SHEEP and goat producers will get help with the adoption of electronic identification at workshops across Victoria next month.

From January 1, 2017, all sheep and goats born in Victoria will require an electronic National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) tag before they leave their property of birth.

Agriculture Victoria will conduct 11 face-to-face information sessions across the state over the next three weeks and hold a webinar December 1 from 8-9pm. The webinar will enable producers in more remote areas or those who are unable to attend an information session to access the information.

Agriculture Victoria’s Director of Agricultural Services Dougal Purcell said it was important that sheep and goat producers are familiar with what is required and what support is available.

“Agriculture Victoria is on hand to help producers with this new system and make sure they have access to the information they need.

“We’ll talk through how to purchase the newly priced electronic NLIS tags, what producers’ responsibilities are and how to access co-funded equipment grants,” he said.

Sessions in the Wimmera and Mallee have not been scheduled yet as cropping is underway, but additional workshops will be held in the area in the New Year. Farmers who are seeking additional information can join the webinar on December 1, or visit the Agriculture Victoria website.

Mr Purcell said the December sessions are about awareness of what’s required and the funding available to support producers.

“Further sessions next year will cover management opportunities some producers may have as a result of individual identification of their sheep and goats.”

“We would also like to hear from producers on what they see as the key information to include in the workshop program for 2017, please send ideas to [email protected],” Mr Purcell said.

Click here to register for the December 1 webinar. The webinar will provide Victorian producers with an overview of the standards and support available to help transition to the mandatory use of electronic ear tags. Presenters will be Ben Fahy, Manager, Certification Livestock Traceability (including NLIS) with Agriculture Victoria, and Garry Armstrong, senior sheep specialist with Agriculture Victoria.

If you are unable to register for the webinar online, please call 03 5761 1647 or email [email protected] Producers can join the webinar online through their internet connection or by phone.

Workshop dates and locations

Monday, December 5 – 12pm             East Gippsland Livestock Exchange, Bairnsdale

Tuesday, December 6 – 11am             Victorian Livestock Exchange, Pakenham

Tuesday, December 6 – 7.30am          Hamilton Saleyards Canteen, Hamilton

Wednesday, December 7 – 7.30am    Colac Golf Club

Wednesday, December 7 – 2pm         Victorian Livestock Exchange Leongatha, Koonwarra

Thursday, December 8 – 7.30am        Chalambar Golf Club, Ararat

Thursday, December 8 – 9am              Agriculture Victoria office at Epsom, Bendigo

Thursday, December 8 – 5.30pm        Mia Mia Hall, Mia Mia

Tuesday, December 13 – 1pm             Victorian Livestock Exchange, Sale

Tuesday, December 13 – 9am             ‘Glasshouse’ Lakeside Community Centre, Benalla

Wednesday, December 14 – 9am       Agriculture Victoria office, Rutherglen

The workshops will run for about 2.5 hours. More details on the workshops, including how to register, is available at www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/EIDworkshops or by calling 136 186.

Source: Agriculture Victoria.