15609 version 3

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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.

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.

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 labels and/or packages and/or instructions and/or expert advice and/or manuals.

5.3 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.

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 if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.

Ó New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2013