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Level 3
Credits 80
Purpose People credited with this unit standard are able to: set and adjust the shearing blades and edge for shearing a variable range of sheep; adjust shearing style to meet variables; and monitor blade performance during shearing, and make adjustments.
Subfield Wool Harvesting
Domain
Status
Status date
Date version published
Shearing
Registered
21 August 2009
21 August 2009
Planned review date
Entry information
31 December 2014
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
1 The following documents provide both a source of the national standard as stated in the performance criteria, and useful background information relating to this unit standard –
Shearing Handbook (Christchurch: Tectra Ltd, 2007). ISBN 0-9582522-2-X.
Available from Tectra Ltd., PO Box 7327, Sydenham, Christchurch 8240.
Best practice guideline for the New Zealand shearing industry: A guide for workplaces (Wellington: Department of Labour, 2008), available from http://www.dol.govt.nz.
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2 Definitions
Sustained output – ability to consistently shear at or above minimum industry output requirements, to the pattern, and with minimum stress to the sheep or self.
Minimum industry output requirements
– 13-20 sheep to be shorn in one hour’s continuous shearing following analysis of variables by the assessor. Variables include but are not limited to – sheep breed, class, temperament, condition, combing potential, and staple length. Output requirements must be defined and understood by all parties prior to the assessment.
Minimum industry quality requirements – the minimum number of skin cuts, tassels, second cuts, and ridges acceptable to the assessor during the output assessment, following analysis of variables. Variables include but are not limited to
– sheep breed, class, temperament, condition, combing potential, and staple length. Quality requirements must be defined and understood by all parties prior to the assessment.
On-farm procedures
– the verbal and written instructions on shearing blade setting and adjustment.
3 To build a portfolio of evidence for the assessment of this unit standard trainees are required to maintain a log book detailing the output, quality of shearing, and range of variables, with entries signed off by an employer or contractor. The log book should be maintained until all the evidence requirements as detailed above have been attained.
4 Performance of all aspects of this unit standard should comply with the New Zealand
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (1996), Code of Recommendations and Minimum
Standards for the Welfare of Sheep, Wellington, and its subsequent amendments.
5 Legislation relevant to this unit standard includes but is not limited to the Health and
Safety in Employment Act 1992, and its subsequent amendments.
Element 1
Set and adjust the shearing blades and edge for shearing a variable range of sheep.
Performance criteria
1.1 Shearing blades and edges are set and adjusted in accordance with sheep variables and on-farm procedures.
Range sheep variables – fibre density and length, sheep condition, temperature.
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Element 2
Adjust shearing style to meet variables.
Performance criteria
2.1 The pattern is adjusted to meet individual sheep requirements.
Range pre-lamb belly, cotts, wool pull.
2.2 The number of blows is tailored to meet individual sheep requirements and maximise shearing output.
2.3 Footwork and body positioning are timed to achieve shearing rhythm consistent with the shearing pattern.
2.4 Shearing output and quality are maintained in accordance with minimum industry output requirements and minimum industry quality requirements.
2.5
Element 3
Sheep are handled during shearing in accordance with the Code of
Recommendations and Minimum Standards for the Welfare of Sheep .
Monitor blade performance during shearing, and make adjustments.
Range shearing conditions – wool type, skin type, fleece contamination, temperature.
Performance criteria
Blade performance is monitored and in accordance with shearing conditions. 3.1
3.2 Blades are adjusted and maintained to match shearing conditions, and to maintain optimum shearing performance.
Range includes but is not limited to – grinding, stoning, set, bows.
3.3 Points are maintained to match shearing conditions, and to maintain optimum shearing performance.
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.
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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.
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New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2020