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Title / Apply fertiliser using mounted or trailed equipment
Level / 3 / Credits / 6
Purpose / People credited with this unit standard are able to: check, maintain, attach, and detach an implement used to distribute fertiliser; plan a systematic work pattern; and carry out fertiliser application using a mounted implement or trailed equipment.
Classification / Agriculture > Agricultural Vehicles and Machinery
Available grade / Achieved
Explanatory notes
1Vehicles commonly used for the application of fertiliser using mounted or trailed equipment include quad bikes, light utility vehicles (LUVs) and tractors.
2Definitions
A quad bike (previously known as an ATV) is a vehicle with handlebars and equipment that is principally designed for off-road use in a workplace and excludes racing quad bikes or quad bikes modified for other purposes. A quad bike has the following features – four wheels with low pressure tyres, engine capacity exceeding 90cc, gross weight of less than 1000kg. Most quad bikes have fixed rear axles and thumb operated throttle controls.
A light utility vehicle (LUV) (previously known as an ATVU or SPV) is a lightweight vehicle (less than 1000kg), principally designed for off-road use, with a steering wheel and side-by-side seating for at least one passenger. A LUV has some or all of the following features – a carry tray, rollover protection bars, a minimum of four wheels, low pressure tyres, automatic transmission, differential.
Best management practices refer to the practices described in the Code of Practice for Nutrient Management, New Zealand Fertiliser Manufacturer’s Research Association Incorporated (NZFMRA), 2007, available from
Workplace procedures refer to verbal and written instructions to staff on procedures for machinery use, maintenance, and safety.
3Assessment cannot be carried out by applying animal health products such as calcined magnesite because these products do not require detailed calibration.
4Legislation relevant to this unit standard includes but is not limited to the – Land Transport Act 1998, Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, Resource Management Act 1991 (and related regional council rules), and their subsequent amendments.
5References
- The Spreadmark Code of Practice, whichprovides the standard for the acceptable use of industry-specific terms. This document is updated regularly and is available from Fertiliser Quality Council PO Box 414, Ashburton, New Zealand or from
- Fertmark Code of Practice (2002), Code of Practice for the Sale of Fertiliser in New Zealand. Fertiliser Quality Council, PO Box 414, Ashburton, New Zealand, available from
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Check, maintain, attach, and detach an implement used to distribute fertiliser.
Evidence requirements
1.1Implement is checked for damage, wear, or malfunctions and these are reported in accordance with workplace procedures.
1.2Moving parts are lubricated before and after use in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications and workplace procedures.
1.3Implement is attached and adjusted for use as instructed by the candidate’s supervisor.
Rangeapplication rate, height, blower and/or chain and/or spinner and/or oscillating spout speed.
1.4Implement is emptied and cleaned after use to remove residues in accordance with workplace procedures.
1.5Implement is detached and stored in a safe place and condition in accordance with workplace procedures.
Outcome 2
Plan a systematic work pattern.
Evidence requirements
2.1A systematic work pattern is planned which takes into account the changes in stability caused by the diminishing weight of fertiliser.
2.2The plan incorporates minimal unproductive effort, travel, and number of turns.
2.3Application of all required fertiliser is encompassed in the plan in accordance with best management practices.
2.4Existing hazards in the area to be fertilised are identified and an escape route is planned.
Outcome 3
Carry out fertiliser application using a mounted implement or trailed equipment.
Evidence requirements
3.1Fertiliser is loaded and applied safely in accordance with the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 and workplace procedures.
3.2Fertiliser is distributed evenly at the rate specified by the candidate’s supervisor, and with no coverage gaps, in accordance with best management practices.
Rangeevidence is required for at least two application rates.
3.3Implement performance is monitored, and action is taken to resolve any malfunctions, in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications and workplace procedures.
3.4Fertiliser application details are recorded in accordance with workplace procedures.
Planned review date / 31 December 2016Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process / Version / Date / Last Date for AssessmentRegistration / 1 / 25 June 2002 / 31 December 2013
Review / 2 / 20 May 2008 / 31 December 2013
Review / 3 / 21 June 2012 / N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference / 0052
This CMR can be accessed at
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 if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
Primary Industry Training OrganisationSSB Code 101558 / New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2019