Field                   Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

 

Revision of Agriculture, Dairy Farming, and Sheep Farming qualifications

 

National Certificate in Agriculture (Animal Feeding and Pastures) (Level 3) [Ref: 1435]

National Certificate in Agriculture (Cattle Breeding) (Level 3) with strands in Beef Cattle Farming, and Dairy Cattle Farming [Ref: 1436]

National Certificate in Agriculture (Animal Health and Husbandry) (Level 3) with strands in Cattle Farming, and Sheep Farming [Ref: 1438]

National Certificate in Dairy Farming (Animal Health and Husbandry) (Level 3) [Ref: 1441]

National Certificate in Sheep Farming (Sheep Breeding) (Level 3) [Ref: 1443]

 

The Agriculture Industry Training Organisation has revised the qualifications listed above.

 

Date new versions published                                                          May 2011

 

The next qualification review is planned to take place during 2012.

 

Reason for the revision

 

These Level 3 qualifications were originally developed to reflect key areas of interest and speciality in health and husbandry, breeding, feeding, and pasture management in the agriculture industry.  The qualifications have now been revised following feedback from farmers, tutors, and industry representatives about content.  The feedback related mostly to the elective choices available to candidates, and to barriers to assessment given variations in on-farm circumstances.

 

A consultation process, involving key representatives from industry, was undertaken, and all changes made to the qualifications were discussed with farmers and tutors to ensure the revision addressed the needs of all key stakeholders using the qualifications.

 

Main changes resulting from the revision

 

·      Changes were made to elective sections to allow learners to have more choice and flexibility in undertaking standards that recognise the seasonal and on-farm variations of modern farming.

·      To clarify the elective rules in Q1436 and Q1438, strand specific elective sections have been added.

·      The overall credit value and purpose statement of each qualification has been updated to reflect changes.

·      References to other qualifications within each qualification document have also been updated to reflect the new titles.

·      The reference to All Terrain Vehicles (ATV's) has changed to Quad bikes to reflect new Department of Labour guidelines.

 

National Certificate in Agriculture (Animal Feeding and Pastures) (Level 3) [Ref: 1435]

 

Changes to structure and content

·         The overall credit value of the qualification has reduced from 56 credits to 53 credits, however essential skills recognised by the qualification remain the same.

·         Standard 23542 was removed from the compulsory section and included in the elective section to allow for on-farm variances.

·         Standard 19142 was added to the elective section to allow for on-farm variances.

·         The elective rule has changed from a minimum of 15 credits as specified to a minimum of 17 credits as specified.

·         Optional standards elective has been added to the qualification for obtaining underpinning skills or knowledge that may be required to reflect on-farm variations.

 

This qualification contains standards that replace earlier standards.  For the purposes of this qualification, people who have gained credit for the expiring standards are exempt from the requirement to gain credit for the replacement standards - see table below.

 

Credit for

Exempt from

14490, 14491

23542

19058

24558, 24559

19059

24560, 24561

19060

24562, 24563

19102

24628

 

National Certificate in Agriculture (Cattle Breeding) (Level 3) with strands in Beef Cattle Farming, and Dairy Cattle Farming [Ref: 1436]

 

Changes to structure and content

·         The overall credit value of the qualification has reduced from 50 credits to 42 credits for the Beef Cattle Farming strand and 47 credits for the Dairy Cattle Farming strand, however essential skills recognised by the qualification remain the same.

·         The general elective section was removed from the qualification and an elective section was included in each respective strand.

·         Standard 23542 was removed from the core compulsory section and included in the elective section of each strand to allow for on-farm variances.

·         Standard 19074 was removed from the core compulsory section and included in the compulsory section of the Dairy Cattle Farming strand and included in the elective section of the Beef Cattle Farming strand to allow for on-farm variances.

·         Standard 24622 was removed from the Beef Cattle Farming Strand compulsory section and included in the elective section of both the Beef Cattle Farming and Dairy Cattle Farming strands to allow for on-farm variances.

·         The Beef Cattle Farming strand has been changed to include a set of elective standards.  A minimum of 7 credits within the elective is required at level 3.

·         The Dairy Cattle Farming strand has been changed to include a set of elective standards.  A minimum of 3 credits within the elective is required at level 3.

 

This qualification contains standards that replace earlier standards.  For the purposes of this qualification, people who have gained credit for the expiring standards are exempt from the requirement to gain credit for the replacement standards - see table below.

 

Credit for

Exempt from

14490, 14491

23542

18198

24546

19058

24558, 24559

19059

24560, 24561

19060

24562, 24563

19082

24623, 24624

 

National Certificate in Agriculture (Animal Health and Husbandry) (Level 3) with strands in Cattle Farming, and Sheep Farming [Ref: 1438]

 

Changes to structure and content

·         The overall credit value of the qualification has reduced from 51 credits to 42 credits for the Cattle Farming strand and 45 credits for the sheep farming strand, however essential skills recognised by the qualification remain the same.

·         The general elective section was removed from the qualification and an elective section was included in each respective strand.

·         Standards 19115, 23542, and 24631 were removed from the compulsory section and included in the elective sections of each strand to allow for on-farm variances.

·         Standards 571, 19110, 24634, and 24639 were added to the elective sections of each strand to allow for on-farm variances.

·         Standard 24622 was added to the elective section of the Cattle Farming strand.

·         Standard 26417 replaced expiring standard 24620 in the Cattle Farming Strand.

·         The Cattle Farming strand has been changed to include a set of elective standards.  A minimum of 16 credits is required within the elective at level 3.

·         The Sheep Farming strand has been changed to include a set of elective standards.  A minimum of 12 credits within the elective is required at level 3.

 

This qualification contains standards that replace earlier standards.  For the purposes of this qualification, people who have gained credit for the expiring standards are exempt from the requirement to gain credit for the replacement standards - see table below.

 

Credit for

Exempt from

14490, 14491

23542

19058

24558, 24559

19059

24560, 24561

19060

24562, 24563

19113

24619, 24638

24620

26417

 

National Certificate in Dairy Farming (Animal Health and Husbandry) (Level 3) [Ref: 1441]

 

Changes to structure and content

·         The overall credit value of the qualification has remained the same.

·         Standard 23542 was removed from the compulsory section and included in the elective section to allow for on-farm variances.

·         Standards 18191 and 18192 were added to the elective section to cover dairy health requirements on-farm.

·         The elective rule has changed from a minimum of 1 standard to a minimum of 6 credits, of which at least 3 credits must be at level 3.

 

This qualification contains standards that replace earlier standards.  For the purposes of this qualification, people who have gained credit for the expiring standards are exempt from the requirement to gain credit for the replacement standards - see table below.

 

Credit for

Exempt from

14490, 14491

23542

18198

24547

19058

24558, 24559

19059

24560, 24561

19060

24562, 24563

19113

24619

 

National Certificate in Sheep Farming (Sheep Breeding) (Level 3) [Ref: 1443]

 

Changes to structure and content

·         The overall credit value of the qualification has reduced from 60 credits to 48 credits, however essential skills recognised by the qualification remain the same.

·         Standards 571, 23542, and 24644 were removed from the compulsory section and included in the elective section to allow for on-farm variances.

·         Standard 19115 has been added to the elective section to allow persons to select standards relevant to their on farm situation.

·         The elective rule has changed from a minimum of 1 standard to a minimum of 3 credits at level 3.

 

This qualification contains standards that replace earlier standards.  For the purposes of this qualification, people who have gained credit for the expiring standards are exempt from the requirement to gain credit for the replacement standards - see table below.

 

Credit for

Exempt from

1523

24642

1531

24641

14490, 14491

23542

19058

24558, 24559

19059

24560, 24561

19060

24562, 24563

 

Transition

 

People currently working towards version 1 of these qualifications may either complete the requirements of that version or transfer their results to version 2.  However, it is recommended that people transfer their results from version 1 to version 2 of the qualifications.

 

All new learners will be enrolled in programmes or courses leading to the award of version 2 of the qualifications.

 

The last date for assessment to take place for version 1 of all the qualifications is 31 December 2012.

 

It is not intended that anyone be disadvantaged by this revision.  However, anyone who feels they have been disadvantaged may appeal to the Agriculture Industry Training Organisation at the address below.

 

Agriculture Industry Training Organisation

PO Box 10 383

The Terrace

Wellington 6143

 

Telephone              04 801 9616

Email                       standards@agricultureito.ac.nz

Website                   http://www.agricultureito.ac.nz/