AHCORG501 Develop an organic management plan

Release: 1

AHCORG501 Develop an organic management plan

Modification History

Release	TP Version	Comment
1	AHCv1.0	Initial release

Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to develop an organic management plan (OMP).

All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, work health and safety, animal welfare and biosecurity legislation and codes, and sustainability practices.

This unit applies to those producers who develop an OMP to convert an agricultural or horticultural farm to an organic, biological and ecological system. It requires the capability to set objectives to meet organic certification requirements of the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce.

This unit applies to individuals who take responsibility for their own work and for the quality of the work of others within know parameters and use discretion and judgment in the selection, allocation and use of available resources.

No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Pre-requisite Unit

Nil.

Unit Sector

Organic Production (ORG)

Elements and Performance Criteria

Element	Performance criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes.	Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.
1. Locate and access assistance in developing the OMP	1.1 Locate and access sources of support and advice including agricultural extension officers and training programs 1.2 Assess industry publications and internet sources for their value in informing decision making 1.3 Seek and consider contributions of work colleagues and others during planning process 1.4 Access information from certifier and relevant Organic Standards on OMP requirements
2. Design the organic farming system to be described in the OMP	2.1 Develop or obtain map of property to be covered by OMP 2.2 Determine time scale to be addressed in plan 2.3 Collect information on soil fertility and management, and weed, pest, disease and animal health status and their interrelationships to serve as benchmarks for development of management options 2.4 Obtain regional catchment targets for land, water and biodiversity and identify those applicable to property and sub-catchment 2.5 dentify components of OMP that need to be developed 2.6 Develop suitable format for planning documents 2.7 Identify risks to organic integrity for the farm enterprise and outline strategies to manage these risks
3. Develop soil fertility plan	3.1 Undertake or commission a soil fertility assessment of farm production areas 3.2 Map soil types and topography on farm plan 3.3 Develop and document soil fertility plan that amends soil chemistry, soil structure and soil biology, based on assessment of soil test results, enterprise performance, overall budget and intended cropping/grazing regime 3.4 Identify appropriate inputs according to the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce and/or agro-ecological principles 3.5 Document plan according to established format
4. Develop soil management sub-plan	4.1 Determine suitability of land for production based on soil type, slope, aspect and previous use 4.2 Develop soil management plan to enhance soil structure and prevent compaction and water logging 4.3 Identify appropriate inputs according to the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce or agro-ecological principles 4.4 Document sub-plan according to established format 4.5 Identify farm management practices and strategies that enhance soil fertility
5. Develop weed management sub-plan	5.1 Identify problematic weed species and observe weeds as an indicator of soil health 5.2 Identify life cycles of weeds species to inform management options 5.3 Identify appropriate inputs according to the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce or agro-ecological principles 5.4 Develop integrated farming strategies and cultural practices for managing weeds 5.5 Document sub-plan according to established format
6. Develop and design an integrated pest and disease management sub-plan	6.1 Collect and document evidence of pest and disease burden in farming system 6.2 Observe and monitor pests and diseases and their life cycles 6.3 Evaluate evidence of pest and disease burden to develop strategy for management 6.4 Evaluate pests and diseases as indicators of farming system health 6.5 Identify options for addressing pest and disease issues, including improving soil health, cultural practices and system redesign 6.6 Identify appropriate inputs according to the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce or agro-ecological principles 6.7 Document sub-plan according to established format
7. Develop animal health and management sub-plan	7.1 Identify regional and farm-based animal health issues 7.2 Identify options for preventative actions aimed at establishing and maintaining optimal animal health 7.3 Identify options for treating animal health issues 7.4 Develop a sustainable grazing management plan that addresses feed requirements, stocking densities and meets regional catchment land and soil condition targets where applicable 7.5 Develop an animal management program that ensures compliance to organic standards and/or agro-ecological principles 7.6 Document sub-plan according to established format
8. Integrate and finalise the organic management plan	8.1 Integrate sub-plans for soil fertility and management, and weed, pest, disease and animal health 8.2 Develop and implement record-keeping system to track various components of OMP as they are put into practice and reviewed 8.3 Review and update OMP annually noting any changes to farm practices

Foundation Skills

Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range of Conditions

Unit Mapping Information

This unit is equivalent to AHCORG501A Develop an organic management plan.

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=c6399549-9c62-4a5e-bf1a-524b2322cf72