Establish, monitor and maintain livestock on outdoor sites LEGACY

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This standard covers the establishment, monitoring and maintenance of livestock on outdoor sites. This includes monitoring the continued suitability of the outdoor site to support the livestock and recognising changes in the condition or behaviour of the livestock. You must be able to take the relevant action where such changes are identified.
   
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 habitats and biodiversity and responding to and mitigating the effects of climate change.
This standard is suitable for those responsible for establishing, monitoring and maintaining livestock on outdoor sites.

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1. assess the risks associated with the activity to be carried out
2. wear suitable clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE)
3. maintain hygiene and bio-security, in accordance with business practices
4. select, prepare, use, maintain and store the required tools and equipment, safely and correctly
5. check and confirm the suitability of the outdoor site and that it is ready for livestock, its boundaries are safe and secure and shelter, if required, is available
6. confirm that measures are in place to protect the livestock from disturbance or predators
7. check that the quantity and the quality of the grazing meets the needs of the livestock, including checking for the presence of both beneficial and toxic plants and trees as well as pests and diseases
8. confirm the supply of feed and clean water meets livestock and legal requirements
9. establish the livestock on the outdoor site in a manner that minimises stress, maintains their health and welfare and maintains your own safety
10. use and monitor suitable grazing patterns for the livestock and the grass or forage crop
11. monitor conditions on the outdoor site and take required action if it becomes unsuitable for the livestock due to weather or other changes
12. maintain the outdoor site and its boundaries to confirm their continuing suitability, safety and security
13. monitor and identify when grassland requires improving and take the relevant action
14. monitor the livestock to assess their on-going health and welfare while they are on the outdoor site and take the required action where there are any changes
15. monitor the supply of feed and water, in accordance with livestock requirements and environmental conditions
16. adjust the quantity and mix of livestock where required, to take account of the production stage and the animals’ needs
17. maintain communication with colleagues and others involved in, or affected by, your work
18. deal with waste safely and correctly, in accordance with the relevant legal requirements and business practices
19. carry out all work in accordance with the relevant environmental, health and safety legislation, animal health and welfare legislation, risk assessment requirements, codes of practice and business policies
20. complete records as required by the relevant legislation and the business

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1. the potential hazards to livestock and people that may be present on the outdoor livestock site and how these can be minimised
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 and equipment required and how to prepare, maintain, use and store these safely and correctly
5. how to assess the suitability of the outdoor site for the breed of livestock
6. how to assess potential safety and security hazards and the suitability of different boundaries, and shelter, if required, for the livestock
7. the need for livestock to be protected against disturbance or predators and the measures that can be taken
8. the different types of grasses and forage crops used to support livestock grazing and how to identify them
9. how to assess the quantity and quality of the grazing, including recognising the presence of pests and diseases, and identifying plants that are beneficial to the livestock as well as plants and trees that could be toxic
10. the requirements livestock have for feed and water on outdoor sites and the relevant legal requirements
11. the methods of handling livestock safely and effectively
12. the methods of establishing livestock on outdoor sites that minimise stress and optimise acceptance, and the hazards that might occur when releasing livestock
13. the suitable grazing patterns for the livestock and the grass or forage crop
14. how to monitor and identify when grassland requires improving and the actions that can be taken
15. the methods for monitoring livestock on outdoor sites to maintain their health and welfare and the potential consequences of failing to do so
16. how to recognise healthy livestock and signs of ill-health
17. the need for checking stock numbers and boundaries
18. the importance of recognising forage depletion and when to remove livestock, based on the condition and availability of food
19. the causes of water shortages and contamination and the actions to be taken if these occur
20. the methods of providing feed and water to livestock on outdoor sites
21. the types of problems that may occur with livestock on outdoor sites and the actions to be taken
22. how to recognise signs of ground “poaching” and the actions to be taken
23. the importance of maintaining communication with those involved in, or affected by, your work and how this should be done
24. how to handle, store, transport and dispose of waste, in accordance with the relevant legal requirements and business practices
25. your responsibilities for the welfare of livestock under the relevant animal health and welfare legislation, codes of practice and business policies
26. your responsibilities under the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, codes of practice and business policies
27. the records that need to be kept and the importance of completing them

​Monitor the livestock for: condition and behaviour, health and ill-health