Identify and maintain soil nutrients for grassland and forage crops

This standard covers identifying and maintaining soil nutrients for grassland and forage crops. Forage production is an essential part of most livestock production systems. This role requires taking soil samples and interpreting the results, applying nutrients in a safe manner, in accordance with instructions and legislative requirements. If you are working with chemicals or machinery you should be trained and hold current certification, where required. When carrying out your work you must consider the impact it will have on the environment. This standard is suitable for those responsible for identifying and maintaining soil nutrients for grassland and forage crops.

1. assess the risks associated with the activity to be carried out

   2. wear suitable clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE)

   3. select, prepare, use, maintain and store the required tools,

   equipment and materials, safely and correctly

   4. identify the condition of the soil, in accordance with grassland and

   forage crop production requirements

   5. carry out a range of soil sampling techniques

   6. seek and evaluate specialist advice where required

   7. identify the requirements for the application of soil nutrients for the

   grassland and forage crops

   8. maintain the application of soil nutrients, where required in

   accordance with requirements for crop growth and the relevant

   environmental legislation

   9. maintain communication with colleagues and others involved in,

   or affected by, your work

   10. process waste safely and correctly, in accordance with relevant

   legal requirements and business practices

   11. carry out your work in accordance with relevant environmental

   and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements,

   codes of practice and business policies

   12. complete records as required by relevant legislation and the

   business

1. how to identify hazards and assess risks

   2. the type of clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE)

   suitable for the activity

   3. the types of tools, equipment and materials required and how to

   prepare, use, maintain and store these safely and correctly

   4. the different types of soil

   5. the different methods of examining soil structure and that factors

   that can affect the structure

   6. the methods to improve soil structure

   7. the different soil sampling techniques

   8. how to interpret a soil analysis and the relevant action to be taken

   9. the importance of soil pH

   10. the high-risk soil types

   11. where to access sources of information and specialist advice on

   the application of soil nutrients for grassland and forage crops

   12. the nutrient requirements for different grassland and forage crops

   and the types of soil nutrients that may be applied

   13. the different methods of applying soil nutrients and when they

   should be applied

   14. the relationship between crop growth and development, and the

   use of soil nutrients

   15. the relevant environmental legislation requirements for the

   provision of soil nutrients

   16. the ways of minimising environmental damage during work

   activities

   17. the importance of maintaining communication with those involved

   in, or affected by, your work and how this should be done

   18. how to handle, transport, store and dispose of waste, in

   accordance with relevant legal requirements and business

   practices

   19. your responsibilities under relevant environmental and health and

   safety legislation, codes of practice and business policies

   20. the records that need to be kept and the importance of completing

   them