Support the operation of a farm.
This standard has options. Display duties and KSBs for:
This occupation is found in..
Agriculture, Animal Health and Welfare
The broad purpose of the occupation is …
to support the operation of farm enterprises through maintaining a culture of health and safety, biosecurity, engaging with third parties, maintaining crop, animal handling and health, maintenance and cleanliness of machinery. The General Farm Worker will typically be required to drive farm vehicles and must hold the appropriate license. The individual will work alongside the supervisor, supporting daily operations for the farm enterprises including identifying and maintaining animal or plant health performance, conducting routine tasks and assisting with general record keeping practices. The individual will manage the storage of forage and crop, minimising waste and disposing of necessary waste appropriately. Animal welfare and risk awareness and prevention are integral to this occupation.
A General Farm Worker is likely to specialise in Livestock or Crop. This Apprenticeship Standard takes a core and options approach. All apprentices will complete the core and must select the one most appropriate option to their role: Livestock Worker or Crop Worker.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with …
the internal farm team reporting to a line manager, and with a number of external stakeholders including vets, farm advisor, contractors and other consultants to the business.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for …
carrying out routine work set by their supervisor, to the required business standards. This includes assisting with animal and plant health and nutrition, maintaining health and safety and biosecurity, operating farm vehicles and optimising the environmental impacts of animal and crop performance. Office work is minimal although basic daily record keeping will be required. Typical working hours will depend on farm type and labour structure. A farm worker will be expected to do long hours, only as permitted within UK employment law.
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Duty 1 Undertake “safe and effective” activities as instructed and actively record daily activity. For example, cleaning machinery, monitoring and recording livestock (livestock checks) |
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Duty 2 Operate within strict bio-security practices. For example, implementing visitor policy |
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Duty 3 Maintain a satisfactory environment for the animals such as ensuring clean bedding, water and shelter |
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Duty 4 Restrain and handle animals in a safe and appropriate manner |
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Duty 5 Operate agricultural vehicles relevant to the business safely, legally and in line with current legislation |
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Duty 6 Recognise environmental risk and carry out operations to minimise environmental impact, such as avoiding pollution of soil, air and water courses. Check and maintain field boundaries |
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Duty 7 Prepare and maintain crop/forage storage as instructed. Including monitoring pests and vermin in crop or bulk bins and temperature monitoring |
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Duty 8 Monitor and maintain farm infrastructure, machinery and non-production areas as instructed. For example, checking oil in farm machinery, maintaining fences, general building maintenance |
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Duty 9 Implement effective storage and disposal of waste in accordance with regulation; such as chemicals, sharps, organic and non-organic waste |
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Duty 10 Carry out routine health and welfare checks on livestock and report on health and production performance when this is abnormal. This includes administration of routine treatments, under supervision and engaging with third parties such as vets |
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Duty 11 Monitor and select grass for either grazing or forage production - recognising and reporting on the growth, health and maintenance of a chosen grassland sward. |
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Duty 12 Feed Animals as per instruction and ensuring fresh water is always accessible |
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Duty 13 Monitor animals prior to, during and post parturition, assisting with associated husbandry tasks |
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Duty 14 Perform relevant stock breeding related tasks under instruction; selection of animals, identification of signs of heat, assisting with service duties |
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Duty 15 Perform crop and or forage operations as per instruction. For example, combining, plate meter reading |
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Duty 16 Recognise and record (verbally and written) the growth and health of crops |
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Duty 17 Assist with preparation and planting of field scale crops |
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Duty 18 Safely load, unload and transport harvested crops in accordance with legislation and codes of practice |
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Duty 19 Recognise good and poor quality in growing, harvested and stored crops |
K1: How to prepare risk assessments including identifying risks and hazards on the farm, and where to get advice and guidance
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K2: The importance of biosecurity and how it is managed
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K3: How animal welfare requirements are met and signs of health and, or ill health in livestock (cattle: beef and dairy, pigs, sheep and goats). The zoonotic, non-zoonotic and notifiable diseases (for example, BSE) and their impact on human health
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K4: The responsibilities relating to movement of livestock, under health and safety and animal welfare legislation, regulation and local policy.. This should include suitable methods of restraint and handling for stock of different ages.
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K5: How to prepare and operate agricultural vehicles and attachments in accordance with relevant legislation. For example, tractor, quad bike, All Terrain Vehicle (ATV), Forklift
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K6: Concepts of good environmental, social and economic practice, including regulations, subsidies and basic understanding of how to contribute to government-led sustainability and zero carbon targets
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K7: The significance of producing crops to specifications and how this can be achieved.
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K8: The most commonly used technology or automation options. For example, Robotic milking, EID tagging, GPS tracking and why maintenance is needed.
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K9: The importance of reducing waste, waste legislation and how this can be implemented in the workplace.
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K10: How to identify the quantity and quality of grass for grazing and crops for forage production, for livestock at different stages of production.
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K11: Feed, nutritional and water requirements of livestock at different stages of production
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K12: Basics of reproductive system of male and female livestock. Methods of service to aid conception (for example, artificial insemination, natural conception), pregnancy, parturition and problems that could occur during the reproductive cycle.
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K13: The reasons for monitoring growth of crops including the impact of weather and, or ground conditions, pests, diseases, weeds
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K14: The process of taking soil samples to identify different soil types and their impact on crops, seed rate and method of establishment
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K15: Correct labelling of resources for transport, assessment of the most appropriate method of transport, safe and correct loading, securing, protection of the load during transportation within the parameters of the farm business
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K16: The basic principles of sustainable agriculture and Integrated Crop Management (ICM)
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K17: The manual and electronic records that need to be completed and the importance of doing them
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K18: The principles and importance of maintaining farm buildings, field boundaries and fences (electrified and non-electrified). This includes the legal and safety ramifications if maintenance is ineffective.
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K19: Different customer requirements for product quality.
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K20: The five welfare needs of animals: a. its need for a suitable environment (cleanliness and manure management) b. its need for a suitable diet (and water) c. Its need to exhibit normal behaviour patterns d. any need to be housed with, or apart from, other animals in appropriate social groupings e. its need to be protected from fear, pain, suffering, injury and disease injury and disease including legal and appropriate, to livestock’s species and age, euthanasia.
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S1: Identify hazards and risks in the workplace, prepare risk assessments and demonstrate high level of health and safety awareness at all times.
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S2: Maintain the correct hygiene and bio-security procedures for the site, in accordance with relevant legal requirements
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S3: Check that animal welfare needs related to their environment and housing are maintained, including manure management, ensuring the suitability of indoor and outdoor environment and bedding up of animals
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S4: Assist with safe restraint, moving and handling of livestock.
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S5: Legally operate a farm vehicle and each attachment according to health and safety requirements. For example, tractors and ATVs along with other vehicles integral to the business.
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S6: Demonstrate good environmental practice in the workplace, in accordance with environmental assessment plans and associated legal requirements
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S7: Assist with post-harvest activities to meet crop and forage specifications, in a safe and environmentally acceptable way
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S8: Carry out maintenance of farm infrastructure (including housing for livestock, boundaries and electric or non-electric fences), machinery and equipment, as instructed
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S9: Monitor and maintain health & welfare of livestock and assist with treatments when appropriate.
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S10: Monitor the quantity and quality of grass and forage crops and report findings to appropriate person.
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S11: Provide feed and water to livestock as instructed and report any issues to appropriate person
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S12: Assist with caring for livestock during the reproductive cycle, from service to weaning. For example, identify signs of heat.
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S13: Assist with the preparation of the ground, including identification of soil condition through soil sampling and preparing crop for planting
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S14: Load, unload and complete paperwork for transportation of resources manually and using loading equipment, according to instruction
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S15: Monitor the growth and development of crops in line with customer specification, as instructed
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S16: Complete manual and electronic records in accordance with legislation and the business processes.
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S17: Produce products for sale from the business (for example, milking, shearing, lambing, harvesting)
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B1: Acts responsibly to provide a high standard of welfare and biosecurity to livestock and crops under their care.
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B2: Have a team-based approach to work
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B3: Is customer focused
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B4: Proactively undertakes continuous professional development
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B5: Able to adapt to change in conditions, technologies, situations and working environments.
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B6: A clear and effective communicator
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B7: Able to give and receive information timely and accurately
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B8: Ability to use own initiative and know when to seek help
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B9: Work proactively with internal and external people to achieve positive outcomes
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| Option qualification | Applicable options |
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High Level QualificationAward in Emergency First Aid at Work, which is a minimum of 1-day course (Ofqual regulated) Level: 3 |
| Option qualification | Applicable options |
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High Level QualificationCity & Guilds Principles of Safe Handling and Application of Pesticides Guidance or Lantra Safe use of Pesticides’ Level: 2 |
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| Version | Change detail | Earliest start date | Latest start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | Approved for delivery | 20/05/2021 | Not set |
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