More than 9,627 land managers across the Northern Tablelands region, who pay Local Land Services rates, or have a Property Identification Code will soon receive their Annual Land and Stock Returns, in a bid to build a statewide picture of agricultural use and livestock numbers.
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These are among 150,000 annual returns across NSW that are due to be lodged by August 31, in a process that is essential for ensuring that domestic and export livestock markets remain open for NSW producers.
The returns are essentially a census for livestock on June 30 each year, and include all stock six months of age or older, regardless of whether they belong to the landholder, are agisted or on the property for any other reason. Pigs of any age should be counted, as well as flocks of 100 or more poultry.
Northern Tablelands Local Land Services (LLS) General Manager, Paul Hutchings, said it was important to complete an Annual Land and Stock Return - even if land managers have no stock.
“If the Annual Land and Stock Return isn’t lodged by August 31, an animal health rate and meat industry levy will automatically be applied to next year’s rates notice,” Mr Hutchings said.
Along with the stock identification and traceability systems Local Land Services manages, the information is invaluable in the event of an emergency disease outbreak, such as avian influenza or Hendra virus.
“NSW produce is free of many of the pests and diseases found in other parts of the world,” Mr Hutchings said.
“This information helps us go directly to the people whose land or stock may be affected in an emergency in our region.”
Land managers can lodge their returns online at www.lls.nsw.gov.au
