National Certificate in Agriculture (Level 4) with strands in Arable Farming, Beef Cattle Farming, Dairy Farming, Deer Farming, and Sheep Farming
Level / 4Credits / 82-130
This qualification has been reviewed. The last date to meet the requirements is 31 December 2018.
Transition Arrangements
Version 3 has been reviewed and replaced by the New Zealand Certificate in Agriculture (Level 4) with strands in Arable Farming, Dairy Farming and Livestock Farming [Ref: 2212]. People currently working towards this replaced qualification may either complete the requirements by December 2018 or transfer their results to the replacement qualification.
Version 4 of this qualification has been republished to extend the last date of enrolment from 31 December 2015 to 31 December 2016, also to extend the last date for assessment from 31 December 2017 to 31 December 2018.
After 31 December 2016 all new trainees will be enrolled in programmes leading to the replacement qualification.
For detailed information see Review Summaries on the NZQA website.
NZQF National Qualification Registration Information
Process / Version / Date / Last Date for Assessment /Registration / 1 / December 2002 / December 2012
Revision / 2 / April 2006 / December 2013
Republished / 2 / November 2009 / December 2013
Review / 3 / July 2011 / December 2017
Review / 4 / November 2013 / December 2017
Republication / 4 / June 2015 / December 2018
Standard Setting Body
Primary Industry Training Organisation
PO Box 10383
The Terrace
Wellington 6143
Telephone 04 801 9616
Fax 04 801 9626
National Certificate in Agriculture (Level 4) with strands in Arable Farming, Beef Cattle Farming, Dairy Farming, Deer Farming, and Sheep Farming
Credits / 82-130
Purpose
This qualification is for people who work largely unsupervised in the agriculture industry. It is designed to recognise the skills and knowledge that people may already have gained through significant industry experience prior to entry.
This qualification may also be suitable for people who are moving into the agriculture industry from a different industry, who will work unsupervised but who may not necessarily have had a background of agriculture skills. These people often have significant life skills and maturity, and the ability to learn much of the underpinning skills and knowledge at the same time as they are enrolled in this qualification. However, it is recommended that these people first complete one of the qualifications listed in the special notes below.
The Core Compulsory section includes knowledge related to fertilisers and soils. The completion of a farm report covers the skill and knowledge related to all aspects of farming brought together into one project.
The Arable Farming, Beef Cattle Farming, Dairy Farming, Deer Farming, and Sheep Farming strands and their respective elective sections allow people to select standards for skills specific to their own farming situation, and farming sector.
The Beef Cattle Farming Strand contains an optional elective related to calving and calf making.
This qualification leads to the National Certificate in Agriculture (Production Management) with strands in Arable Farming, Cattle Farming, Dairy Farming, Deer Farming, and Sheep Farming [Ref: 1188], the National Certificate in Agribusiness Management (Agribusiness Resource Management) [Ref: 1187], the National Certificate in Agribusiness Management (Business Planning and Financial Management) [Ref: 1186], and the National Diploma in Agribusiness Management [Ref:0647].
Special notes
Although this qualification is open entry, it is highly recommended that candidates complete any one of the: National Certificate in Agriculture (Animal Feeding and Pastures) (Level 3) [Ref: 1435]; National Certificate in Agriculture (Animal Health and Husbandry) (Level 3) with strands in Cattle Farming, and Sheep Farming [Ref: 1438]; National Certificate in Agriculture (Cattle Breeding) (Level 3) with strands in Beef Cattle Farming, and Dairy Cattle Farming [Ref: 1436]; or National Certificate in Sheep Farming (Sheep Breeding) (Level 3) [Ref: 1443] prior to award of this qualification.
Credit Range
Core CompulsoryLevel 3 credits / 6
Level 4 or above credits / 13
Minimum totals / 19
Arable Farming Strand
Compulsory / Elective
Level 2 credits / 2 / 0-6
Level 3 credits / 3 / 0-10
Level 4 or above credits / 55 / 0-10
Minimum totals / 60 / 10
Qualification total / 89
Beef Cattle Farming Strand / Dairy Farming Strand
Compulsory / Elective
Level 3 credits / - / - / -
Level 4 or above credits / 63 / 0-20 / 87
Minimum totals / 63 / 0 / 87
Qualification total / 82 / 106
Deer Farming Strand / Sheep Farming Strand
Level 3 credits / 4 / -
Level 4 or above credits / 60 / 111
Minimum totals / 64 / 111
Qualification total / 83 / 130
Requirements for Award of Qualification
Award of NZQF National QualificationsCredit gained for a standard may be used only once to meet the requirements of this qualification.
Unit standards and achievement standards that are equivalent in outcome are mutually exclusive for the purpose of award. The table of mutually exclusive standards is provided on the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) website: http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/qualifications-standards/standards/standards-exclusion-list/.
Reviewed standards that continue to recognise the same overall outcome are registered as new versions and retain their identification number (ID). Any version of a standard with the same ID may be used to meet qualification requirements that list the ID and/or that specify the past or current classification of the standard.
Summary of Requirements
0· Core Compulsory standards
One of the following strands is required
0· Arable Farming Strand
0· Beef Cattle Farming Strand
0· Dairy Farming Strand
0· Deer Farming Strand
0· Sheep Farming Strand
Detailed Requirements
Core Compulsory
The following standards are required
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries > Agriculture > Agribusiness Management
ID / Title / Level / Credit /19035 / Prepare a farm report / 4 / 8
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries > Agriculture > General Agriculture
ID / Title / Level / Credit /19142 / Describe the role of elements and fertilisers in primary production, and soil testing / 3 / 6
24544 / Analyse soil health status, and determine on-farm strategies for improvement / 4 / 5
Arable Farming Strand
Meet the requirements of all of the following sets
0· Arable Farming Strand Compulsory
0· Arable Farming Strand Elective
Arable Farming Strand Compulsory
The following standards are required
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries > Agriculture > Agricultural Vehicles and Machinery
ID / Title / Level / Credit /19044 / Describe the legal requirements and occupational hazards associated with tractor use / 2 / 2
19062 / Cultivate with a tractor with more than one implement / 4 / 5
19063 / Describe methods to maximise tractor efficiency during cultivation / 4 / 4
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries > Agriculture > Arable Farming
ID / Title / Level / Credit /868 / Assist with disposal of crop residues / 3 / 3
869 / Demonstrate knowledge of arable farm production / 4 / 6
19067 / Dry and store a cash crop / 4 / 5
19068 / Plan, monitor, and report on, a crop health supervisory programme / 4 / 4
24618 / Demonstrate knowledge of crop establishment methods / 4 / 6
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries > Agriculture > Farming Skills
ID / Title / Level / Credit /19123 / Demonstrate knowledge of irrigation systems, and calculate soil moisture and water efficiency / 4 / 4
24637 / Demonstrate knowledge of the modification of plant processes to optimise plant production / 4 / 4
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries > Agriculture > General Agriculture
ID / Title / Level / Credit /19141 / Demonstrate knowledge of land management in primary production / 4 / 5
24545 / Plan cultivation for a crop or pasture, and monitor the results of cultivation / 4 / 7
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries > Pest Management > Pest Control
ID / Title / Level / Credit /21559 / Describe, plan, and manage a weed control programme / 4 / 5
Arable Farming Strand Elective
A minimum of 10 credits
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries > Agriculture > Agricultural Vehicles and Machinery
ID / Title / Level / Credit /19061 / Cultivate with tractor drawn implements / 3 / 4
19064 / Prepare to plough, and plough a paddock / 4 / 5
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries > Agriculture > Arable Farming
ID / Title / Level / Credit /19065 / Harvest cash crops / 4 / 7
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries > Agriculture > Farming Skills
ID / Title / Level / Credit /19119 / Set up, operate, and maintain a travelling irrigation system / 3 / 4
19120 / Set up, monitor, and maintain a borderdyke irrigation system / 2 / 3
19122 / Set up, operate, and maintain a non-travelling spray irrigation system / 2 / 3
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries > Agriculture > General Agriculture
ID / Title / Level / Credit /19140 / Demonstrate knowledge of water use and quality, and related land use issues in primary production / 3 / 5
Beef Cattle Farming Strand
Meet the requirements of all of the following sets
0· Beef Cattle Farming Strand Compulsory
0· Beef Cattle Farming Strand Optional Elective
Beef Cattle Farming Strand Compulsory
The following standards are required
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries > Agriculture > Cattle Farming
ID / Title / Level / Credit /19076 / Diagnose and treat ill-health in cattle / 4 / 10
19079 / Assess condition of cattle, determine feed requirements, and feed a herd of cattle / 4 / 8
19085 / Demonstrate knowledge of cattle mating practices and management / 4 / 4
25922 / Describe ill-health in cattle / 4 / 3
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries > Agriculture > Farming Skills
ID / Title / Level / Credit /19101 / Describe methods to maximise pasture production, and pasture renovation and renewal / 4 / 5
19109 / Demonstrate knowledge of the sale and purchase of livestock / 4 / 5
19117 / Demonstrate knowledge of meat production / 4 / 7
24627 / Describe a feed budget, and the management of pasture surplus or deficit / 4 / 8
25375 / Plan, implement, and record a health programme for livestock / 4 / 10
25829 / Demonstrate knowledge of livestock breeding methods and programmes / 4 / 3
Beef Cattle Farming Strand Optional Elective
A minimum of 0 standards
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries > Agriculture > Cattle Farming
ID / Title / Level / Credit /19078 / Implement mating and monitor calving of a beef herd / 4 / 12
25374 / Prepare for, and carry out, calf marking / 4 / 8
Dairy Farming Strand
The following standards are required
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries > Agriculture > Cattle Farming
ID / Title / Level / Credit /19076 / Diagnose and treat ill-health in cattle / 4 / 10
19079 / Assess condition of cattle, determine feed requirements, and feed a herd of cattle / 4 / 8
19085 / Demonstrate knowledge of cattle mating practices and management / 4 / 4
25922 / Describe ill-health in cattle / 4 / 3
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries > Agriculture > Dairy Farming
ID / Title / Level / Credit /18197 / Demonstrate knowledge of how to produce premium quality cow's milk / 4 / 4
19090 / Clean and maintain the milking plant / 4 / 8
19091 / Manage a dairy herd during milking and drying off / 4 / 8
25378 / Implement and monitor a planned mating programme for a dairy herd / 4 / 8
25379 / Implement and monitor a planned calving programme for a dairy herd / 4 / 8
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries > Agriculture > Farming Skills
ID / Title / Level / Credit /19101 / Describe methods to maximise pasture production, and pasture renovation and renewal / 4 / 5
24627 / Describe a feed budget, and the management of pasture surplus or deficit / 4 / 8
25375 / Plan, implement, and record a health programme for livestock / 4 / 10
25829 / Demonstrate knowledge of livestock breeding methods and programmes / 4 / 3
Deer Farming Strand
The following standards are required
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries > Agriculture > Deer Farming
ID / Title / Level / Credit /1521 / Demonstrate knowledge of deer breeding methods and programmes / 4 / 3
1530 / Demonstrate knowledge of deer mating management / 4 / 4
8621 / Maintain the health of deer / 5 / 6
8623 / Plan and coordinate pasture management and the feeding of deer / 4 / 7
8628 / Manage a deer herd before, during, and after fawning / 5 / 10
15599 / Demonstrate knowledge of velvet antler harvesting / 4 / 4
19095 / Demonstrate knowledge of the sale, purchase, and transportation of deer / 3 / 2
24818 / Handle, move, and treat deer / 4 / 6
24820 / Handle stags in a mob during mating / 3 / 2
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries > Agriculture > Farming Skills