NZQA registered unit standard
20563 version 3
Page 1 of 4
Title
Demonstrate knowledge of nursery production systems
Level
3
Credits
6
Purpose
People credited with this unit standard are able to describe:
nursery production methods on a specific nursery property; the
preparation of a production plan for a twelve month period; how
costs impact on nursery crop production; marketing and
distribution methods of nursery plants; and describe the
nursery ownership and management structure for a specific
nursery property.
Classification
Horticulture > Nursery Production
Available grade
Achieved
Explanatory notes
A specific nursery property should be used as the basis for this unit standard. The specific
nursery property must be real and can be a property that the candidate works on, or any
other nursery property that the candidate has access to.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Describe nursery production methods on a specific nursery property.
Evidence requirements
1.1
Significant factors affecting the location of the nursery are identified.
Range
1.2
The nursery production methods used are described in terms of buyer or user
requirements, and the types of plants grown.
Range
1.3
may include site topography and aspect, land use zoning, soil,
drainage, climate, water supply, market location, transport, labour
supply, costs, wastage.
may include in the field, in containers, in plant houses, outdoors.
The setting and implementation of quality standards for the plants grown are
described.
Primary Industry Training Organisation
SSB Code 101558
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
20563 version 3
Page 2 of 4
Outcome 2
Describe the preparation of a production plan for a twelve month period.
Evidence requirements
2.1
The information needed to prepare a production plan, and its sources, are
listed.
Range
may include but is not limited to – plant species or cultivars, plant
numbers to achieve saleable plants target, the space required and
when needed, labour requirements and when needed, materials
and equipment required, best practice techniques, nursery
hygiene, costs.
2.2
The preparation of the production plan is outlined.
2.3
The monitoring of the plant progress against the production schedule and the
managing of any variations are described.
Outcome 3
Describe how costs impact on nursery crop production.
Evidence requirements
3.1
Costs involved in producing a nursery crop for sale are described in terms of
how they impact on the final plant costs.
Range
direct costs, labour costs, soil and media, plants, materials,
wastage, time, yields and deaths, indirect costs.
Outcome 4
Describe marketing and distribution methods of nursery plants.
Evidence requirements
4.1
Methods used to market nursery plants to users or buyers are described in
terms of current industry practices.
Range
4.2
may include wholesale selling, contract growing, direct to public
sales.
Marketing and promotional material to aid the sales of nursery plants is
described, and its use or not is justified.
Range
may include labelling, container branding, sleeves, posters,
website, advertisements in publications.
Primary Industry Training Organisation
SSB Code 101558
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
4.3
20563 version 3
Page 3 of 4
Methods used to distribute nursery plants to users or buyers are described with
reasons.
Range
may include road transport contractor, nursery owned vehicle,
courier service, gate sales.
Outcome 5
Describe the nursery ownership and management structure for a specific nursery property.
Evidence requirements
5.1
Nursery ownership structures are described in terms of the advantages and
disadvantages to the operation.
Range
may include public company, private company, sole trader,
partnership; two advantages, two disadvantages.
5.2
The nursery management structure is outlined in terms of the specific nursery
property.
5.3
The specific nursery’s management procedures are described in terms of their
effects on the sustainable use of resources.
Range
may include soil use, soil-less growing media ingredients, fuel,
electricity, water, disposal of both plant and non-plant waste
material.
Replacement information
This unit standard replaced unit standard 1798.
Planned review date
31 December 2017
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process
Version Date
Last Date for Assessment
Registration
1
23 February 2004
31 December 2014
Revision
2
24 February 2006
31 December 2014
Review
3
19 April 2012
N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference
0032
This CMR can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Primary Industry Training Organisation
SSB Code 101558
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
20563 version 3
Page 4 of 4
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA,
before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses
of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by
NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and
which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that
applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies
to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR). The
CMR 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.
Primary Industry Training Organisation
SSB Code 101558
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016