Lambs being sold at Ouyen in Victoria.

VICTORIAN saleyards have been given more time to apply for funding to transition to sheep and goat electronic identification, but the State Government has held firm on a March 31 2018 deadline for scanning to begin at the live auction centres.

Applicants for funding to support planning for EID in saleyards now have another three months to get applications in by June 30 2017.

There is also extra time – another four months — until October 31 2017, for saleyards to apply for funding for the installation and testing of electronic EID infrastructure.

There is no change; however, to the deadline of March 31 2018, when all saleyards must begin to scan electronically tagged sheep and goats, Agriculture Victoria said in a statement today.

Agriculture Victoria’s director of sheep electronic identification, Warren Straw, said that the new closing date for funding gives the saleyard sector more time to learn and investigate their options before submitting funding applications.

“We know that this is a substantial transition and that saleyards need to learn and adapt.

“I encourage saleyards to make the most of this extension and submit a well-considered application for funding,” Mr. Straw said.

The time extension for funding applications was recommended by the Victorian Sheep and Goats Identification Advisory Committee (SGIAC) and approved by Minister for Agriculture, Jaala Pulford.

Agriculture Victoria said the extension is based on clear advice from the industry, chiefly represented by the Australian Livestock Saleyards Association, that additional time would ensure better final outcomes and enable more detailed planning by saleyard operators and related businesses.

ALSA and others will be trialling and demonstrating technology in saleyards in the coming months, Agriculture Victoria said.

Furthermore, the majority of established electronic tagging and infrastructure service providers have told ALSA they will not be ready to demonstrate new equipment and systems until mid-year.

Results from the trials and demonstrations of equipment and systems are key sources of information for saleyards and will enable the submission of high quality funding applications, Agriculture Victoria said.

Funding details and application forms can be found at www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/sheepEID, or by emailing [email protected].

Source: Agriculture Victoria.