Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the process of observing and reporting on weather and climate conditions for an agricultural, horticultural or land management enterprise and defines the standard required to: monitor and interpret weather information; communicate warnings and concerns; identify weather and climate conditions and its impact upon farming and grazing activities; follow directions to minimise loss and damage to staff, livestock, crops, property; produce and review farm enterprises and operations for weather risk.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to all workers in agricultural, horticultural and land management industries. It is normally carried out while working with limited supervision, within enterprise guidelines.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Check weather and climate information

1.1. Weather and climate information is checked to determine likely conditions.

1.2. Changed weather and climate situations are recognised.

1.3. Likely impact of changes in weather and climate are anticipated in respect to work tasks, safety of others, property, natural resources and local environment.

1.4. Report is made to supervisor of anticipated impact of weather and climate.

2. Carry out preventative action

2.1. Information and advice is promptly disseminated to relevant personnel.

2.2. Preventative action is determined according to the known effects on livestock, crops and work tasks.

2.3. Actions to minimise loss and damage are implemented.

2.4. Livestock, horticultural or crop management program or schedule of work tasks are adjusted and revised according to weather and climatic changes.

3. Monitor weather and climate

3.1. Regular updates are accessed to determine ongoing suitability of current programs.

3.2. Viability of livestock, horticultural or crop management practices are reviewed to ensure suitability within meteorological conditions.

3.3. Research on forecasting techniques is undertaken to maintain currency of information.

3.4. Relevant information is documented and recorded according to enterprise requirements.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• monitor physical signs of weather in the context of available information
• relate forecasts to impact on current operations and activities
• communicate information on weather and situations that may be impacted
• use literacy skills to follow sequenced written instructions and record information accurately and legibly
• 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 

• effects of wind and rain on wind chill
• effects of wind shear and wind chill exposure
• enterprise and industry policies for monitoring weather and climate conditions, and recording and reporting weather and climate conditions.
• weather and climate conditions impact upon farming and grazing activities
• working knowledge of climate and weather
• effects of wind chill on metabolism of animals
• effects of prolonged dry periods on pastures and animal production, and natural resources
• effects of extreme heat on animals, including during birthing, and effects of heat stress on neonates
• relevant legislative health and OHS requirements, especially as they relate to weather and climate monitoring and preparations for hazardous weather.

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:

• monitor and interpret weather information
• communicate warnings and concerns
• identify weather and climate conditions and its impact upon farming and grazing activities
• follow directions to minimise loss and damage to staff, livestock, crops, property and produce
• review farm enterprises and operations for weather risk.

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.

Weather information may include:

• reports
• warnings
• data collected from property weather stations
• internet research
• grazier alerts.

Unit sector 

Work

Co-requisite units 

Competency field