SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Occupational Certificate: Livestock Farmer (Livestock Farm Supervisor) 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
99253  Occupational Certificate: Livestock Farmer (Livestock Farm Supervisor) 
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner - AgriSETA 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Occupational Certificate  Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation  Primary Agriculture 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  112  Not Applicable  NQF Level 03  Regular-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0425/24  2018-07-26  2025-12-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-12-30   2029-12-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Livestock Farm Supervisor.

A qualified learner will be able to:
  • Monitor the health status of livestock, perform and direct health care treatments.
  • Monitor and attend to livestock production and breeding practices.
  • Supervise and lead work teams on a livestock farm.

    Rationale:
    The Occupational Certificate: Livestock Farmer is designed to provide learners with basic understanding and knowledge of livestock farming. A Livestock farmer monitors and oversees the health care of the general livestock and production activities in an extensive livestock farming environment. The aim of this qualification is to address the needs of the commercial livestock farming industry as well as those of emerging farmers equally. The demand for a skilled workforce on livestock farms is recognised as a priority need by the livestock farming industry. A generic approach was followed with the design of the qualification to allow for mobility between a range of livestock farming industries such as cattle farming, mixed livestock farming, sheep farming, goat and mohair farming. Specific industry requirements, such as mohair farming, must be addressed through contextualisation of learning resources. This qualification also provides a foundation in livestock farming practices that will allow persons to enter a formal career in the livestock farming sector. Sustainable food production and security is a national priority and includes livestock farming practices. This qualification supports this priority by providing a framework for skills development in livestock farming practices that will contribute to the achievement of sustainable red meat production. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment: Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result or certifying a work experience record.

    RPL for access to the qualification: Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements.

    Entry Requirements:
    An NQF Level 1 qualification with Mathematical Literacy and Communication. 

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of Knowledge, Practical Skill and Work Experience modules totalling 112 Credits.

    Knowledge Modules, 40 Credits:
  • 612101001-KM-01, The South African livestock farming environment, Level 2, 4 Credits.
  • 612101001-KM-02, Functional livestock anatomy and physiology, Level 3, 8 Credits.
  • 612101001-KM-03, Livestock health care, Level 3, 8 Credits.
  • 612101001-KM-04, Livestock husbandry and production, Level 3, 8 Credits.
  • 612101001-KM-05, Lead work teams on livestock farms, Level 3, 4 Credits.
  • 612101001-KM-06, Supervise livestock farming activities, Level 4, 8 Credits.

    Practical Skill Modules, 36 Credits:
  • 612101001-PM-01, Perform livestock health care practices, Level 3, 8 Credits.
  • 612101001-PM-02, Direct and control livestock health care activities, Level 4, 8 Credits.
  • 612101001-PM-03, Attend to animal production-related practices, Level 3, 8 Credits.
  • 612101001-PM-04, Direct and control livestock production activities, Level 4, 4 Credits.
  • 612101001-PM-05, Lead and direct work teams, Level 4, 8 Credits.

    Work Experience Modules, 36 Credits:
  • 612101001-WM-01, Conduct a range of livestock health care practices in extensive farming conditions, Level 3, 12 Credits.
  • 612101001-WM-02, Conduct a range of livestock husbandry practices in extensive farming conditions, Level 3, 12 Credits.
  • 612101001-WM-03, Plan and direct extensive livestock farming activities, Level 4, 12 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Monitor the health status of livestock and perform and direct health care treatments.
    2. Attend to livestock production and breeding related activities.
    3. Attend to supervisory and team leadership activities. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Livestock health care related to farming practices are applied to accepted standards.
  • A basic understanding of the key terms, rules, concepts and established principles related to livestock health care functions on a livestock farm is demonstrated.
  • Health care related problems are attended to in terms of urgency and potential impact on the success of the farm and addressed in accordance with accepted farming practices and procedures.
  • Livestock remedies are selected and applied for treatment of specific conditions as specified by pre-determined treatment procedures.
  • The bio-security status of the livestock farm is maintained in accordance with accepted bio-security practices and preventative measures.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Routine livestock herding and handling of related farming practices are conducted with due consideration for the welfare and safety of the animals and persons involved.
  • Livestock breeding and animal rearing related farming practices are conducted according to accepted herd care and farm management standards.
  • Routine livestock nutrition, supplementary feeding, water provision and veld-rotation practices are conducted according to accepted herd care and farm management standards.
  • Routine livestock production practices related to parasite control, livestock identification, animal castration, de-horning or tail docking areconducted according to accepted herd care and farm management standards.
  • A basic understanding of the key terms, rules, concepts and established principles related to livestock production practices is applied.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Work activities are scheduled and the execution monitored in an effective manner.
  • Work instructions and farm notices are clearly communicated to work teams.
  • Workplace discipline is maintained in terms of accepted standards for fairness.
  • Performance levels of subordinates are directed and monitored to enhance efficiency and productivity levels.
  • Farm records are accurately kept and reported on.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Integrated Formative Assessment:
    The skills development provider will use the curriculum to guide them on the stipulated internal assessment criteria and weighting. They will also apply the scope of practical skills and applied knowledge as stipulated by the internal assessment criteria. This formative assessment leads to entrance into the integrated external summative assessment.

    Integrated Summative Assessment:
    An external integrated summative assessment, conducted through the relevant Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) Assessment Quality Partner is required for the issuing of this qualification. The external integrated summative assessment will focus on the Exit Level Outcome. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The international comparability study was conducted to examine comparable qualifications and programmes, which exist in other countries. The comparability exercise focused on two countries namely, Australia and New Zealand.

    Australia, Meat and Livestock Australia:
    The Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) is a producer-owned company, working in partnership with industry and government to achieve a profitable and sustainable red meat and livestock (cattle, sheep and goats) industry in Australia.

    The MLA provides a farmer development programme that involves sharing of information through a range of livestock producer manuals, active learning opportunities delivered with the support of experienced producer advocates who are recognised by the industry, and participatory learning aimed at practice change.

    Various programmes are available for livestock farmers. One such programme is the More Beef from Pastures programme that comprises the following modules:
  • Module 1 - Setting directions.
  • Module 2 - Pasture growth.
  • Module 3 - Pasture utilisation.
  • Module 4 - Cattle genetics.
  • Module 5 - Weaner throughput.
  • Module 6 - Herd health and welfare.
  • Module 7 - Meeting market specifications.

    New Zealand:
    The New Zealand Certificate in Agriculture (Livestock Husbandry) (Level 3) includes the following areas of learning:
    Outcome 1: Assist with mating and parturition.
  • Livestock reproductive processes and practices.
  • Selection and culling of livestock.
  • Introduction to livestock traits and genetics.
  • Livestock handling.
  • Livestock behaviour.

    Outcome 2: Assist with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of livestock health problems:
  • Livestock anatomy and physiology.
  • Recognition and treatment of relevant livestock health issues.
  • Prevention programmes for livestock health.
  • Bio-security issues relating to livestock.

    Outcome 3: Assist with the rearing of young stock:
  • Rearing and management of young livestock from birth until first mating, weaning or slaughter.

    Conclusion:
    This qualification compares favourably with the qualification offered in New Zealand and the programme offered in Australia. The scope of livestock farming practice-related modules covered by the Australian training compare favourably with this qualification. This qualification also compares favourably with the scope and content of the New Zealand Certificate in Agriculture (Livestock Husbandry) (Level 3). 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both horizontal and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • National Certificate: Poultry Production, Level 3 (ID 49578).

    Vertical Articulation
  • FETC: Farming, Level 4 (ID 20290).
  • FETC: Animal Production, Level 4 (ID 48979). 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.