Monitor and maintain the care of livestock during and after parturition

URN: LANLP5
Business Sectors (Suites): Crofting and Smallholding,Livestock Production
Developed by: Lantra
Approved on: 31 Jan 2022

Overview


This standard covers monitoring and maintaining the care of livestock during parturition (the birth process) and the care of both the mother and her young after parturition. 

You are required to monitor and maintain the health and welfare of livestock during parturition monitoring their health, welfare and condition and take the relevant action where you have concerns.

You must also monitor the condition of both mother and young after birth, carry out weaning, as appropriate, and take the relevant action where there are problems. 

The reproduction of livestock is an essential part of many livestock enterprises.
   
When working with livestock or machinery you should be trained, and hold the current certification 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 habitat and biodiversity and responding to and mitigating the effects of climate change.

This standard is suitable for those who monitor and maintain the care of livestock during and after parturition.


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 equipment and materials, safely and correctly
  4. maintain hygiene and bio-security, in accordance with business practices
  5. identify livestock that are showing signs of early or imminent parturition 
  6. monitor the livestock during parturition and maintain the appropriate level of care 
  7. maintain the correct environment during parturition
  8. observe the mother and young during parturition and seek assistance if signs of stress are observed or there is a variation from the normal birth process
  9. establish that parturition is complete
  10. check the health and welfare of the mother and young and carry out health and welfare activities, as required by farm practices
  11. maintain suitable conditions after parturition for both mother and young
  12. monitor mother and young after parturition, taking the required action when there is a variation from the norm
  13. carry out tagging of the young at the required time, where this is a requirement
  14. carry out weaning, where appropriate, in accordance with business practices
  15. maintain communication with colleagues and others involved in, or affected by, your work
  16. process waste safely and correctly, in accordance with the relevant legal requirements and business practices
  17. 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
  18. complete records 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 caring for livestock during and after parturition
  2. the type of clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) suitable for the activity
  3. the types of equipment and materials required and how to prepare, use, maintain and store these safely and correctly
  4. the importance of maintaining hygiene and bio-security during parturition, and the methods for achieving this
  5. how to maintain an environment that is conducive to the health and welfare of livestock during and after parturition
  6. the signs and behaviour of the livestock you are working with that indicate when parturition is imminent
  7. how to determine the need for assistance with parturition, according to the birth stage, progress and health and welfare of the livestock
  8. the assistance that may be required during parturition, including the correct use of birthing aids
  9. how to identify when natural parturition is unlikely to occur and the correct action to take
  10. the reasons for monitoring the condition of the mother and young during and after parturition
  11. the types of problems and the signs and symptoms that may occur during and after parturition and the action that should be taken
  12. the methods of caring for the mother and her young after parturition
  13. the health and welfare activities that should be carried out for the mother and young after parturition
  14. the factors that affect the health and condition of the mother and young
  15. the potential problems encountered by young livestock and how to deal with these problems
  16. the normal anatomy of the livestock you are working with, how to identify abnormality in young and the action to take
  17. the requirements for tagging and registration for the livestock you are working with
  18. the methods of weaning, where appropriate, that promote welfare amongst stock
  19. the importance of maintaining communication with those involved in, or affected by, your work and how this should be done
  20. how to handle, transport and dispose of waste, in accordance with the relevant legal requirements and business practices
  21. your responsibilities for the welfare of livestock under the relevant animal health and welfare legislation, codes of practice and business policies
  22. your responsibilities under the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, codes of practice and business policies
  23. the records that need to be kept and the importance of completing them


Scope/range


Scope Performance


Scope Knowledge


Values


Behaviours


Skills


Glossary

Health and welfare activities: 

navel dipping
teat dipping
non-surgical procedures
identification
cleansing 

Monitor mother after parturition to check for: 

milk let down
milk consumption
passing the placenta
passing meconium
abnormalities
disease
disorders
offspring rejection

Monitor young after parturition to check for:

behaviour
cleansing
presence of colostrum
no significant blood loss
no damage
able to rise
stand and move
able to feed and drink
abnormalities

Potential problems encountered by young livestock: 

competition
loss of milk supply
need to foster


Links To Other NOS


External Links


Version Number

6

Indicative Review Date

31 Jan 2027

Validity

Current

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

Lantra

Original URN

LANLP5

Relevant Occupations

Farmer, General Farm Worker, Pig Farm Worker, Crofter, Smallholder

SOC Code

5119

Keywords

animal; young; livestock; birth; parturition; mother