Lambs with electronic ear tags.

VICTORIAN sheep and cattle producers will continue to have access to Australia’s cheapest electronic ear tags, Agriculture Victoria said today.

Agriculture Victoria biosecurity executive director Charlotte Austin said the outcome of the recent competitive tender process means the state’s producers can buy National Livestock Identification System tags at prices equal to or lower than last year.

“Victorian producers continue to access NLIS tags at some of the nation’s lowest prices, keeping on-farm costs down and upholding our world-class traceability reputation,” she said.

Agriculture Victoria said sheep producers can access the cheapest NLIS sheep tag for $1, well below unsubsidised prices in other jurisdictions.

Ms Austin said the cheapest NLIS cattle tag is now available for just 72 cents when ordered online through Agriculture Victoria, down from 75 cents last year.

“By comparison, cattle producers in other states are paying between $2.50 and $4 per NLIS cattle tag,” she said.

The range of approved NLIS cattle tags has also expanded, including a one-piece metal tag from Shearwell Australia and NLIS tags manufactured by Enduro Tags and FOFIA.

“The recent tender process secured strong wholesale pricing, supported by subsidies from Victoria’s livestock compensation funds, delivering significant savings producers.

“More than two million cattle tags and 10 million sheep tags are expected to be purchased in 2026,” Ms Austin said.

“This system allows livestock to be traced quickly and efficiently during food safety or disease incidents, helping protect Victoria’s domestic and protect access to export markets.”

Ms Austin said Victoria led the development and introduction of the NLIS (cattle) in the 1990s, and the NLIS sheep and goat system commenced on a mandatory basis in 2017.

“Victoria’s livestock industries can be justifiably proud of their long-standing contribution to the development and operation of Australia’s internationally recognised traceability system,” Ms Austin said.

For more information on the operation of the NLIS in Victoria, click here or call 1800 678779 during business hours.

Source – Agriculture Victoria.