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 UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Sort and handle animal fibre 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
116161  Sort and handle animal fibre 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Primary Agriculture 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation Primary Agriculture 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 1  NQF Level 01  5 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

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 unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
A person achieving this unit standard will be able to handle fleeces and class skirting,
belly pieces and lox according to nationally determined standards. The person will achieve this by making judgements based on the appearance of the wool according to the above-mentioned standards.

In addition they will be well positioned to extend their learning and practice into other areas of agriculture and in particular sheep and goat production. The quality of the fibre handling and sorting will be improved resulting in higher levels of profitability.

Learners will gain specific knowledge and skills in animal fibre handling and will be able to operate in an animal production environment implementing sustainable and economically viable production principles.

They will be capacitated to gain access to the mainstream agricultural sector, in animal production, impacting directly on the sustainability of the sub-sector. The improvement in production technology will also have a direct impact on the improvement of agricultural productivity of the sector. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
No learning is assumed to be in place. 

UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
Whilst range statements have been defined generically to include as wide a set of alternatives as possible, all range statements should be interpreted within the specific context of application.

Range statements are neither comprehensive nor necessarily appropriate to all contexts. Alternatives must however be comparable in scope and complexity. These are only as a general guide to scope and complexity of what is required. 

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
Demonstrate the picking up and casting of a fleece. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
The person will be able to apply this skill in one of the following contexts: Merino; Cross breeds; White wools; Karakul; Mohair. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The fleece is gathered according to a set procedure on the floor of the shearing shed. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The fleece is grabbed according to the prescribed guidelines and procedure. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
The fleece is picked up off the floor intact and taken to the throwing table. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
The fleece is thrown evenly and intact onto the throwing table. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
Show the ability to skirt a fleece to remove inferior wool. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
The person will be able to apply this skill in one of the following contexts: Merino; Cross breeds; White wools; Karakul; Mohair. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The fleece is skirted according to the national guidelines. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
All the inferior wool is removed from the fleece. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Inferior wool includes but is not limited to wool stained by dung, urine, sweat, belly type, short pieces, lox.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
All lox or short wool is removed from the fleece. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
Off-skirts are removed. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
Identify the different components of a fleece and class the fleece accordingly. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
The person will be able to apply this skill in one of the following contexts: Merino; Cross breeds; White wools; Karakul; Mohair. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
Britch wool is separated from the fleece wool according to the standards. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
Neck wool and the crow's nest is removed from the fleece wool according to the standards. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
Shoulder wool and speedy patches are recognised if required according to the standards. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
Back wool is separated from the fleece wool if required according to the standards. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
Fleece wool is classified according to the nationally accepted standards. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
Identify and class skirtings, belly pieces and lox pieces. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
Skirtings are correctly classed according to length, appearance and the national standards. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
Belly pieces are correctly classed according to length, appearance and the national standards. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
Lox pieces are correctly classed according to length, type of stain, location on the body and the national standards. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
All pieces are classed and placed in the relevant bins for baling. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
Demonstrate the pressing, closing and marking of bales. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The press is prepared and cleaned appropriately to prevent contamination. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
Wool is loaded and pressed according to minimum and maximum weight criteria. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
The bale is closed by the application of an appropriate closing technique. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
The bale is marked correctly by applying the correct symbols according to guidelines. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
Health and safety requirements are adhered to whilst pressing the wool. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
Contamination is avoided whilst loading and pressing wool. 


UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
The assessment of qualifying learners against this standard should meet the requirements of established assessment principles.

It will be necessary to develop assessment activities and tools, which are appropriate to the contexts in which the qualifying learners are working. These activities and tools may include an appropriate combination of self-assessment and peer assessment, formative and summative assessment, portfolios and observations etc.

The assessment should ensure that all the specific outcomes; critical cross-field outcomes and essential embedded knowledge are assessed.

The specific outcomes must be assessed through observation of performance. Supporting evidence should be used to prove competence of specific outcomes only when they are not clearly seen in the actual performance.

Essential embedded knowledge must be assessed in its own right, through oral or written evidence and cannot be assessed only by being observed.

The specific outcomes and essential embedded knowledge must be assessed in relation to each other. If a qualifying learner is able to explain the essential embedded knowledge but is unable to perform the specific outcomes, they should not be assessed as competent. Similarly, if a qualifying learner is able to perform the specific outcomes but is unable to explain or justify their performance in terms of the essential embedded knowledge, then they should not be assessed as competent.

Evidence of the specified critical cross-field outcomes should be found both in performance and in the essential embedded knowledge.

Performance of specific outcomes must actively affirm target groups of qualifying learners, not unfairly discriminate against them. Qualifying learners should be able to justify their performance in terms of these values.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard or assessing this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The person is able to demonstrate a basic knowledge of:
  • National classing standards.
  • Legislation referring to e.g. foreign matter, foreign fibres and symbols.
  • Physical properties of wool.
  • Components of wool.
  • Classing requirements.
  • Hygiene (Including shed hygiene and personal hygiene).
  • Safety and health aspects.
  • Contamination aspects.
  • Wet wool, paint stained and stained wool.
  • Basic sheep shearing procedures.
  • Shearing shed discipline.
  • Skills: Interpersonal and Communication.
  • Techniques: Picking up fleece, casting of fleece, skirting, divided components, test for textile strength and baling. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Problem Solving: relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Teamwork: relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Self-management: relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Interpreting Information: relates to specific outcomes:
  • Identify the different components of a fleece and class the fleece accordingly.
  • Identify and class skirtings, belly pieces and lox.
  • Demonstrate the pressing, closing and marking of bales. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communication: relates to specific outcome:
  • Demonstrate the pressing, closing and marking of bales. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Inter-relatedness of Systems: relates to specific outcomes:
  • Identify and class skirtings, belly pieces and lox.
  • Demonstrate the pressing, closing and marking of bales. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  48970   National Certificate: Animal Production  Level 1  NQF Level 01  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  AgriSETA 
    Elective  48971   National Certificate: Mixed Farming Systems  Level 1  NQF Level 01  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  AgriSETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    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.
     
    1. Balemi Consulting Pty Ltd 
    2. Boikgantsho Consulting & Events 
    3. Bumunhu Services Providers Cc 
    4. Cedara College of Agriculture 
    5. Dihwai Food Cultural and Agricultural Services 
    6. ELSENBURG AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE 
    7. Escay Catering and other Services 
    8. Farm for Africa Training and Development 
    9. Food and Trees for Africa 
    10. Ghoenas Kraal Opleiding Sentrum 
    11. Heedmorine Training 
    12. Impact Plus Training Consultants 
    13. Interstate Clearing 092 (Pty) Ltd 
    14. Kgopane Trading Enterprise 
    15. Kimbali Holdings 
    16. KMK Training Services (PTY) Ltd 
    17. Knowledge For Ever 
    18. Leruo ke Matla Training and Enterprise Development Services 
    19. Madzivhandila Agricultural College 
    20. Maishamalema Development Training 
    21. Mananthatshema Skills Dev. Centre 
    22. Mathapuso Construction and Projects 
    23. Matotomana Training & General Trading 
    24. Medu Skills Consultants 
    25. Mobile Agri Skills Development and Training NPC 
    26. Mogaladi Business Enterprise 
    27. Morwa Agri-development cc 
    28. Mpontshe Training 
    29. Mvelo Consultant 
    30. National Institute For The Deaf - NID 
    31. National Woolgrowers Of South Africa 
    32. New Heights 1082 Pty Ltd 
    33. Nophelo Training Centre 
    34. Novi General Services 
    35. Phepha Consulting Services 
    36. Phill Skills and Development Institute 
    37. Retsogile Education and Training 
    38. SBJ Shadikamang Agriculture 
    39. Scientific Roots (Pty) Ltd 
    40. Sekhukhune FET College - Central Office 
    41. Selipha Trading (Pty) Ltd 
    42. Setlakala Business Development 
    43. Seza Bantu Rural Agricultural Projects 
    44. Sibizi and Lekhela Agric Business Trading (Pty) Ltd 
    45. Siyafundisa I Africa 
    46. Siyasanga Training Centre 
    47. Suidwes Beleggings Eiendoms Beperk 
    48. The Skills Development Hub (Pty) Ltd 
    49. Thuto Boshwa Skills Development Services 
    50. Thutong Learning College 
    51. Tlatlana Events Solution and Communication 
    52. TPN Training and Recruitment cc 
    53. Tripple R Training Provider 
    54. Tshenkeng's Consulting 
    55. Tsolo Agriculture and Rural Development Institute 
    56. Vari Holdings (Pty)Ltd 
    57. Voyano Project Management 
    58. Westco Agri Training 


    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.