Agricultural shows, livestock events and rodeos NLIS requirements

Agricultural show, event and rodeo operators must ensure all livestock are properly identified, scanned and recorded on the NLIS database.

Operators of agricultural shows, livestock events and rodeos must ensure they meet the following requirements.

Property Identification Code (PIC)

A show, event or rodeo must have a PIC registered to the property at which a show, event or rodeo is located. The PIC details must also be up to date.

You can also call the Agriculture Victoria NLIS Helpline on 1800 678 779.

NLIS account

Agricultural show, event and rodeo operators must have a Sporting Event NLIS account to transfer or record livestock as sighted on the NLIS database.

Apply for an NLIS account online or call the NLIS Database Helpdesk on 1800 683 111.

Livestock NLIS tagging

All livestock attending an agricultural show, event or rodeo must be tagged with the correct NLIS tag.

If a cow, sheep or non-exempt goat is untagged, incorrectly tagged, or has a tag that cannot be read, it must be tagged with a post-breeder tag with the show, event or rodeo PIC on it:

• Orange post-breeder tag for cattle
• Pink post-breeder tag for sheep and goats

Sheep and non-exempt goats coming from interstate must be identified with an electronic NLIS (Sheep) tag.

Post-Breeder tags can be ordered online or call the Agriculture Victoria NLIS Helpline on 1800 678 779. Tags should be ordered early to ensure they are available before the event.

Exempt goat breeds tagging requirements

The following goat breeds are exempt from electronic NLIS tagging:

• Miniature
• Saanen
• British Alpine
• Toggenburg
• Anglo Nubian
• Melaan
• Australian Brown
• Alpine
• LaMancha
• Nigerian Dwarf

Scan livestock tags

All cattle, sheep and goats present at an agricultural show, event or rodeo must be scanned.

If event operators do not have a scanner, they can borrow one from an Agriculture Victoria Animal Health staff member, or hire a contractor to scan the livestock.

NLIS transfer requirements

A full NLIS transfer or sighted transfer onto the show, event or rodeo PIC must be completed within two days of the event.

A sighted transfer can be used when livestock return to their original property after the event.

Animals that are auctioned, sold or moved to a different property must be transferred from the property of origin to the event PIC, and then to the destination PIC.

To complete a NLIS or sighted transfer:

1. Login onto the NLIS database
2. Choose what livestock species you want to work with.
3. Notify the database of – Livestock moved onto my property – (full NLIS transfer) – for use when animals won't return to the property of origin
4. Notify the database of – Sighted livestock – (simplified transfer) – for use when animals will return to the property of origin.

The following data must be entered when completing an NLIS or sighted transfer:

• Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID) internal number, or visually read external NLIS tag number for each animal
• PIC of the property the animals came from or the PIC of the event (depending on NLIS transfer completed)
• date the animals arrived at the show, event or rodeo
• event name or description – for example Benalla A & P Society Spring Show 2018 – (sighted transfer only).

Further information on completing a sighted transfer is available by contacting the NLIS Database Helpdesk.

Requirements for exempt goats, pigs and untagged cattle, sheep and goats (no PB tags)

Goat breeds that are exempt from electronic NLIS tagging and are not electronically NLIS tagged, all pigs and untagged cattle, sheep and non-exempt goats that cannot be tagged with a show or event PB tag must have the following details recorded:

• the property PIC where the animals came from,
• the owners/managers name and contact details,
• the species and description of the animals,
• the total number of animals and
• if pigs are NLIS identified (tag or tattoo) and for untagged cattle, sheep and non-exempt goats – reasoning why they are untagged eg. The show ran out of PB tags.

Download:

• Traceability information sheet [MS Excel Document - 11.6 KB]
• Traceability information sheet [MS Word Document - 28.5 KB]

The completed form must be emailed through to Agriculture Victoria at livestocktraceability@agriculture.vic.gov.au

More information

Agriculture Victoria NLIS Helpline between 9 am and 4.30 pm Monday to Friday on 1800 678 779 or email nlis.victoria@agriculture.vic.gov.au.

NLIS Database Helpdesk between 9 am and 5 pm Monday to Friday on 1800 683 111 or email support@nlis.com.au.

Visit the NLIS website for more information on how to use the NLIS database.

Traceability: your livestock, your industry, our future.