15609 version 3
Page 1 of 4
Demonstrate knowledge of sheep milk production
Level
3
Credits
4
Purpose
People credited with this unit standard are able to demonstrate knowledge of:
the structure and function of the mammary gland of a sheep; the composition
of sheep's milk and factors which influence sheep's milk composition; the
features and operation of the main types of farm diary and milking plant; the
hazards to people of milking a dairy flock; and are able to perform
calculations appropriate to a primary production situation.
Subfield
Agriculture
Domain
Sheep Farming
Status
Registered
Status date
27 November 1998
Date version published
23 April 2008
Planned review date
31 December 2008
Entry information
Open.
Accreditation
Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA, industry
and teaching professional in the same field from another
provider.
Standard setting body (SSB)
Primary Industry Training Organisation
Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP) reference
0052
This AMAP can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Special notes
None.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
15609 version 3
Page 2 of 4
Elements and performance criteria
Element 1
Demonstrate knowledge of the structure and function of the mammary gland of a sheep.
Performance criteria
1.1
Mammary gland structure is described anatomically and each component
named.
1.2
Mammary gland functions are described in terms of components and overall
function.
Element 2
Demonstrate knowledge of the composition of sheep’s milk and factors which influence
sheep milk composition.
Performance criteria
2.1
Composition of milk is described in terms of its components and their
proportions.
Range
fat, protein, lactose, water, minerals.
2.2
The composition of sheep milk is compared with cow and goat milk in terms of
components and their proportions.
2.3
The importance of milk composition is described in terms of how it influences
the sheep milk and sheep breeding markets.
2.4
Factors which affect milk composition and yield are described and their
influence outlined.
Range
breed, age of sheep, time of lactation, season of lambing, feeding,
weather, health, sheep condition.
Element 3
Demonstrate knowledge of the features and operation of the main types of farm dairy and
milking plant.
Range
herringbone, rotary.
Performance criteria
3.1
Farm dairy structures are described in terms of the arrangement of plant,
animals, yards and animal movements.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
15609 version 3
Page 3 of 4
3.2
Types of farm dairy are contrasted by identifying a minimum of 10 advantages
and disadvantages for each.
3.3
The features of a milking plant are described in terms of its components, their
functions and their arrangement and inter-relationships, using internationally
recognised terminology.
3.4
A milking plant is described in terms of its operation.
Range
setting up, operating adjustments and controls, maintenance
(including systems), water quality/quantity, hygiene, plant
contaminants, detergents for cleaning.
Element 4
Demonstrate knowledge of the hazards to people of milking a dairy flock.
Range
zoonosis, scalding, manual handling injuries, injuries from animals, excrement,
machinery, acid and alkali eye and skin contact, animal handling.
Performance criteria
4.1
Hazards are described in terms of their predisposing causes and signs.
4.2
Precautions which can be taken to minimise hazards are described in terms of
elimination, isolation and/or protection.
Element 5
Perform calculations appropriate to a primary production situation.
Performance criteria
5.1
The problem is identified in terms of the desired outcome.
5.2
The relevant information or quantities involved are identified in terms of the
context or situation.
Range
5.3
labels and/or packages and/or instructions and/or expert advice
and/or manuals.
Formula or methods of calculation are identified and justified in terms of the
solution required.
Range
meat, wool, milk withholding periods.
5.4
Calculation is carried out in accordance with accepted mathematical principles.
5.5
Result is checked in terms of the identified desired outcome.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
15609 version 3
Page 4 of 4
Please note
Providers must be accredited by NZQA, or an inter-institutional body with delegated
authority for quality assurance, before they can report credits from assessment against
unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be accredited by NZQA before they can register
credits from assessment against unit standards.
Accredited providers and Industry Training Organisations assessing against unit standards
must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Accreditation requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this
standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The
AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations
wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for
tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact the Primary Industry Training Organisation standards@primaryito.ac.nz if
you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016