Selling or purchasing cattle in the NT - Brands, Waybills and NLIS implications

Do you know what your legal obligations are under the Livestock Act and Regulations?

Brands in the NT – Under Livestock Regulations 60(1)  A person must not sell, give away, exchange or receive travelling livestock that are unbranded cattle.  Unbranded cattle, means cattle of at least 8 months of age that have not previously been branded. It is therefore compulsory to brand cattle before they are moved off a property or are sold, unless they are less than 8 months of age. You may apply to the Registrar for Special Permission to move Unbranded Cattle. Please discuss with your Regional Livestock Biosecurity Officer.

Cross branding Cattle/Buffalo after purchase is not mandatory in the NT, however if livestock are not cross branded it provides no legal claim to purchased stock.  Purchased cattle/buffalo need to be cross branded correctly to provide evidence of ownership. Please refer to Agnote – Livestock Identification – Branding and Cross Branding in the NT.

Waybills - It is a mandatory requirement for cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, camels, alpacas, llamas, deer and pig owners to complete a waybill whenever stock are moved outside the boundaries of a property.  PICs are required for both Origin and Destination properties. Pink copies must be sent to the Registrar within 28 days of livestock being moved.

National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) – NLIS devices (RFIDs) need to be attached to cattle before they leave the property. It is the responsibility of the owner of the property receiving cattle to ensure that the NLIS devices are read then transferred to the NLIS database within 48 hours of cattle arriving at the property.

Check out our Website  https://www.nt.gov.au/industry/agriculture/livestock   or contact your RLBO for assistance

Darwin Region
Rob Wait (A/RLBO)
Ph:  08 8999 2034

Katherine Region
Josh Haigh (A/RLBO)
Ph:  08 8973 9767

Tennant Creek Region
Tom Haines (RLBO)
Ph:  08 8962 4458

Alice Springs Region
Greg Crawford (RLBO)
Ph:  08 8951 8125


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