National Certificate in Farming Skills - Work Ready
This qualification is intended for school leavers, people who may have changed careers, or adult learners new to the agriculture industry, all of whom would complete the qualification prior to employment in the agriculture industry.
This qualification is intended to provide people with a broad range of skills from across the agriculture industry that would be utilised over a full farming year.
On completion of the qualification people may choose to further their skills and knowledge through other agriculture industry qualifications such as the
National Certificate in Agriculture - Animal Health and Husbandry , the
National Certificate in Dairy Farming - Milking , the
National Certificate in Deer Farming and the
National Certificate in Sheep Farming - Sheep Breeding .
ELECTIVES SET
A minimum of 70 credits at Level 3 or above from the following sets.
Livestock Handling: A minimum of 10 credits;
Unit Standard
Description
Level
Credit
18
Demonstrate knowledge of animal anatomy and physiology
3
4
575
Use and care for farm horses
3
7
582
Handle livestock when moving and drafting and when livestock are distressed
3
6
19103
Demonstrate knowledge of methods for promoting onfarm livestock health and health problems of livestock
3
8
19111
Demonstrate knowledge of the types, breeds, uses, and health requirements of farm dogs
3
4
19115
Handle and move livestock
3
6
Personal Wellbeing and First Aid:
A minimum of 6 credits of which a minimum of 2 credits at Level 3 or above
Unit Standard
Description
Level
Credit
6400
Manage first aid in emergency situations
3
2
6401
Provide first aid
2
1
6402
Provide resuscitation level 2
1
1
19136
Demonstrate the social requirements for daily living in the rural industry
1
2
19137
Describe the opportunities, advantages, and disadvantages of rural employment
1
2
19145
Describe hydration, nutrition, and sleep in relation to physical well-being of agriculture workers
2
4
23540
Demonstrate knowledge of hazards, hazard control, and the consequences of injury in a rural workplace
2
5
23541
Locate hazards, describe safety procedures, and demonstrate safe work practices in a rural workplace
2
5
23542
Identify factors, and describe how to manage factors, that contribute to injury in a rural workplace
3
4
Vehicles and Machinery: Meet the requirements of 2 of the following sets.ATV Set: A minimum of 4 credits;
Unit Standard
Description
Level
Credit
19048
Apply fertilisers using tractor or All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) with mounted or trailed equipment
3
6
24559
Ride an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) on undulating terrain
3
6
24561
Ride an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) with trailed equipment
3
2
24563
Ride an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) with mounted equipment or a load
3
4
ATVU Set: A minimum of 3 credits;
Unit Standard
Description
Level
Credit
24558
Drive an All Terrain Vehicle Utility (ATVU) on undulating terrain
3
5
24560
Drive an All Terrain Vehicle Utility (ATVU) with trailed equipment
3
3
24562
Drive an All Terrain Vehicle Utility (ATVU) with mounted equipment or a load
3
3
Motorcycle Set: A minimum of 2 credits;
Unit Standard
Description
Level
Credit
19054
Ride a motorcycle on undulating terrain
3
4
19055
Ride a motorcycle with mounted equipment on flat terrain
3
2
Tractor Set: A minimum of 3 credits;
Unit Standard
Description
Level
Credit
24536
Drive a 2 wheel drive tractor with an attached implement on undulating terrain
3
3
24537
Drive a 4 wheel drive tractor with an attached implement on undulating terrain
3
3
24538
Demonstrate knowledge of the dynamics of tractors and implements, and 2WD and 4WD vehicles
3
4
24539
Maintain and use a power take off (PTO) implement attached to a tractor
3
4
Pasture, Soil and Water Management: A minimum of 13 credits;
Unit Standard
Description
Level
Credit
16
Describe pasture plants and production, and ways to optimise pasture growth and utilisation
3
5
19140
Demonstrate knowledge of water use and quality, and related land use issues in primary production
3
5
19142
Describe the role of elements and fertilisers in primary production, and soil testing
3
6
19372
Describe the environmental implications of spreading fertiliser and associated activities
3
2
19373
Demonstrate knowledge of fertiliser, and the implications for handling and spreading fertiliser
3
2
24543
Demonstrate knowledge of the formation, and factors which influence properties, of soils on-farm
3
5
24628
Describe pasture supply and demand, feeds, and grazing systems
3
7
24631
Assist with livestock grazing management, and feed livestock
3
6
Agricultural Resources Machinery and Tools: A minimum of 3 credits;
Unit Standard
Description
Level
Credit
30
Demonstrate knowledge of agricultural/horticultural property water systems
3
3
6917
Operate a chainsaw
3
5
19042
Install agricultural/horticultural drainage systems
3
2
19046
Service and repair agricultural machinery
3
6
Pest Control: A minimum of 5 credits;
Unit Standard
Description
Level
Credit
21554
Demonstrate knowledge of safety with agrichemicals
2
3
21555
Demonstrate knowledge of weeds and their control
2
4
21556
Control weeds under supervision
2
2
21561
Use, maintain, and store agrichemical application safety equipment
2
2
21562
Identify and interpret agrichemical product information
2
2
21564
Prepare to apply, and apply, agrichemicals
3
5
Fencing: A minimum of 9 credits of which a minimum of 6 credits at Level 3 or above;
Unit Standard
Description
Level
Credit
36
Select fencing support materials
3
4
37
Install fencing wire
3
6
561
Install, dismantle, and store temporary electric fences
2
2
572
Demonstrate knowledge of electric fencing components and systems
3
5
573
Construct, energize, and test permanent electric fences
3
10
19131
Demonstrate knowledge of fencing assemblies
3
3
24821
Locate the position of, and install, primary and intermediate posts for fencing
3
6
24822
Install wooden battens for fencing
2
4
24823
Install wire droppers for fencing
2
2
24828
Hang a pre-built gate
3
3
24832
Open and draw out a coil of wire, tie knots, join wire, and prepare wire for transport and storage
2
5
24833
Identify and maintain fencing tools and equipment, and identify fencing construction materials and wire types
2
3
24834
Replace a broken post, and repair a broken wire in fences
2
5
24835
Identify the location of a fault in electric fences, and replace electric fence components
2
3
24836
Describe non-electric fences, fence support materials, and safe practices in fencing
2
2
24837
Describe non-electric fence types and components
3
3
Dairy and Sheep Farming: A minimum of 15 credits;
Unit Standard
Description
Level
Credit
571
Demonstrate knowledge of wool production
3
5
578
Kill and prepare a sheep for dog food
3
5
581
Dock and treat lambs
3
4
18199
Identify and treat milking problems in dairy cattle
3
7
23789
Milk dairy cows and isolate milk unsuitable for collection
3
6
23792
Describe milking machine maintenance, faults, and water quality, and develop cleaning procedures
3
10
23793
Demonstrate knowledge of, evaluate, and monitor, onfarm milking plant cleaning procedures
3
2
24546
Identify and record cows on heat
3
4
24547
Prepare equipment and treatments, restrain and treat dairy cattle, and perform drench calculations
3
6
24549
Isolate milk unsuitable for collection, and clean the milking plant, vats or silos, dairy and yards
3
6
24550
Describe the operation of farm dairy equipment and perform calculations relevant to the farm dairy
3
6
24638
Handle and treat sheep
3
6
24640
Plan a route, and muster and drove a mob of sheep
3
12
Livestock Species: Meet the requirements of 1 of the following sets.
Cattle Set: A minimum of 12 credits of which a minimum of 9 credits at Level 3 or above;
Unit Standard
Description
Level
Credit
10082
Demonstrate knowledge of rearing weaner or replacement cattle
3
4
19074
Prepare for calving and calve a cow as directed
2
5
19075
Demonstrate knowledge of calving, and associated diseases and health disorders
3
3
19086
Demonstrate knowledge of cattle reproductive organs, cycles, and processes
3
7
19087
Demonstrate knowledge of calf rearing from birth to weaning
3
4
24619
Handle and treat cattle
3
6
24620
Describe the safe handling of cattle in yards
2
5
24623
Demonstrate knowledge of breeds and classes of cattle, and identification and records for cattle
2
2
24624
Demonstrate knowledge of cattle genetics and selection
3
5
Deer Set: A minimum of 12 credits of which a minimum of 9 credits at Level 3 or above;
Unit Standard
Description
Level
Credit
1526
Demonstrate knowledge of deer mating
3
4
1532
Demonstrate knowledge of deer reproduction, breeds, classes, identification, and recording
3
4
8620
Assist with preventative health programmes for deer under direct supervision
2
3
8622
Describe, and assist with, fawning and weaning
3
5
8624
Carry out deer grazing management, and feed deer as directed
3
3
19092
Move deer into and around yards, and load and unload, under direct supervision
2
4
19093
Demonstrate knowledge of deer welfare and stockmanship
2
5
24808
Demonstrate knowledge of deer genetics and mating
2
5
24812
Assist with deer grazing management, and feed deer under direct supervision
2
2
24816
Identify status, and maintain records, of deer, under direct supervision
2
4
24817
Handle, move, and treat deer as directed
3
6
Sheep Reproduction and Farm Dogs Set: A minimum of 12 credits of which a minimum of 9 credits at Level 3 or above;
Unit Standard
Description
Level
Credit
10090
Demonstrate knowledge of rearing lambs and hoggets
3
5
19110
Work a farm dog, and maintain its health and welfare
3
5
19111
Demonstrate knowledge of the types, breeds, uses, and health requirements of farm dogs
3
4
19149
Describe lambing, and the procedures for assisting ewes having difficulty lambing
3
4
19157
Demonstrate knowledge of sheep genetics, and ram selection
3
5
24641
Demonstrate knowledge of features, attributes, identification, and records for sheep
2
2
24642
Describe sheep reproductive organs and cycles, and related management practices
3
5
24643
Assist with easy care lambing
2
2
24644
Handle ewes and lambs at lambing
3
4
24645
Prepare, handle, and move rams prior to tupping, and check and report on the mating mob
2
3
General Farming Skills: The balance of credits to achieve a minimum of 120 credits may come from the following
Unit Standard
Description
Level
Credit
15
Describe the end use of crops and factors which affect crop yields, and interpret seed quality
2
2
31
Connect up, and perform repairs and maintenance on an on-farm water supply system
2
2
577
Dag and crutch sheep by machine with prepared equipment
2
5
6916
Demonstrate knowledge of the Approved Code of Practice relating to chainsaw use
2
5
18191
Demonstrate knowledge of safe handling and health problems of dairy cattle, associated with milking
2
3
18192
Demonstrate knowledge of how cows produce milk
2
2
18193
Demonstrate knowledge of farm dairy design, and the effluent system
2
2
19044
Describe the legal requirements and occupational hazards associated with tractor use
2
2
19047
Describe the working principles, maintenance, and servicing of petrol and diesel engines
2
2
19053
Ride a motorcycle on flat terrain
2
3
19081
Describe feed budgeting, feed supply and demand, and methods to manage feed surpluses and deficits
2
3
19106
Assist with handling livestock when moving and drafting, and when livestock are distressed
2
4
19112
Check and report on livestock
2
4
19114
Assist with handling and treatment of livestock
2
6
19116
Demonstrate knowledge of livestock behaviour and animal welfare
2
2
19138
Monitor and interpret weather information
2
4
19143
Perform calculations for primary production situations
2
3
19146
Carry out wool shed tasks during shearing operations
2
5
19147
Describe the activities and hazards in a wool shed during shearing from a farm perspective
2
2
19152
Assist with the preparation and handling of lambs for docking
2
2
20797
Demonstrate knowledge of farm practices and farm animal behaviour
2
3
21907
Demonstrate and apply knowledge of safe welding procedures under supervision
2
3
22174
Demonstrate knowledge of soils and fertilisers
2
5
24542
Demonstrate knowledge of the impact of an agriculture system on soils
2
3
24548
Assist with milking
2
8
24552
Check and drive a basic wheel tractor with an attached implement on flat terrain
2
5
24553
Drive an All Terrain Vehicle Utility (ATVU) on flat terrain
2
3
24554
Ride an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) on flat terrain
2
4
24555
Demonstrate knowledge of the safe operation of a motorcycle
2
3
24556
Demonstrate knowledge of the safe operation of an All Terrain Vehicle Utility (ATVU)
2
3
24557
Demonstrate knowledge of the safe operation of an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV)
2
3
24629
Feed livestock with supplementary feed as directed
2
2
24630
Assist with livestock grazing management, and feed livestock under direct supervision
2
4
24636
Demonstrate knowledge of plants in the agriculture industry
2
3
