Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the skills and knowledge required to identify, select and purchase livestock according to customer requirements and within enterprise livestock budgets. The selection, purchasing and transport of livestock has implications for the quality of the product and the profitability of the enterprise.

Application of the unit 

In a meat industry context, individuals working at this level exercise considerable responsibility and accountability within enterprise structures and are required to make primary contributions to the values, goals and operations of the enterprise. They will typically have responsibility for the establishment and review of systems for the site or department. They may work with the assistance of external experts to develop plans and strategies.

Their responsibilities may include management of cost centres or departments operating semi-autonomously within guidelines of the parent enterprise or company (e.g. retail meat departments, boning rooms, food service and meat retail, domestic and export establishments, medium and large enterprises and small business employing fewer than 100 workers).

This unit is of particular interest to livestock buyers but may also have relevance for production and finance personnel.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Identify livestock markets

1.1. Livestock markets and methods are identified and selected to meet enterprise requirements.

1.2. Risks associated with the purchase of inappropriate livestock are analysed and risk management strategies identified.

1.3. Regulatory requirements  relating to the sale and purchase of livestock are identified.

1.4. Networks and alliances to ensure access to markets are established, and market intelligence  is gained, according to legal and enterprise ethical requirements.

2. Select  livestock

2.1. Enterprise specifications  and requirements for livestock are confirmed, including Quality Assurance (QA) arrangements for and with producers.

2.2. Livestock inspection procedures are conducted according to Occupational Health and Safety  (OH &S ) and animal welfare requirements.

2.3. Livestock are selected according to enterprise and customer specifications.

3. Purchase  livestock

3.1. Market conditions are analysed and trends in livestock quality and prices are monitored.

3.2. Terms of sale are negotiated according to enterprise requirements.

3.3. Livestock budget is monitored and corrective action is taken to address variations.

3.4. Documentation  relating to purchase or sale is completed.

4. Transport livestock

4.1. Transport of livestock is negotiated according to enterprise and animal welfare requirements.

4.2. Transport of livestock is negotiated according to enterprise production schedules and requirements.

5. Evaluate livestock purchases

5.1. Quality of livestock is monitored against customer specifications and enterprise requirements.

5.2. Strategies for improving quality of purchases are recommended and implemented.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

Ability to:

• apply relevant communication  and mathematical skills 
• assess livestock against enterprise specifications and determine fitness for purpose (suitability for customer requirements and ability to meet customer specifications), including the identification of species and breeds in stockyards or paddocks and calculating dressed carcase weight to determine yield and product price
• communicate effectively with producers to provide feedback on enterprise requirements including the presentation of livestock
• complete purchase documents accurately
• develop open and constructive relationships with key livestock sales and transport personnel 
• estimate expected yield from species and breeds
• evaluate industry methods for purchasing livestock and determine methods suitable for the enterprise
• gather and interpret processing and sales data, including customer feedback to analyse quality of livestock purchased
• identify and apply relevant OH&S and workplace requirements 
• identify potential alliances, key stakeholder  networks and information sources  to facilitate enterprise access to required livestock and livestock markets
• interpret the implications of enterprise forecasts of orders and sales for the purchase of livestock
• manage livestock budget including analysis of livestock market trends and enterprise purchase history to determine quality and price parameters, calculating average purchase price per kilo and balancing purchase prices to achieve livestock budget targets
• negotiate enterprise requirements for transport of livestock with carrier  including animal welfare requirements, enterprise production schedules and enterprise budget requirements
• obtain and secure documentation relating to livestock status, purchase and transport
• prepare livestock purchasing plans to meet enterprise forecasts of orders and sales including liaison with enterprise personnel to identify production livestock schedules and requirements, analysing enterprise orders and sales, and confirming livestock specifications
• present reports according to legal and enterprise requirements
• use available communication and information technology to record, monitor and analyse livestock purchase data, including fat scores, prices and pricing structures

Required knowledge 

Knowledge of:

• characteristics of different species and breeds and their suitability for the enterprise's product
• identification of animals using brands, tags and tattoos
• international, national and local factors affecting the livestock market and describe the implications for the enterprise's operations
• livestock classification and conformation or scoring system
• customer specifications and the implications for the selection and purchase of stock (e.g. required product or cuts, European Union (EU) closed system, Japanese ox)
• enterprise ethical standards and the implications for operations in the livestock market
• producer QA  programs including 'Cattle Care' and 'Flock Care'
• regulatory requirements affecting the purchase and transportation of livestock
• effects of transportation on livestock and product quality
• symptoms of infectious and non-infectious diseases to be identified or eliminated when assessing livestock

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 

The meat industry has specific and clear requirements for evidence. A minimum of three forms of evidence is required to demonstrate competency in the meat industry. This is specifically designed to provide evidence that covers the demonstration in the workplace of all aspects of competency over time.

These requirements are in addition to the requirements for valid, current, authentic and sufficient evidence.

Three forms of evidence means three different kinds of evidence - not three pieces of the same kind. In practice it will mean that most of the unit is covered twice. This increases the legitimacy of the evidence.

All assessment must be conducted against Australian meat industry standards and regulations.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

Competency must be demonstrated through sustained performance over time, at an appropriate level of responsibility and authority under typical operating and production conditions for the enterprise.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Resources may include:

• a real work environment
• access to stockyards
• relevant equipment and materials
• relevant documentation such as:

• customer and workplace specifications
• electronic and online livestock data
• manufacturer instructions or operations manuals
• regulatory requirements
• workplace policy and procedures.

Method of assessment 

Recommended methods of assessment include:

• a third-party referee report of sustained performance at an appropriate level of authority and responsibility
• assignment focusing on the understanding and application of principles and theory to workplace operations
• simulation
• workplace projects with focus on company environment and conditions.

Assessment practices should take into account any relevant language or cultural issues related to Aboriginality or Torres Strait Islander, gender, or language backgrounds other than English. Language and literacy demands of the assessment task should not be higher than those of the work role.

Guidance information for assessment 

A current list of resources for this unit of competency is available from MINTRAC www .mintrac .com .au  or telephone 1800 817 462.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Regulatory requirements  may include:

• animal welfare
• appropriately accredited saleyards
• commercial law including fair trading, trade practices
• consumer law
• corporate law, including registration, licensing, financial reporting
• environmental and waste management, sustainable work practices
• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), anti-discrimination and sexual harassment
• Export Control Act
• hygiene and sanitation requirements
• industrial awards, agreements
• relevant regulations and Australian Standards
• state, territory and federal regulations regarding meat processing
• taxation law.

Market intelligence  may be local, national and international and may be provided by:

• communications media (e.g. radio, TV, newspapers and internet)
• government agencies:

• Department of Primary Industries and Energy (DPIE)
• Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE)
• Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)
• Aus Industry/AusTrade

• industry associations
• research agencies and publications (e.g. MLA, Feedback)
• specialist journals and press (e.g. breeder or producer, economic, agricultural and manufacturing)
• standard yield analysis systems and standard costing arrangements
• stock and station agents.

Selection  of suitable cattle may be determined by:

• age, sex, size, condition
• breed or strain
• chemical application history
• cost
• end use
• feed history
• health anomalies
• number
• pregnancy status
• production records
• weight, fat cover, muscling.

Enterprise specifications  may include:

• availability and delivery dates
• body conformation requirements
• number or head
• species and breeds
• use of AUS-MEAT language and descriptors.

OH &S  requirements may include:

• animal or manual handling
• confined spaces operations
• enterprise OH&S policies, procedures and programs
• OH&S legal requirements
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) which may include:

• ear plugs or muffs
• eye and facial protection
• head-wear
• lifting assistance
• uniforms
• waterproof clothing
• work, safety or waterproof footwear

• requirements set out in standards and codes of practice
• zoonotic diseases.

Methods of purchasing  livestock may include:

• Computer Aided Livestock Marketing (CALM)
• direct from feedlots
• forward contracting
• out of the paddock
• saleyard.

Documentation  and certification of livestock may include:

• breeding
• chemical residue clearance
• electronic tagging or chips
• exotic and notifiable diseases
• feed history
• Hormonal Growth Promotants (HGP) status
• National Livestock Identification System (NLIS)
• National Residue Survey (NRS)
• tail tags
• treatment and with holding periods.

Communication  may:

• be inclusive of the cultural, ethnic and social diversity of individuals and groups
• include use of data bases, e-commerce systems, grading and scoring systems
• involve use of negotiation, persuasion and assertiveness skills
• occur in a variety of sensitive, conflictive, collaborative and supportive environments
• be formal or informal and involve face-to-face and technological and electronic methods
• require analysis and presentation of complex concepts, technical information, mathematical information and other data in simple or complex formats
• require preparation of reports which may be complex, contain information from a range of technical sources and include mathematical and graphic information and data.

Mathematical skills  may relate to:

• complex actual and hypothetical technical and financial modelling
• calculations and interpretation and analysis mathematical information such as:
• product and product quality
• financial operations
• personnel
• operations
• sales and turnover
• exports.

Livestock sales and transport personnel  may include:

• auctioneers
• livestock breeders or producers
• stock and station agents
• transport vendors, drivers, agents.

Workplace requirements  may include:

• enterprise-specific requirements
• OH&S requirements
• QA requirements
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• the ability to perform the task to production requirements
• work instructions.

Key stakeholders  may include:

• company owners, directors, shareholders and financiers
• competitors
• management and employees
• suppliers, customers, consumers
• unions and employer associations.

Information sources  for livestock purchases may include:

• electronic marketing
• private consultations
• rural news, rural newspapers
• stock and station agents
• word of mouth.

Carrier's  terms of engagement may include:

• cost per kilometre
• number per truck or deck or selection
• points (long trip)
• quality of service
• time for trip.

Producer QA arrangements  may include:

• Cattle Care
• EU closed system or HGP status
• Flock Care
• QA Certification feedlots.

Unit sector 

Co-requisite units 

Competency field