12 September 2023.
AgForce Training delivers this program under a Third Party Agreement on behalf of AgForce Queensland Farmers Limited RTO 1834
Course information
This course teaches students how to plan, prepare and safely conduct cattle spaying using the Willis Dropped Ovary Procedure.
The Animal Care and Protection Act was passed in November 2022 requiring an accreditation scheme for lay spaying. This course allows successful participants eligibility to apply for Lay Spaying accreditation.
Course Structure
On successful completion of the course students will receive a Statement of Attainment for one unit of competency:
AHCLSK338 - Conduct dropped ovary technique procedures for spaying cattle
Course location
The delivery of this course is flexible and can be completed at any time by correspondence or by Recognised Prior Learning (RPL). We also offer a three-day workshop held at your business or in the local area, which is available by demand.
Entry into this course
- Students will be required to complete a pre-training review and complete a pre-enrolment form to evidence their prior experience and current practice.
- Students are required to demonstrate that they are experienced lay spayers or farmers who are spaying their own cattle or providing limited services to other local cattle producers. Additionally, we would accept the evidence for at least 12 months of experience in cattle handling and husbandry, preferably including exposure to preg testing and spaying.
- Individuals who are knowledgeable and hold skills in bovine pregnancy diagnosis and/or artificial insemination procedures are highly suitable for this course.
- If the student has not completed any formal learning at an AQF level 3 or higher, you may be required to complete an LLN diagnostic tool.
Duration
The volume of learning for this short course is 110 hours, based on an individual who does not have prior experience. As AgForce Training requires students to demonstrate they have prior experience through the enrolment process we anticipate the hours to be less.
Recognition of previous work experience and learning
AgForce Training will recognise if a student has prior learning and skills. Through the enrolment process and our designated online platform, we offer a process for the student to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Further details are provided below under Training and Assessment.
Pathways to further study
Students who successfully complete the course can progress to AHC30122 Certificate III in Agriculture. Please note, AgForce Training does not offer this qualification.
Pathway to further employment
Students who successfully complete the course will be eligible to apply for Accreditation as a Lay Spayer, enabling them to be a service provider in the herd fertility management area. In addition, employment pathways can include Cattle Managers, Producers, Supervisors of cattle movements for export, and similar roles.
Training materials
Students will be provided with learning resources to ensure they are able to obtain and absorb the required skills and knowledge prior to assessment. These include Learner guides, chemical labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) that support the delivery and assessment. To complete the course, students will also require the following items for practical assessment:
- Cattle crush and race
- Ovariotomes x 3 sizes (heifer, cow and large cow) plus spares
- Disinfectant and wash buckets with covers/lids or PVC tube with method to hang tube
- Water
- Chlorhexidine or centrimide disinfectant
- Shoulder-length gloves
- Lubricant
- Overalls/aprons
- Safety boots and glasses
- Earmarking pliers or ear tagging pliers and tags
- Diamond sharpener
- Paper towels
Learning Support
AgForce Training provides a Support and Progression system for all students. This system includes policies and processes for the following areas: Student Support Plans, Progress Monitoring, Student Safety, Student Discipline, Financial Hardship, and Complaints and Appeals
AgForce Training will develop individual support plans for any student identified as having a need for additional support. This policy requires personnel involved to excise professional judgment as to the appropriateness of any support plan developed.
AgForce Training will make all reasonable efforts to ensure that resources for any approved support plan are available and are used as described in the plan. AgForce Training will monitor an agreed support plan for efficacy and effectiveness.
Support may be in the form of:
- Academic support including Language Literacy and Numeracy, IT Literacy or similar
- Welfare that may include psychological support (referral), or
- Physical support including as a result of hearing loss, vision impairment, or support due to an injury
Training and Assessment
Correspondence
When completing the course by correspondence, you can work at your own pace and in your own time, with advice available by phone from AgForce trainers. You will receive a Learner Resource (manual) with instructions and an Assessment Guide. You will be required to work through the Assessment Guide and send back fully completed and signed. The final step is a phone interview with the assessor to provide feedback and confirm your assessment responses and overall competence.
Written assessments, phone interviews and video/photos form part of the assessment, and you will be required to practically demonstrate and/or visually record some tasks. Feedback and outcomes, advice, and options for final completion will be provided.
Recognised Prior Learning (RPL)
When completing the course by RPL, students can work through the application at their own pace. You will be provided login details to our online platform where you will be required to provide your RPL evidence of your skills and experience using the Willis Dropped Ovary Technique for spaying cattle.
There are 3 steps to the RPL process:
Step 1 – Complete the Application form along with providing all required evidence
Step 2 – Participate in a Competency Conversation
Step 3 – Demonstrate your practical skills
If you are not successful with the RPL process, you may be required to complete gap training and assessment.
Workshop
When completing the course by workshop, the training duration is generally 3 days. This is dependent on the background and experience of the participants. AgForce Training will make an assessment of the level of experience using a tailored prior experience form. AgForce Training trainers can provide additional assistance during and after the workshop if required.