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Prepare planting equipment and plant crops

URN: LANAgC2
Business Sectors (Suites): Agricultural Crop Production,Crofting and Smallholding
Developed by: Lantra
Approved on: 2022

Overview

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This standard covers the preparation of planting equipment and the planting of crops.
 
You will be able to check that the site is in a suitable condition for planting and that the correct quality and quantity of planting material is available. You will also be able to set up and operate machinery and equipment to carry out planting to meet the needs of the crop and planting specification.
 
When working with machinery or equipment 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.
 
The standard is suitable for those with responsibility for preparing planting equipment and carrying out the planting of crops.

Performance criteria

You must be able to:

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  1. assess the risks associated with the site and the required activity
  2. wear suitable clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE)
  3. select, prepare, use and maintain the required equipment and machinery, safely and correctly
  4. check that the planting equipment is fit for use and confirm that it is set up to give the required outputs
  5. check that the soil has been prepared and is in a suitable condition for planting the crop, and take action if it is not
  6. transport planting material in a way that avoids damage and maintains quality 
  7. use planting equipment to position planting material in the soil consistently across the site, in accordance with instructions and specifications 
  8. maintain hygiene and bio-security, in accordance with business practices
  9. maintain the safety and security of the equipment and machinery on site
  10. clean down equipment and machinery after use and leave it secure and in the correct condition for future use
  11. maintain communication with colleagues and others involved in, or affected by, your work
  12. follow industry and business guidance to minimise environmental damage
  13. process waste safely and correctly, in accordance with the relevant legal requirements and business practices
  14. carry out your work in accordance with the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements, codes of practice and business policies
  15. complete records as required by the relevant legislation and the business

Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

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  1. how to identify hazards and assess risks associated with the use of planting equipment to plant crops
  2. the type of clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) suitable for the activity
  3. the importance of carrying out an environmental assessment of the site before starting work, and the findings that may affect the planting of crops
  4. the requirements, advantages and disadvantages of different crop production systems
  5. the principles of sustainable agriculture and Integrated Crop Management (ICM)
  6. the types of equipment and machinery required for planting crops, and how to prepare, use and maintain these safely and correctly
  7. the required outputs of the planting equipment, taking into account the relevant factors
  8. how to set up the equipment and machinery to give the required outputs, including the use of technology
  9. the types of soil and their relationship to crop planting and the establishment of crops
  10. the requirements and purpose of the planting specifications 
  11. how to check that the soil has been prepared and is in a suitable condition for planting crops
  12. the methods used to prepare planting material and how to confirm that it is suitable for planting
  13. the current national legislation controlling the use of fertilisers and treatments when planting crops
  14. the importance of timing when planting crops, and how the type of crop affects the timing 
  15. the inter-relationship between density, depth, orientation, plant spacing and row widths when planting, what is best for different crops and different sites and why this is the case
  16. the factors that must be taken into consideration during the planting of crops, such as seed treatments, the addition of pesticides or nutrients and the legal requirements for their use 
  17. the sort of problems that may arise during planting and the actions to take
  18. the importance of maintaining hygiene and bio-security when planting crops and the methods for achieving this
  19. why it is important to maintain the safety and security of equipment and machinery when on site
  20. how to clean down equipment and machinery, and why this is important
  21. the importance of maintaining communication with those involved in, or affected by, your work and how this should be done
  22. the importance of following the relevant environmental and ecological best practice to help minimise the impact of your work on the environment
  23. the actions that can be taken to preserve and improve habitat and biodiversity and to respond to and mitigate the effects of climate change
  24. how to handle, transport, store and dispose of waste, in accordance with the legal requirements and business practices
  25. your responsibilities under the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, codes of practice and business policies
  26. the records that need to be kept and the importance of completing them

Scope/range

Scope Performance

Scope Knowledge

Values

Behaviours

Skills

Glossary

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Crops may include: 

  • cereals/grains
  • root crops
  • pulses
  • oilseed rape
  • vines
  • hops
  • vegetables
  • herbs
  • flowers
  • shrubs
  • trees
  • fruit

Instructions and specifications: 

  • drawings/plans
  • schedules
  • method statements
  • Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
  • manufacturer’s guidelines
  • customer requirements
  • quality assurance requirements
  • crop requirements
  • verbal instructions

Planting material:

  • seeds
  • plants
  • bulbs, tubers, corms, etc 
  • fertilisers
  • treatments

Position planting material:

  • density
  • depth
  • orientation
  • plant spacing
  • row widths
  • firmness

Relevant factors:

  • soil type and condition
  • topography
  • climate
  • weather and ground conditions
  • existing structures and systems (e.g. fences, hedges, drainage)
  • previous use of the site
  • previous treatments
  • access

Required outputs:

  • plants/ha

  • kg/ha

Sustainable agriculture: Meeting the requirements for food production while maintaining profitability and preserving the environment.

Timing:

  • seasonality
  • soil conditions
  • weather conditions
  • environmental conditions

Links To Other NOS

External Links

Version Number

5

Indicative Review Date

2027

Validity

Current

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

Lantra

Original URN

LANAgC2

Relevant Occupations

Farmer, Tractor Driver, Crofter, Smallholder

SOC Code

5119

Keywords

crops; planting; seeds; plants