Electronic sheep and goat ear tags of any colour qualify for Victorian subsidy next year.

VICTORIAN sheep and goat producers will be able to order subsidised ear tags of any colour in 2018.

Victorian Farmers Federation Livestock Group president Leonard Vallance said the VFF has advocated that farmers not have to change their farm management practices during the roll out of the system.

“As a result the subsidy will extend to all tag colours for 2018 as opposed to the ‘year by colour’ subsidy in 2017.

“I received numerous calls from farmers telling me they don’t use ‘year by colour’ as a management practise so I took that directly to the Ministers office and I thank Minister Pulford for listening”, Mr Vallance said.

The Victorian Farmers Federation Livestock Group has welcomed the continuing investment into the eID tag price as the State government rolls out the new electronic system.

Investment from the government is through the $17 million Sheep and Goat Transition fund. The aim of the fund is to help Victoria’s sheep industry implement electronic identification along the supply chain to provide consumers with a lifetime traceability guarantee.

Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford last week announced that Victorian sheep producers will pay 45 cents for subsidised electronic sheep tags next year. This is about 10 cents a tag above the subsidised cost-neutral price for 2017. All sheep and goats born in Victoria since January 1 2017 require an electronic tag.

Mr Vallance said Victorian sheep farmers had accepted the challenge of implementing the new system with 10 million tags sold to date displaying the progressive mindset of the industry. Most of the 2017 tags have been supplied at a cost neutral price starting from 35 cents.

“It’s pleasing to see farmers and the processing sector on track with implementation and we look forward to seeing the saleyards come on line in the New Year.”

The VFF continues to consult with Agriculture Victoria, state government and sheep producers to ensure the introduction of the electronic identification system doesn’t burden farmers.

“We’re working towards a cost efficient data transfer system to safeguard farmers from the associated cost with the NLIS,” Mr Vallance said.

More information on eID in Sheep and Goats can be found here: http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/livestock/national-livestock-identification-system/nlis-sheep-and-goats

Source: VFF.