Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the process of preparing for and implementing natural mating procedures for livestock and defines the standard required to: prepare joining paddocks; assess the serving capacity and fertility of males pre joining; ensure females are above minimum body weights to exhibit oestrus; use sufficient males for the number of females to be mated in the group; use back up sires where single sire mating is practised; record mating details.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to workers in livestock enterprises that are tasked with the preparation for and implementation of natural mating of livestock.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Prepare paddocks or yards

1.1. Particular livestock mating plan is determined according to supervisor instructions or enterprise procedures.

1.2. Paddocks or yards are selected and stocked to appropriate levels.

1.3. Predator control program is planned and implemented where appropriate.

1.4. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards are identified, risks assessed, controls implemented and safety concerns reported to the supervisor.

1.5. Suitable safety and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is selected, used and maintained.

2. Prepare dams for joining

2.1. Live weight of dams is monitored through weighing and/or condition scoring.

2.2. Nutrition levels are adjusted to achieve targeted joining weights in line with feeding strategy.

2.3. Dam health and husbandry operations are carried out according to enterprise procedures.

2.4. Mobs are drafted for joining.

3. Prepare sires for joining

3.1. Physical examination of sires is carried out prior to joining.

3.2. Veterinary advice is sought where appropriate.

3.3. Mating ratios are determined.

3.4. Replacement sires are selected in time to allow adjustment to new environment.

3.5. Sire health and husbandry operations are carried out in line with individual requirements

3.6. Sires are test mated to assess libido and serving capability if required

3.7. Sires environment is managed for optimum mating performance.

4. Join sires to dam mobs

4.1. If appropriate, dates are selected for joining according to the mating plan.

4.2. Test joinings for new sires are undertaken if appropriate.

4.3. Sires are introduced to herds or individual dams to ensure good contact.

4.4. Sires are removed from herds at the scheduled time if in line with enterprise requirements.

5. Monitor mating activity

5.1. Mating activity is observed and recorded in line with enterprise standards.

5.2. Distribution of sires is observed within each mob.

5.3. Remedial action is taken if required.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• identifying hazards and implementing safe work practices
• managing dams and sires during joining
• preparing dams and sires for joining
• appraising breeding soundness in animals
• estimating liveweights
• monitoring joining activity
• 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 

• mating behaviour of sires and dams
• optimum live weights and condition for mating
• physical abnormalities and mating problems in males and females
• environmental influences on joining
• OHS and animal welfare legislation, codes of practice and enterprise procedures.

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 joining paddocks
• assess the serving capacity and fertility of males pre joining
• ensure females are above minimum body weights to exhibit oestrus
• use sufficient males for the number of females to be mated in the group
• use back up sires where single sire mating is practised
• record mating details.

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:

• cattle
• sheep
• goats
• alpacas.

Unit sector 

Livestock

Co-requisite units 

Competency field