NLIS cattle

Cattle identification and traceability

NLIS-accredited radio frequency identification devices (RFID) contain microchips encoded with unique numbers linked to the animal's PIC for the property of birth. These numbers are uploaded to the NLIS database by tag manufacturers.

• Cattle producers apply a white NLIS device (either an ear tag or a rumen bolus/ear tag combination) to cattle bred on their property.
• When cattle move from one PIC to another, devices are scanned electronically with a tag reader, or the NLIS ID number printed on the outside of the device is read visually and the numbers noted. The transaction details are then recorded on the database and automatic notifications are sent to the appropriate account holders and authorities via email.
• If cattle are bought or sold through a saleyard or sold to an abattoir, the saleyard or abattoir records the transaction.
• If cattle are bought or sold privately, the person who receives the cattle is responsible for notifying the database.
• If cattle move between properties with a different PIC, the movements must be recorded on the database, even if the properties have the same owner.
• If cattle move to an agistment property owned by someone else, the movement off the owner's property and onto the agistment property must be recorded on the database.

NLIS and meat safety status

Each PIC an animal resides on is stored on the database to allow cattle to be traced quickly - providing a history of an animal's residency, and the animals it has had contact with. A status may be assigned to an individual animal, or to some or all animals on a property.

A 'device status' for an animal can indicate a damaged device, stolen animal, vaccinated animal, breeding animal or animal exposed to disease or chemicals. A 'PIC status' can indicate that all the animals on that property were exposed to disease or chemicals. The status of animals alerts the abattoir to test the cattle at slaughter. This maintains the safety, quality and integrity standards of Australian beef and reduces the impact of a livestock disease epidemic or residue incident.

NLIS equipment

There are various types of NLIS-accredited devices and several tag manufacturers. NLIS Ltd accredits devices that meet perormance standards, but not equipment such as readers or weigh scales, or software packages from other companies. Producers should always contact the equipment manufacturer or supplier for current products and prices.

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