Navigating Livestock Management for Hobby Farmers: 5 Key Questions and Answers
As hobby farming grows in popularity, many small-scale livestock owners are beginning to navigate the complexities of animal management, identification, and legal responsibilities. Whether you’re running a small farm with a few ewes or a hobby farm with cattle, understanding the necessary documentation, identification requirements, and legal obligations is crucial. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions from hobby farmers about livestock management.
1. Moving Stock Between Properties, Purchasing Tags in Small Numbers, and Sale Yard Documentation
Moving livestock between properties is a common practice, but it comes with important rules and regulations. One of the most frequently asked questions is about the purchase of tags and the necessary documents for livestock sales.
Purchasing Tags: In Australia, livestock identification is managed through the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS). Hobby farmers may wonder how to get tags in small numbers. While some suppliers may have minimum order requirements, you can usually purchase tags in small quantities. For instance, it’s possible to buy less than 50 tags from retailers or through local agents that provide smaller quantities. You will need to request and submit an Order Form with your states DPI authority to obtain authority to order the devices from a tag supplier.
Documents for Sale Yards: When sending livestock to a sale yard, you’ll need to provide specific documents to comply with regulatory standards. This typically includes: NVD or eNVD.
Understanding these documentation requirements is essential to avoid potential delays or compliance issues and/or penalties. These documents are declarations and must be completed truthfully.
2. Are There Consequences for Not Updating the NLIS?
The National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) plays a critical role in ensuring the traceability of livestock in Australia. It helps authorities trace the origin of animals during disease outbreaks or food safety concerns.
Consequences of Not Updating the NLIS: Failing to update the NLIS can lead to several issues: Legal Penalties: Non-compliance with NLIS regulations could result in fines or other penalties. Loss of Market Access: If your livestock are not registered or properly updated in the NLIS, you may face difficulties selling animals at markets, auctions, or to processors. Animal Traceability Issues: In the event of disease outbreaks, unregistered or outdated NLIS records could hinder the ability to trace animals back to their source, causing further complications.
It’s vital for all livestock owners, hobby farmers included, to regularly update their records and ensure that any movement of stock is logged accurately.
3. What Are Our Responsibilities Regarding Recording and Identifying Details with Five Ewes on Property?
Even small-scale livestock farmers are subject to specific requirements for livestock identification and record-keeping. With five ewes, for example, hobby farmers must adhere to the following:
Livestock Identification: Every ewe must be tagged with an NLIS-approved identification tag. This allows for the traceability of the animals.
Record Keeping: As a livestock owner, you must keep accurate records of the identification details of each animal on your property, including:
Although it’s a small number of animals, hobby farmers must still follow these regulations to ensure compliance and traceability.
4. What Happens If You Are Given a Poddy, and the Farmer Didn't Provide PIC Details?
Receiving a poddy (a young, orphaned animal) without the necessary Property Identification Code (PIC) details from the original farmer is a common issue for hobby farmers. Here’s what you can do:
Adding to the Database: If you receive an animal and don’t have the PIC details, you can register the poddy with your own PIC. To do this: Contact your local animal registry or livestock agent. Provide all relevant details about the animal, including species, breed, and any identification tags (if available). Complete the necessary paperwork to add the poddy to the database.
While the lack of PIC details from the previous owner can be a complication, the key is to update your records accurately and ensure that all livestock on your property is properly identified and traceable.
5. Documentation Requirements for Hobby Farms with Less Than 10 Cattle
Hobby farms with fewer than 10 cattle may wonder about the specific documentation requirements for their operations. While the rules may be more relaxed for smaller operations, there are still key responsibilities:
NLIS Tags: Even with fewer than 10 cattle, each animal must be tagged with an NLIS-approved identification tag.
Movement Records: If you move cattle off your property (to a sale yard, to slaughter, or to another farm), you need to update the movement records with the appropriate authorities.
Animal Welfare and Biosecurity Documentation: Ensure that you have all animal welfare and biosecurity requirements completed, especially when selling or moving cattle.
For small hobby farms, it’s crucial to keep track of these basic documentation requirements to avoid compliance issues and maintain the traceability of your cattle.
Conclusion
Managing livestock on a hobby farm requires attention to detail and adherence to various regulations. Whether it’s moving animals between properties, registering their identification, or keeping proper records. Hobby farmers must stay informed about the requirements in place to ensure their operations are compliant and efficient.
By understanding these key responsibilities, hobby farmers can focus on enjoying their livestock while ensuring that their management practices align with legal requirements.
Remember, whether you have five ewes or a handful of cattle, following these guidelines is essential for maintaining a healthy and compliant farming operation.
Please contact Amanda at JAB Agri Solutions for anymore helpful information or for any questions you may have at amanda@jabagrisolutions.com.au or subscribe to our database to ensure you don't miss anything at https://www.jabagrisolutions.com.au/