Collect and store livestock semen for future use
Overview
This standard covers the collection and storage of livestock semen for future use. It does not include the collection of semen for re-sale purposes as carried out by specialist operators. This standard covers identifying livestock suitable to be used for breeding purposes, collecting the semen, assessing the quality and storing it appropriately. The methods used for collecting the semen must be suitable for the type and breed of livestock involved. When working with livestock or machinery you should be trained and hold current certification, where required. The standard is suitable for those who collect, prepare and store livestock semen for future use.
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 tools,
equipment and materials, safely and correctly
- maintain hygiene and bio-security in accordance with business
practices
- confirm that the work area is safe and suitable for the collection of
semen
- identify, prepare and handle suitable livestock in a way that is
likely to maintain your own safety, minimise livestock stress and
maximise the yield and quality of the semen
- make the necessary adjustments to working methods and
equipment throughout the process
- collect semen using recognised methods
- confirm that the semen collected is of the correct quality and
quantity for future use, and take action when it fails to meet
production specifications
- return livestock to their living environment safely
- handle semen using the appropriate methods
- label storage containers clearly and accurately and place them in
the correct location
- store semen at the correct temperature for future use, in
accordance with production specifications
- maintain communication with colleagues and others involved in,
or affected by, your work
- carry out your 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 types of tools, equipment and materials required and how to
prepare, maintain, use and store these safely and correctly
- the importance of maintaining hygiene and bio-security and the
methods for achieving this
- why some males are unsuitable for breeding purposes and how to
identify livestock unsuitable for the collection of semen
- the methods of safely preparing livestock for the collection of
semen
- the ways to reduce stress in livestock
- the types of adjustments to the process for the collection and
storage of livestock semen that may be required
- the methods for assessing the condition of the semen
- the actions to be taken when semen does not meet production
specifications
- how semen should be handled and stored to maintain quality
- the ways in which semen must be labelled for future use
- 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 current environmental and health and
safety legislation, risk assessment requirements, codes of
practice and business policies
- the records that need to be kept and the importance of completing
them