Animal identification
There are 4 Statutory Management Requirements (SMRs) relating to animal identification and registration:
No. 6. The identification and registration of animals:
- To keep cattle, pigs, sheep or goats farmers must be registered with DARD
- Farmers are required to record pig movements on and off the farm and record the number of pigs on the farm
- Pigs must be individually identified by 6 months or when they leave the farm whichever is sooner
No. 7&8. Identification and registration of bovine animals:
Cattle farmers must keep their herd book up to date and record
- Ear tags, replacement tags
- Colour, breed, sex, date of birth
- Dam’s tag number and
- Manner and place of disposal of the carcass if the animal dies
- All calves should be double tagged within 20 days of birth with DARD approved tags
- Births, deaths and movement details should be notified to the DVO within relevant time limits
No. 9. Sheep and goat identification and registration:
- To keep sheep or goats farmers must be registered with DARD
- The farmer must maintain a flock register to record births; deaths, sales, purchases and movements
- Record manner and place of disposal of the carcass if the animal dies
- All sheep and goats must be tagged in the left ear by nine months or when they leave the farm whichever is sooner
- Farmers must follow the rules for movement, replacement and export tags
- Farmers must submit an annual inventory in December each year
- Movement details should be notified to the DVO within the relevant time limits