Interested in a simple Skills Scan and Learning Progress Tracker tool for the General farm worker standard?
Knowledge
K1: How to prepare risk assessments including identifying risks and hazards on the farm, and where to get advice and guidance
K2: The importance of biosecurity and how it is managed
K3: How animal welfare requirements are met and signs of health and, or ill health in livestock (cattle: beef and dairy, pigs, sheep and goats). The zoonotic, non-zoonotic and notifiable diseases (for example, BSE) and their impact on human health
K4: The responsibilities relating to movement of livestock, under health and safety and animal welfare legislation, regulation and local policy.. This should include suitable methods of restraint and handling for stock of different ages.
K5: How to prepare and operate agricultural vehicles and attachments in accordance with relevant legislation. For example, tractor, quad bike, All Terrain Vehicle (ATV), Forklift
K6: Concepts of good environmental, social and economic practice, including regulations, subsidies and basic understanding of how to contribute to government-led sustainability and zero carbon targets
K7: The significance of producing crops to specifications and how this can be achieved.
K8: The most commonly used technology or automation options. For example, Robotic milking, EID tagging, GPS tracking and why maintenance is needed.
K9: The importance of reducing waste, waste legislation and how this can be implemented in the workplace.
K10: How to identify the quantity and quality of grass for grazing and crops for forage production, for livestock at different stages of production.
K11: Feed, nutritional and water requirements of livestock at different stages of production
K12: Basics of reproductive system of male and female livestock. Methods of service to aid conception (for example, artificial insemination, natural conception), pregnancy, parturition and problems that could occur during the reproductive cycle.
K13: The reasons for monitoring growth of crops including the impact of weather and, or ground conditions, pests, diseases, weeds
K14: The process of taking soil samples to identify different soil types and their impact on crops, seed rate and method of establishment
K15: Correct labelling of resources for transport, assessment of the most appropriate method of transport, safe and correct loading, securing, protection of the load during transportation within the parameters of the farm business
K16: The basic principles of sustainable agriculture and Integrated Crop Management (ICM)
K17: The manual and electronic records that need to be completed and the importance of doing them
K18: The principles and importance of maintaining farm buildings, field boundaries and fences (electrified and non-electrified). This includes the legal and safety ramifications if maintenance is ineffective.
K19: Different customer requirements for product quality.
K20: The five welfare needs of animals: a. its need for a suitable environment (cleanliness and manure management) b. its need for a suitable diet (and water) c. Its need to exhibit normal behaviour patterns d. any need to be housed with, or apart from, other animals in appropriate social groupings e. its need to be protected from fear, pain, suffering, injury and disease injury and disease including legal and appropriate, to livestock’s species and age, euthanasia.
Skills
S1: Identify hazards and risks in the workplace, prepare risk assessments and demonstrate high level of health and safety awareness at all times.
S2: Maintain the correct hygiene and bio-security procedures for the site, in accordance with relevant legal requirements
S3: Check that animal welfare needs related to their environment and housing are maintained, including manure management, ensuring the suitability of indoor and outdoor environment and bedding up of animals
S4: Assist with safe restraint, moving and handling of livestock.
S5: Legally operate a farm vehicle and each attachment according to health and safety requirements. For example, tractors and ATVs along with other vehicles integral to the business.
S6: Demonstrate good environmental practice in the workplace, in accordance with environmental assessment plans and associated legal requirements
S7: Assist with post-harvest activities to meet crop and forage specifications, in a safe and environmentally acceptable way
S8: Carry out maintenance of farm infrastructure (including housing for livestock, boundaries and electric or non-electric fences), machinery and equipment, as instructed
S9: Monitor and maintain health & welfare of livestock and assist with treatments when appropriate.
S10: Monitor the quantity and quality of grass and forage crops and report findings to appropriate person.
S11: Provide feed and water to livestock as instructed and report any issues to appropriate person
S12: Assist with caring for livestock during the reproductive cycle, from service to weaning. For example, identify signs of heat.
S13: Assist with the preparation of the ground, including identification of soil condition through soil sampling and preparing crop for planting
S14: Load, unload and complete paperwork for transportation of resources manually and using loading equipment, according to instruction
S15: Monitor the growth and development of crops in line with customer specification, as instructed
S16: Complete manual and electronic records in accordance with legislation and the business processes.
S17: Produce products for sale from the business (for example, milking, shearing, lambing, harvesting)
Behaviours
B1: Acts responsibly to provide a high standard of welfare and biosecurity to livestock and crops under their care.
B2: Have a team-based approach to work
B3: Is customer focused
B4: Proactively undertakes continuous professional development
B5: Able to adapt to change in conditions, technologies, situations and working environments.
B6: A clear and effective communicator
B7: Able to give and receive information timely and accurately
B8: Ability to use own initiative and know when to seek help
B9: Work proactively with internal and external people to achieve positive outcomes
Core occupation duties
DUTY: Undertake “safe and effective” activities as instructed and actively record daily activity. For example, cleaning machinery, monitoring and recording livestock (livestock checks)
K1
K2
K3
K4
K11
K18
K19
K20
S1
S2
S16
B2
B4
B5
B6
B7
B9
DUTY: Operate within strict bio-security practices. For example, implementing visitor policy
K1
K2
S1
S2
B1
B3
DUTY: Maintain a satisfactory environment for the animals such as ensuring clean bedding, water and shelter
K3
S3
B1
DUTY: Restrain and handle animals in a safe and appropriate manner
K1
K4
S1
S4
B1
DUTY: Operate agricultural vehicles relevant to the business safely, legally and in line with current legislation
K5
S1
S5
B1
B2
B5
B9
DUTY: Recognise environmental risk and carry out operations to minimise environmental impact, such as avoiding pollution of soil, air and water courses. Check and maintain field boundaries
K1
K6
S1
S6
B1
B2
B5
B9
DUTY: Prepare and maintain crop/forage storage as instructed. Including monitoring pests and vermin in crop or bulk bins and temperature monitoring
K7
S1
S7
B1
B2
B3
B5
B6
B7
B8
DUTY: Monitor and maintain farm infrastructure, machinery and non-production areas as instructed. For example, checking oil in farm machinery, maintaining fences, general building maintenance
K8
K18
S8
B6
B7
B9
DUTY: Implement effective storage and disposal of waste in accordance with regulation; such as chemicals, sharps, organic and non-organic waste
K9
S6
B6
B7
B9
livestock worker duties
DUTY: Carry out routine health and welfare checks on livestock and report on health and production performance when this is abnormal. This includes administration of routine treatments, under supervision and engaging with third parties such as vets
K1
K2
K3
K4
K11
K18
K19
K20
S1
S2
S16
B2
B4
B5
B6
B7
B9
DUTY: Monitor and select grass for either grazing or forage production - recognising and reporting on the growth, health and maintenance of a chosen grassland sward.
K1
K2
S1
S2
B1
B3
DUTY: Feed Animals as per instruction and ensuring fresh water is always accessible
K3
S3
B1
DUTY: Monitor animals prior to, during and post parturition, assisting with associated husbandry tasks
K1
K4
S1
S4
B1
DUTY: Perform relevant stock breeding related tasks under instruction; selection of animals, identification of signs of heat, assisting with service duties
K5
S1
S5
B1
B2
B5
B9
crop worker duties
DUTY: Perform crop and or forage operations as per instruction. For example, combining, plate meter reading
K1
K2
K3
K4
K11
K18
K19
K20
S1
S2
S16
B2
B4
B5
B6
B7
B9
DUTY: Recognise and record (verbally and written) the growth and health of crops
K1
K2
S1
S2
B1
B3
DUTY: Assist with preparation and planting of field scale crops
K3
S3
B1
DUTY: Safely load, unload and transport harvested crops in accordance with legislation and codes of practice
K1
K4
S1
S4
B1
DUTY: Recognise good and poor quality in growing, harvested and stored crops
