Minister launches tagging system

Electronic tagging of sheep and goats represents major industry reform and Victorian Agriculture Minister Jaala Pulford had the honour of tagging some of the season’s first autumn lambs.

Visiting a property near Ballan, Ms Pulford electronically tagged premium Dorset stud lambs.

Ms Pulford announced the implementation of an electronic National Livestock Identification System, NLIS, for sheep and goats last year as part of a $17-million industry and farmer support package.

The mandatory use of electronic tags came into effect on January 1 this year, with lambs and kids born in Victoria on or after this date requiring an electronic tag before leaving the property of birth.

Ms Pulford said introducing the reform improved biosecurity for valuable sheep and goat sectors and supported innovation, productivity, traceability and market access. “Electronic ID will help protect Victoria’s sheep and goat industries and our access to important export markets,” she said.

“This is game-changing technology and Victorian farmers are proudly leading the way.”

Throughout April, farmers from across the state attended on-farm workshops to learn how to take tagging to the next level, with independent experts demonstrating the potential of electronic ID for flock management, productivity improvements and profit maximisation.

Ms Pulford said every producer has access to cost-neutral tags for the first 12 months for their 2017 lambs and kids, with tags available from 35 cents each.

She said more information was available online at www. agriculture.vic.gov.au/sheepeid.