Note: As a subsidiary of
Te Pūkenga - New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology, UCOL Te Pūkenga is committed to providing the best learning outcome for you. As part of this, all programmes are currently being reviewed to make them portable, consistent, and closely aligned with the needs of the industry. When published, this course information is correct, but the courses offered may change over time. If you have any questions call an Enrolment Advisor on 0800 468 265.
From 2023, UCOL Te Pūkenga and the programme you have enrolled in will become part of Te Pūkenga. So, if you join UCOL in 2023, you will be awarded Te Pūkenga certification. And, if you are a current learner graduating in 2023, you will be awarded a co-branded certificate.
This programme consists of 100 - 125 credits depending on the strands opted. The courses includes:
Compulsory Core Courses
Vehicles, Plant, Machinery and Equipment (10 Credits)
Learners will learn about routine maintenance of vehicles, plant, machinery, and equipment. After this course, you will be able to:
- Develop a routine maintenance schedule for vehicles, plant, machinery, and equipment.
- Design workplace maintenance procedures to meet health and safety, recording, and reporting requirements.
Benchmarking Performance (10 Credits)
Learners will learn to benchmark a farm’s physical performance against industry high performers' data and identify strategies to improve a farm’s physical and financial performance. After this course, you will be able to:
- Analyse physical and financial performance data.
- Benchmark performance against industry targets.
- Develop a range of strategies to improve production and financial performance.
Environmental Impacts (10 Credits)
Learners will learn to implement and monitor a farm‘s environmental plan. After this course, you will be able to:
- Identify and explain relevant environmental legislation and compliance requirements for an agricultural enterprise.
- Describe the impact of nutrient cycles on soil and water quality.
- Implement, monitor, and report on a farm’s environmental plan.
Technology, Communications, Data, and Reports (15 Credits)
Learners will learn effective interpersonal skills, using appropriate technology to coordinate agribusiness activity and to produce informative management reports. After this course, you will be able to:
- Demonstrate effective data collection and reporting methods to produce evidence-based production recommendations.
- Demonstrate effective communication skills and strategies.
- Investigate and report on the current use of agricultural production technologies
Non-Breeding Livestock Farming Strand
The core courses plus the courses for this strand consists of 100 credits.
Livestock Production Plan (15 Credits)
Learners will develop the knowledge and skills to implement and monitor a livestock production plan. After this course, you will be able to:
- Implement a livestock farming production plan.
- Describe regulatory requirements that influence planned production targets.
- Monitor, record, and report on progress against the plan according to workplace procedures.
Livestock Health Plan (20 Credits)
Learners will develop the knowledge and skills to implement and monitor a livestock health plan. After this course, you will be able to:
- Describe animal welfare practices and procedures required to meet compliance requirements.
- Describe a range of health problems affecting livestock in relation to a specified farming operation.
- Describe the diagnosis and treatment of a range of livestock health problems.
- Conduct a cost-benefit analysis to meet livestock health plan targets.
- Implement a livestock health plan including monitoring, recording, and reporting on livestock health.
Livestock Feeding Plan (25 Credits)
Learners will develop the knowledge and skills to implement and monitor a livestock feeding plan. After this course, you will be able to:
- Describe pasture management requirements to maximise feed quantity and quality.
- Describe pasture maintenance and renovation methods required for pasture renewal.
- Describe the use of feed crops in relation to a pastoral system.
- Implement an annual livestock feed plan to meet demand and supply requirements.
- Monitor a livestock feed plan and adapt feeding practices where required.
Breeding Livestock Farming Strand
Learners opting for this strand will have to complete Livestock Breeding Plan along with Livestock Health Plan, Livestock Production Plan, and Livestock Feeding Plan courses (listed earlier). The core courses plus the courses for strand constitute 120 credits.
Livestock Breeding Plan (20 Credits)
Learners will develop the knowledge and skills to implement and monitor a livestock breeding plan. After this course, you will be able to:
- Describe livestock mating management strategies to achieve optimum targets.
- Implement, monitor, record, and evaluate a livestock mating plan.
- Describe management strategies required to achieve optimum parturition results.
- Implement a farm parturition plan including monitoring, recording, evaluation, and reporting.
Dairy Farming Strand
Learners opting for this strand will have to complete the Milk Harvesting and Quality Management course, along with Livestock Health Plan, Livestock Breeding Plan, and Livestock Feeding Plan courses (listed earlier). The core courses plus the courses for strand constitute 125 credits.
Milk Harvesting and Quality Management (20 Credits)
Learners will develop the knowledge and skills to implement and monitor milk harvesting and milk quality. After this course, you will be able to:
- Manage milk harvesting to optimise operating efficiency and milking performance outcomes.
- Describe factors that relate to milk quality industry standards.
- Manage milk harvesting procedures to optimise milk quality.
- Manage dairy cleaning procedures and milking plant maintenance to optimise milk quality.
- Manage staff capability to maintain milk supply and hygiene standards.