SHEEP

Victorian sheep producers set NLIS tag record

Victorian sheep producers lead the way with electronic NLIS tags, breaking new ground as they go.

Staff writer

This article is 3 years old. Images might not display.

During December 2021, approximately one million electronic NLIS (sheep) tags were read in Victorian saleyards and abattoirs and movements uploaded to the NLIS database demonstrating widespread adoption by industry.

Agriculture Victoria's manager Livestock Traceability, Ben Fahy, said electronic identification (EID) tagging and movement recording facilitate accurate ‘whole-of-life' tracking of sheep and goats for food safety, disease control and market access purposes.

"Electronic tagging is an important tool in ensuring that Victorian sheep and goats can be quickly tracked in the event of a disease outbreak or food safety issue," he said.

"Victorian saleyards have become world leaders in this area. They have demonstrated repeatedly and over a long time now, the ability to efficiently scan thousands of sheep on a daily basis," Fahy said.

Electronic tagging has been required in the United Kingdom for several years because of the role that sheep can play in the spread of infectious diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). But unlike the situation in Victoria, saleyards in the UK typically only sell and scan fewer than 10,000 head at a sale.

"The excellent traceability of Victoria's system was demonstrated by the SAFEMEAT sheep traceability evaluation which showed that Victorian EID tagged sheep were 99 per cent traceable, compared to 70 per cent traceability for interstate sheep that do not require electronic tags," Fahy said.

"The automatic verification of the presence of a sheep or goat at a saleyard following the scanning of its tag enables reliable traceback and facilities prompt contact tracing in a disease emergency. Contract tracing where saleyards are involved in the recent movement history of sheep can only be done successfully with electronic tagging," he said.

"The entire livestock supply chain should be congratulated for their efforts during Victoria's implementation of an electronic NLIS (Sheep & Goats) system," Fahy said.

Since 2017, producers have purchased more than 51 million electronic NLIS (sheep) tags and almost 35 million sheep and goat movements have been recorded on the NLIS database.

From 1 January this year, all sheep and non-exempt goats need to be identified with an electronic NLIS (sheep) tag before leaving a Victorian farm.

Victorian sheep and goat producers are able to access the most affordable electronic tags in Australia with prices starting from 77 cents per tag.

For more information, visit https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/livestock-and-animals/national-livestock-identification-system

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the farming sector, brought to you by the Kondinin team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the farming sector, brought to you by the Kondinin team.

editions

Research Report: Cordless Impact Wrenches (July 2025)

Six battery-powered impact wrenches were bench tested in this month's Research Report, focusing on their ability to get nuts done up and undone.

editions

Research Report: Mouse Bait Applications (June 2025)

Mice remain a significant issue for cropping regions and the June Research Report, supported by an investment from the Grains Research and Development Corporation, brings together the latest research and practical recommendations for bait spreading and machinery performance to help growers improve mouse control strategies.

editions

Research Report: Farm Labour (May 2025)

Farm labour, whether temporary, casual, contract or permanent staff, is an essential part of agriculture. This Research Report provides insights to help better source and manage one of the farm’s most valuable assets – its people.

editions

Research Report: Sheep Yards (April 2025)

This month's Research Report includes more than a dozen case studies of new sheep yard builds and renovations from around the country. There are plenty of ideas to make the handling of stock more efficient and stress-free.