Electronic identification is becoming increasingly common across NSW sheep and goat saleyards as the livestock industry prepares for full mandatory tagging from 1 January 2027.
From that date, all sheep and goats in NSW will need an approved electronic identification device before leaving any property, regardless of their age. The system is designed to replace older mob-based movement records with individual animal traceability.
Saleyards Show Strong Uptake
Around 73 per cent of sheep and goats moving through NSW saleyards in 2026 are already fitted with an eID device, according to the latest NSW Government figures.
More than 5.5 million electronic tags have been scanned at saleyards since mandatory scanning requirements began in January 2025.
At Griffith Saleyards, a large sale in September saw around 16,000 sheep yarded, with more than 13,000 younger animals already carrying electronic tags.
The larger-than-usual yarding was partly linked to dry seasonal conditions, but the sale also provided an indication of how quickly younger livestock are moving into the electronic identification system.
Full Mandatory Tagging Starts in January
The eID system has been introduced in stages.
At present, sheep and goats born from 1 January 2025 must be fitted with an eID before leaving their property of birth.
Animals already carrying electronic tags must also have their movements individually recorded in the National Livestock Identification System.
From 1 January 2027, those requirements will extend to all sheep and goats, including older animals that can currently still move using visual identification tags.
Why eID Is Being Introduced
Electronic identification allows individual animals to be traced between farms, saleyards, processors and other locations.
Compared with the previous mob-based system, it provides more detailed movement records that can be used during disease outbreaks, food safety incidents or other biosecurity emergencies.
Saleyards will also move entirely to individual eID uploads from January 2027 rather than operating the current mixed system of electronic and mob-based records.
Industry Preparing for Final Transition
NSW has provided funding for eID readers, software, saleyard infrastructure and producer equipment as part of the transition.
Nearly 25 million eID tags have now been purchased since the rollout began, according to the NSW Government.
Producers will have until the end of 2026 to ensure older sheep and goats are also compliant before the statewide rules take full effect on 1 January 2027.
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