Back

Establish and confirm pregnancy in livestock

URN: LANLP3
Business Sectors (Suites): Crofting and Smallholding,Livestock Production
Developed by: Lantra
Approved on: 31 Jan 2022

Overview

​

This standard covers the establishment and confirmation of pregnancy, by natural or assisted methods, in livestock. Reproduction of livestock is an essential part of many livestock enterprises.
   
When working with livestock or machinery you need to be appropriately trained, and hold a relevant certificate where required,  in accordance with the relevant legislation.

When carrying out your work you must consider the impact it will have on the environment, and work towards preserving and improving habitats and biodiversity and responding to and mitigating the effects of climate change.

This standard is suitable for those with responsibility for establishing and confirming pregnancy in livestock.

Performance criteria

You must be able to:

​

  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. maintain hygiene and bio-security in accordance with business practices
  5. monitor the physical condition of the livestock and check that selected stock are fit and in the correct condition for breeding, in accordance with the breeding plans 
  6. prepare livestock for breeding, in accordance with the breeding plans 
  7. monitor livestock for signs of oestrous prior to breeding 
  8. move animal/s for breeding to a designated area, as required
  9. use the required natural or assisted methods to establish fertilisation/pregnancy, in accordance with the breeding plans
  10. monitor livestock for signs of oestrous after service 
  11. use the relevant method to check and confirm pregnancy, in accordance with the breeding plans, and take the relevant action
  12. maintain communication with colleagues and others involved in, or affected by, your work
  13. carry out all work in accordance with the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, animal health and welfare legislation, risk assessment requirements, codes of practice and business policies
  14. confirm that records are maintained and stored as required by the relevant legislation and the business

Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

​

  1. how to identify hazards and assess risks associated with establishing and confirming pregnancy in livestock
  2. the type of clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) suitable for the activity
  3. the importance of maintaining hygiene and bio-security and the methods for achieving this
  4. the types of tools, equipment and materials required for assisting with establishing and confirming pregnancy in livestock, and how to prepare, use, maintain and store these safely and correctly, including the use of technology
  5. how nutritional and health conditions could affect conception and pregnancy, including the importance of achieving and maintaining the correct condition score for the animal at each stage 
  6. the different natural and assisted methods of establishing fertilisation and/or pregnancy in different species of livestock and the importance of timing
  7. the anatomy of the livestock’s male and female reproductive systems for the livestock you are working with
  8. how to identify livestock that are suitable for breeding and their methods of preparation 
  9. the factors that influence conception rates
  10. the livestock’s breeding cycles and signs of oestrous
  11. how environmental conditions can affect the breeding cycle of livestock
  12. the different methods of checking and confirming pregnancy and the actions to take if the livestock are confirmed to be pregnant or not pregnant
  13. the signs that indicate an unplanned pregnancy and the required action to take
  14. the importance of maintaining communication with those involved in, or affected by, your work and how this should be done
  15. your responsibilities for the welfare of livestock under the relevant animal health and welfare legislation, codes of practice and business policies
  16. your responsibilities under the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, codes of practice and business policies
  17. the records that need to be kept and the importance of completing them

Scope/range

Scope Performance

Scope Knowledge

Values

Behaviours

Skills

Glossary

​

Establish fertilisation/pregnancy could be by: 
artificial insemination, natural fertilisation, embryo transfer

Links To Other NOS

External Links

Version Number

6

Indicative Review Date

31 Jan 2027

Validity

Current

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

Lantra

Original URN

LANLP3

Relevant Occupations

Agricultural Technical Advisor, Farmer, General Farm Worker, Pig Farm Worker, Crofter, Smallholder

SOC Code

5119

Keywords

animal; breeding; fertilisation; natural; artificial insemination; reproduction cycle; embryo transfer