock production
• OHS and animal welfare legislative requirements
• regulatory controls with regard to handling livestock on public roads.

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 handling areas, gates and access routes for livestock movement
• monitor and anticipate livestock behaviour
• identify and draft livestock for handling operations
• move and control livestock
• minimise undue stress and risk to livestock and handlers.

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:

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

Unit sector 

Livestock

Co-requisite units 

Competency field