Deliver artificial insemination to livestock
Overview
This standard covers the key features of delivering artificial insemination to livestock. Herd fertility is a critical factor in any breeding enterprise, and artificial insemination (AI) has become a dominant procedure in the reproductive process on many breeding units. At this level you will be expected to deliver all aspects of the insemination process. This standard covers the artificial insemination process and management of the procedure from oestrus detection and timing of service through to keeping records. You are required to have experience of handling adult livestock and will carry out these activities in accordance with business practices. When working with livestock or machinery you should be trained and hold current certification, where required. This standard is suitable for those responsible for delivering artificial insemination to livestock and who have been appropriately trained.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
assess the risks associated with the activity to be carried out
wear suitable clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE)
select, prepare, use, maintain and store the required equipment in
a safe and sterile condition
- maintain hygiene and bio-security, in accordance with business
practices
- confirm that the work area is safe and suitable for the artificial
insemination of livestock
identify the livestock to receive artificial insemination
move and handle the livestock in a way that is likely to maintain
your own safety and minimise stress to the livestock
- deliver artificial insemination to livestock with minimal discomfort
and while promoting animal welfare
- return livestock to accommodation and monitor them for any
problems that may occur
- maintain communication with colleagues and others involved in,
or affected by, your work
- carry out all work in accordance with relevant environmental and
health and safety legislation, animal health and welfare legislation,
risk assessment requirements, codes of practice and business
policies
- confirm that records are maintained and stored as required by
relevant legislation and the business
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
how to identify hazards and assess risks
- the type of clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE)
suitable for the activity
- the equipment required and how to prepare, use, maintain and
store it safely and in a sterile condition
- the importance of maintaining hygiene and bio-security and the
methods for achieving this
- the signs of oestrus in livestock and the devices that can be used
to aid detection
- the length of oestrus and the timing of artificial insemination to
achieve conception
the correct method of delivering artificial insemination to livestock
the typical conditions in which livestock should be restrained
during artificial insemination, in order to promote their welfare
- the methods of moving for insemination those livestock whose
behaviour may be altered by the presence of oestrus
- the problems that may occur after artificial insemination has taken
place and how to deal with these
- the importance of maintaining communication with those involved
in, or affected by, your work and how this should be done
- your responsibilities for the welfare of livestock under relevant
animal health and welfare legislation, codes of practice and
business policies
- your responsibilities under relevant environmental and health and
safety legislation, codes of practice and business policies
- the records that need to be kept and the importance of completing
them