AQF III BEEF PRODUCTION ASSIGNMENTS
RTE 3714A Maintain and monitor environmental work practices
1. From the product label explain how you would dispose of the following containers
after use- 15L plastic pour-on container, half empty bloat capsule and an empty 100ml
glass Estrumate bottle.
2. What is a noxious weed? Give two examples of noxious weeds that are controlled at
either Farrer or Hillstone. Why are they important and how are they controlled?
3. What is a ‘model code of practice’ and how does it differ to legislation?
Describe the general principles under the cattle code for castration, identification and
dehorning.
4. Give TWO examples of legislation that may affect work place practices when treating
cattle or administering medication.
5. Explain how the Native Vegetation Act may affect land management practices at
Hillstone?
6. What is the Infectious Disease Act? Using an example explain how landholders must
comply?
Assignment: Waste minimisation, land management and conservation of
natural resources, legislation and codes of practice. (Element 1&2)
1.Waste minimisation-Drum muster and chem collect
2.National strategies on weed and pest management-Noxious weed control
3. Model codes of practice and the ‘Cattle Code’
4.‘Duty of care safe’ use and application of chemicals
5.Land management and the Native vegetation Act
6.Infectious Disease Act using examples such as Equine influenza
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RTE3713A Carryout workplace OH&S
1. Identify hazard/risk situations and appropriate responses eg. working as part of a team
in the cattle yards.
2. List organisational OH&S procedures when moving or handling cattle at Farrer or
Hillstone.
3. Compile a list of relevant external contacts with phone numbers eg. Poisons
Information Centre and Local Fire department.
4. Identify and evaluate types and location of PPE.
5. Complete a simulated OH&S audit in the workplace using prepared checklist.
6. Complete hazard/near miss documentation for sample scenario.
7. Describe organisations evacuation/emergency procedure.
8. Identify any gaps and suggest improvements to practice/procedures.
9. Maintain a personal Record book of OH&S issues with evaluative comments.
Assignment: Conduct an ‘on farm’ safety audit to identify hazards and
safety control measures for the school’s cattle handling facility when
performing husbandry operations.
1. Construct a list of all potential hazards when handling stock in this
facility.
2. Assess the risks associated with each hazard in accordance with
enterprise procedures
3. Risks to fellow workers and others and actions taken to reduce them
including appropriate PPE in accordance to husbandry procedures
4. Hazard association with the handling of dangerous substances
including drugs such as the prostaglandins
5. Monitoring and reporting of workplace safety including role of the
OH&S committee
6. Relevant OH&S training to perform such husbandry operations when
working with cattle
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RTE3402A Implement animal health control programs
Research the following information in relation to livestock treatment programs you have
implemented at either Farrer or Hillstone including Biting/ sucking lice, Ostertagia spp,
Haemonchus spp, Clostridial diseases, Leptospirosis, Vibriosis and Ephemeral disease.
Parasite/infection no. 1 Symptoms, life cycle, control and prevention
Parasite/infection no. 2
Parasite/infection no. 3
Parasite/infection no. 4
Assignment: Parasites and infections can cause major problems under
certain conditions. Name four types of parasites and or infections that beef
cattle can suffer with symptoms, life cycle, control and prevention
Parasite/infection no. 1 Symptoms, life cycle, control and prevention
Parasite/infection no. 2
Parasite/infection no. 3
Parasite/infection no. 4
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RTE3105A Carry out Feedlot operations
Feed Mixing
1. What are the three basic parts of the Jetstream feed mixing wagon?
2. Identify three likely hazards with using the Jetstream feed mixing wagon?
3. What two measures are in place to prevent accidents?
4. Identify one problem that mat occur when mixing feed.
5. What maintenance is required for the Jetstream feed mixing wagon?
Feed Ration
1. Give a simple example of a full feedlot ration
2. Why is Barley the preferred grain?
3. What characteristics of wheat may create problems?
4. Why should wheat be roller milled rather than hammer milled?
Feeding Management1. Feedlot bloat, Enterotoxaemia and Lactoacidiosis (grain poisoning). Give cause,
symptoms, treatment and prevention
2. Compare bucket feeding to open trough feeding and to self feeders. Which is
preferred? What is AD LIB feeding?
3. What legislation needs to be considered when operating a feedlot?
4. What is the difference between a B3 steer and a D4 steer?
Assessment: Answer the following questions in relation to information
you have recorded whilst rostered on feed mixing
1. Identify potential hazards associated with the mixing and handling
of feeds.
2. Record daily feed and water requirements.
3. List recipes for feeds mixed.
4. Feed livestock at scheduled time and frequency
5. List details o equipment used
6. Record stock types and numbers.
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RTE4107A Supervise Artificial breeding and/or embryo transfer programs
1. Describe the “Synchronisation” program used at Farrer and list the advantages
over a natural mating? Outline the benefits of synchronisation to Farrer?
2. What females should be included in the program and outline which animals are
less likely to respond to the system of synchronization.
3. Describe behavioural signs of ‘heat’ and what aides are used to assist with heat
detection. Why is it important to accurately detect the onset of ‘standing heat’?
4. Outline the criteria used to select suitable sires for the AI program.
5. State why it would be important to plan your synchronisation program.
6. Describe their role of the following in the AI program- CIDR, prostaglandin,
Ciderol Injection and Kmar’s.
Assignment: The benefits of a program are discussed. Cows are selected
for the program. Semen is selected for the program. The method of
carrying out is decided
1. The benefits of the program are listed in comparison to a natural
mating program
2. Cow selection takes into account: breeding, genetic value, age,
condition score, date since calving, physical structure, health and past
breeding history.
3. The bull selection has considered estimated breeding values and
physical structure. The availability of the semen and cost.
4. The program has been timed to take advantage of suitable calving time
for herd management. The use of natural submission compared to
synchronization has been compared. Various methods of heat detection
have been assessed.
5. The cost of the program has been calculated. The comparison of
artificial insemination to the embryo transfer program is compared.
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RTE3121A Prepare animals for parturition
Nutritional and environmental requirements
1. Draw a simple graph to show how the nutritional needs vary at each stage of
pregnancy and indicate at which stage is nutritional needs are most critical.
2. What are the dangers of carrying too much OR not enough condition at this stage?
3. Describe a simple feeding plan for the last third of pregnancy.
Husbandry procedures
1. Preparing for birthing- describe paddock selection, yard set up and equipment needed.
2. Early separation of heifers from main herd is normal routine. Explain why?
3. List 10 observations or signs of calving (within one month).
4. What information is entered into the calf record book?
5. Identify the hazards and ways of reducing the risks when processing newborn calves.
6. What equipment is needed for processing calves?
7. Indicate which Legislation may be relevant to these operations- OH&S Act, Pesticide
Act, Vendor Declarations?
Safeguard of newborn animals
1. How is White Scour in newborn calves prevented?
2. Describe what causes dystocias and give some management strategies that may help
prevent calving difficulties.
Assignment: Nutritional and environmental requirements, Husbandry
procedures, Safeguard of newborn animals in preparing for calving
1. Why a feed plan is needed i.e. The effects of inadequate nutrition on
animals and newborn
2. Why the nutritional needs of pregnant animals will vary in relation to
breed, weight and condition and number of embryos.
3. Why the nutritional needs of pregnant animals will vary in relation to
pregnancy stage, feeding abnormalities and/or remedial actions.
4. Why the nutritional needs of pregnant animals will vary in relation to
condition of pasture, pasture availability and the weather.
5. What types of feed supplements will be needed eg. Sources of
nutrients, trace elements, vitamins, minerals and energy needs.
6. How to minimise wastage, recycling or re-use procedures
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RTE3136A Comply with industry animal welfare requirements
1. Relevant animal welfare requirements have been determined.
2. Space allowances and stocking densities
3. Feeder and water requirements and shade and shelter
4. Animal welfare guidelines and codes of practice for transport
5. Signs of heat and water stress
6. Record keeping and quality assurance requirements- NVD/waybill
Assignment: Critical control points for penned and transported cattle have been
assessed and determined
1. Relevant animal welfare requirements have been determined.
2. Space allowances and stocking densities
3. Feeder and water requirements and shade and shelter
4. Animal welfare guidelines and codes of practice for transport
5. Signs of heat and water stress
6. Record keeping and quality assurance requirements- NVD/waybill
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RTE2902A Collect and record production data
1. Construct a table showing types of data collected by the Farrer Angus Stud, where the
data is stored and how this data is used.
2. Using 400 day data collected for yearlings What equipment is needed to record production data including calibrated scales,
scanners and measuring tapes

What production data is recorded on worksheets and how is it transferred to data base
software such as HerdMaster. Give examples of how HerdMaster can process this
information.

Explain how problems with data collection including inconsistencies, inaccuracies
and human error may be overcome.

When using performance data to compare individuals, what management strategies
ensure accurate comparisons within your herd?
Assignment: Purpose and use of recorded data and software programs for
storing
1. Types of data collected including phenotypic records, pregnancy
testing, NLIS tags and stock treatments
2. Real time ultra scanning and data recorded at 400 days
3. Equipment needed to record production data including calibrated
scales, scanners and measuring tapes
4. Production data recorded on worksheets and data bases such as
Herdmaster and NLIS
5. Problems with data collection including inconsistencies, inaccuracies
and human error and management groups
6. Safeguards to protect the absolute accuracy of production records
collected
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RTE4109A Oversee marking operations
Answer the following questions following your calf marking work placement1. Mob/herd order determined ( size, age, number, days etc).
2. Marking operations and sequencing determined (e.g. what operations will be carried
out and in what order will they be performed).
3. Explanation for order chosen and why any specific operations included/excluded.
4. What equipment, health treatments and staff resources will be required?
5. Where will the marking operation be conducted?
6. What are the OHS issues that need to be considered?
Assignment: Prepare a marking plan identifying animal groupings,
marking operations, and resources required within enterprise budgetary
constraints
1. Mob/herd order determined
2. Marking operations and sequencing determined (e.g. what operations
will be carried out and in what order will they be performed).
3. Explanation for order chosen and why any specific operations
included/excluded (e.g. mulesing).
4. What equipment, health treatments and staff resources will be required?
5. Where will the marking operation be conducted?
6. What are the OHS issues that need to be considered?
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RTE3901A Comply with industry quality assurance requirements
1. Give an example of a food quality hazard for Beef for each of the following-Stress
from poor handling, Chemical residues and Disease
2. What is LPA and what are the basic components of this program?
3. What is the purpose of NVD/waybill and where are NVD obtained from?
4. Give two examples of an independent QA programmes.
5. Complete the blank NVD form for the following situationYou have consigned 12 angus steers to the abattoir for slaughter on the 30th Sept. All
steers were purchased as weaners on 23rd March and were bred on the same property
(PIC NG500340). They were only treated with Cydectin on the 14th Sept. Whilst on your
property, they were all grazed on the same crop of forage oats. The crop was sprayed
with MCPA on 14th Aug for broadleaf weeds and steers were removed for the 7 days
following spraying. During this period of removal, the steers were supplemented with
‘Nutramarc’ grape by product. The lost NLIS buttons on two steers were replaced with
orange buttons with your PIC NI567066. Your records show another steer (tag number
27) needed to be treated for a foot abscess with Neomycin-penicillin on the 15th Sept.
Assignment:
1. Ask a range of questions to determine candidates understanding of
elements of industry quality assurance standards and hazards which
may apply in standard operating procedures.
2. What are some of the elements of a QA system that should be
considered? Answers should include Hazard Analysis Critical Control
Point (HACCP) charts, work instructions, corrective actions,
monitoring etc.
3. What type of hazards may be found? Answer should include examples
of physical hazards, chemical hazards, biological hazards and food
quality hazards
4. Explain how enterprise policies may affect QA.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of HACCP
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