Latest News
• Add My News • Search Old News
Where Does That Cow Come From The National Livestock Identification Scheme (NLIS) is being progressively implemented by Victoria’s cattle industry in partnership with the Victorian Government. By Department of Primary Industries - 4th June 2003 - Back to News The National Livestock Identification Scheme (NLIS) is being progressively implemented by Victoria’s cattle industry in partnership with the Victorian Government. As a result, more and more cattle are being NLIS tagged, and as such will remain identifiable for their entire lives.
"Whole of life" identification will allow for the speedy and accurate traceability of livestock and livestock product. It will protect and enhance Victoria’s reputation as a supplier of safe, wholesome beef and dairy products.
As part of the implementation of NLIS, all Victorian beef and dairy farmers should recently have received a letter signed by members of the livestock industry. The letter contains a plastic card about the size of a credit card on which is printed the farmer’s name, address and Property Identification Code (PIC).
The card is designed to make it easy for farmers who buy cattle at saleyards to provide the saleyard administration with the necessary information to enable the transferral of ownership of cattle from one person to another.
All you have to do when you purchase cattle is take the card from your wallet and provide your selling agent with the PIC of the property to which the cattle will be taken.
The selling agent is then able to provide saleyard administration with an accurate list of the PIC's’of buyers to enable efficient registration of cattle transactions and full and accurate traceability.
Traceability means that product can be ‘tracked’ from paddock to plate and vice-versa. A recent conversation with a saleyard operator provided a good analogy. The operator said, "This cattle identification system is no different to going to a supermarket to buy a can of coke. The can is an individual product with its own identification. The presence of a bar code means that the origin of the product and where that product has been can be readily determined. As you hand over your money at the supermarket the product is scanned at the checkout and ownership is transferred, just as the ownership of cattle will be transferred when they are sold and scanned at a saleyard."
Fast and accurate traceability provides confidence to domestic and overseas markets. It will ensure that any food safety or exotic disease incident that might occur is sourced and controlled as soon as is possible, and this will allow for a speedy return to normal trading conditions.
DUE COURSE FOR GORSE
The Federal Government has identified the weed Gorse (also known as Furze) Ulex Europaeus as a Weed of National Significance and through the National Heritage Trust (NHT) has provided funding to the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) to target new and existing infestations of the weed throughout Victoria.
Compared to some other regions, Gippsland has a relatively small number of Gorse infestations (approximately 130 known sites are recorded) and there is the possibility of eradicating the weed from the area through intensive management.
Local Catchment Management Officers in West Gippsland, Ian Brown and Alan Jeffries, have been inspecting these known infestations and any new ones in the West Gippsland area since March 2003.
Gorse is a regionally prohibited weed in the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority region. This means that it is the responsibility of the landholder to control it on their land.
In response to the Gorse inspections, many private landholders have been targeting Gorse on their properties and Department of Primary Industries works crews have been enlisted to spray it on roadsides in the West Gippsland area.
Mr Brown, Catchment Management Officer at Yarram, said that the majority of land managers have been treating the gorse on their properties but there are still some land managers that need to work on theirs.
"Congratulations must go to those land managers that have been busy treating or removing the plants," Mr Brown said.
"In order to reduce the amount of gorse in the catchment or even eradicate it, it must be done as a group effort and not just the minority to carry the burden of doing all the work."
Methods of Gorse control include chemical control or mechanical removal. Any regrowth should be dealt with by follow up spraying, cultivation and/or heavy grazing with sheep. (Any chemical used must be registered for use on Gorse (Furze). Please read and heed the label).
If you suspect you have Gorse on your property or would like further information, please contact your nearest Department of Primary Industries office or the Customer Service Centre on 136 186.
DUNG BEETLES
One of the most intriguing creatures found in nature surely is the dung beetle.
The adult beetles fly actively in search of fresh dung, some species by day and some by night. They can apparently fly for miles and can detect dung by smell over great distances.
When they land on a fresh dung pad they immediately burrow into it and start feeding. The mouths of the adult beetles are so formed that they can only suck the fluids of the fresh dung, and they feed on nothing else.
Once in the dung the beetles pair off, a male and a female working together to make dung balls for breeding. The female digs tunnels in the soil directly under the pad, and the male carries dung down the tunnels.
Dung beetles found in paddocks in Victoria could be either native or introduced species.
Native dung beetles occur throughout Victoria and are specialised to live on the dung of native animals. However, they may occasionally be found in the dung of introduced animals.
Dung beetles were introduced to Victoria by the CSIRO from the early 1970s until the early 1980s. These beetles came from Africa or Asia, where they were adapted to feed, and breed, in the dung of large herbivores. This makes them suited to the dung of our introduced farm animals.
Some of these introduced species have become established in Victoria and may be found in paddocks along with native ones.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
Related Articles- Matthew Canavan welcomes Commonwealth Bank branch extension, calls for stronger government action to protect regional banking services
Nationals leader Matt Canavan welcomed Commonwealth Bank’s decision to keep 281 regional branches open until 2030, while urging the Government to protect banking access and rebuild services lost elsewhere. - Nationals and Liberals pledge 10 new technical colleges, delivering hands-on training for 5,000 Victorian students
The Nationals and Liberals plan 10 new Technical Colleges across Victoria, providing 5,000 secondary students with hands-on vocational training and pathways into in-demand careers, including a new college in Gippsland. - Nationals introduced Bill to protect Victoria's agricultural land from poorly planned development and improve food security
The Nationals introduced a Victorian bill to protect agricultural land from poor development, recognising farming's $22 billion contribution and supporting long-term food security. - Nationals demand stronger policing as rising Latrobe Valley crime fuels growing community safety concerns and frustration
The Nationals say rising Latrobe Valley crime and fewer police officers demand urgent Labor government action, calling for stronger policing, tougher laws and better resources to restore community safety. - The Nationals unveil $40M plan offering health workers incentives to fill critical regional jobs across Gippsland and Victoria
The Nationals propose $40 million over four years for a Victorian Rural Health Workforce Incentive Scheme, offering eligible regional health workers up to $10,000 for relocation, accommodation and professional development. - The Nationals blame Labor government after 84 more jobs cut at Maryvale paper mill in Latrobe Valley
Nationals MP Martin Cameron blamed the Victorian Labor government after Opal announced 84 job cuts at Maryvale, arguing forestry policy and timber supply failures caused ongoing workforce losses. - The Nationals slam Labor's secret public transport tax funding costly suburban rail loop as regional Victorians bear the burden
The Nationals accuse Victoria's Labor government of secretly taxing public transport users $8 billion to fund the Suburban Rail Loop, while regional communities receive disproportionately less infrastructure funding. - The Nationals pledge to keep Victoria's coal-fired power stations operating amid growing electricity supply concerns
The Nationals' Martin Cameron has pledged existing Victorian coal-fired power stations will not close early, warning of electricity shortages, higher prices and job losses while advocating firm generation and gas investment. - The Nationals and farm groups warn EPBC changes create uncertainty for farmers and land management
Nationals leader Matt Canavan met with farm groups over concerns Labor’s EPBC changes could create uncertainty and regulatory risks. Industry wants amendments, clearer guidance, mapping, support tools and independent review. - Liberals and Nationals to audit Latrobe Valley coal overlays to unlock land for housing and industrial development
The Liberals and Nationals will audit Latrobe Valley coal overlays to identify outdated restrictions, potentially unlocking land for housing and industrial development while retaining protections where mine safety and ground stability remain at risk. - Liberal Nationals introduce bill to repeal Labor's firearms laws and abolish national gun buyback scheme
Federal Member for Maranoa David Littleproud has introduced a Bill, seconded by Andrew Wilcox, to repeal Labor’s firearms laws, restore previous Commonwealth regulations and abolish the stalled National Gun Buyback Scheme. - Darren Chester says Labor's national firearms buyback unfairly targets law-abiding regional firearm owners instead of addressing crime and security
Nationals representatives Gemma Rendell, Darren Chester and Bridget McKenzie joined East Gippsland firearm owners in Bairnsdale, opposing Labor's buyback and further restrictions while supporting lawful firearm use in regional communities. - East Gippsland Council advocates National Sovereign Wealth Fund to deliver long-term regional benefits from resource revenues
East Gippsland Council will advocate for a national Sovereign Wealth Fund funded by resource revenues, supporting long-term regional investment, infrastructure, resilience and intergenerational benefits while reducing reliance on competitive grants. - Gippsland families face rising cost pressures as Nationals criticise Labor government over interest rates, spending and inflation
The Nationals say rising interest rates are increasing pressure on Gippsland families, criticising Labor’s spending and inflation while outlining plans for budget discipline, tax cuts and productivity. - Darren Chester congratulates Maffra student Jaxon Marshall on National Youth Parliament selection representing Gippsland in Canberra
Maffra Secondary College student Jaxon Marshall will represent Gippsland at the 2026 National Youth Parliament, earning praise from Darren Chester for bringing regional and agricultural perspectives to Canberra. - Maffra student Jaxon Marshall champions resilient agriculture during National Youth Parliament visit to Canberra
Maffra student Jaxon Marshall represented Gippsland at National Youth Parliament, delivering a passionate speech advocating resilient agriculture, regenerative farming, research and stronger support for farmers and Australia’s future. - Have your say on the Planning Scheme Amendment C161egip - Lakes Entrance Northern Growth Area (Revised) to unlock growth until 21 September 2026
East Gippsland Shire Council is simplifying planning controls in Lakes Entrance Northern Growth Area, aiming to unlock housing growth, reduce red tape and support development over the next 30-plus years. - Gippsland secures $288M country roads and bridges commitment under national government
The Nationals will restore the Country Roads and Bridges Program, providing Victoria's 48 regional councils $1.5 million annually for four years to repair roads, bridges and local infrastructure. - Darren Chester urges federal government to restore wild dog funding, backing farmers' calls for national management certainty
Shadow Minister Darren Chester is urging the federal government to restore national wild dog funding, warning of $302 million annual agricultural losses and significant impacts on farmers, wildlife and regional communities.
|
