Moving livestock to and from a show or exhibition

Moving livestock to and from a show or exhibition

When transporting livestock to and from an agricultural show or exhibition, you must ensure you meet your integrity requirements.

These requirements differ according to the legislation in your state or territory and must be adhered to in order to ensure the livestock you produce is safe to eat, fully traceable and in demand.

Particularly, ensuring you have met your requirements around recording livestock movements in the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) and completing an LPA National Vendor Declaration (NVD) is essential to guaranteeing the integrity of the Australian red meat we produce.

Livestock producers must ensure all livestock transfers off their Property Identification Code (PIC) have been completed in the NLIS database and should request the upload ID if another party is completing the transfer. All LPA-accredited producers, must complete an LPA NVD every time livestock are moved off their PIC, including to shows and event.  Movement records, transported stock statements and NT waybills do not meet the requirements of the LPA program and cannot be used in place of an LPA NVD (but can be used in addition, if required).

Read on to find out the specific requirements for your state or territory when transporting livestock to and from an agricultural show or exhibition.

State or territory requirements when moving livestock to and from a show or exhibition

Queensland

The showground (or event site) must have a Property Identification Code (PIC).

The event committee is responsible for reporting all movements of cattle, sheep, goats and pigs to the NLIS database within 48 hours of the livestock leaving the event, in line with QLD requirements for reporting these movements.

All livestock movements from the property of origin to the event and return must be accompanied by a movement record, completed by the person who is moving the animal. If you are an LPA-accredited producer, you must use an LPA NVD as the movement record.

The event organiser must record the details of where the animal came from, the address, where the animal is travelling after the event, animal description, date of event and when the animals arrived and left. This information is also held on a movement record (which will be an LPA NVD for LPA-accredited producers).

New South Wales

The showground (or event site) must have a PIC.

All livestock must be accompanied by an NVD (compulsory for all LPA-accredited producers) or alternate movement document (if the owner is not LPA-accredited). One NVD (or other movement document) can be used for both trips, provided that the destination on the form is the name of the show or event and ‘Return’ is noted on the form.

All livestock are to be fitted with an NLIS device before leaving their property to attend the event or show

The event organiser must record the livestock movement onto and off the event site in the NLIS database using the information in the NVD or other movement document. The show organiser must be supplied with the PIC that the livestock are being moved to after the show. 

View NSW NLIS guidelines for shows and sporting events.

Victoria

The showground (or event site) must have a PIC

An NVD is not required to move livestock to and from the event, provided that the livestock return to the exhibitor’s property after the event. However, note that to remain accredited with LPA, you must complete an NVD for these movements. One NVD can be used for both trips, provided that the destination on the form is the name of the show or event and ‘Return’ is noted on the form.

All cattle, sheep and goats present at an agricultural show or event must be identified with an electronic NLIS device

Animals that won’t be returned home must be transferred onto the show/event PIC in the NLIS database by the event organiser, and then off this PIC to their next destination when they leave the event.

For livestock returning home after the show, a sighted transfer must be completed in the NLIS database within 48 hours of the show/event occurring by the organiser of the show/event.

View Victorian NLIS requirements for agricultural shows and livestock events.

Australian Capital Territory

All livestock going to and from the event must be accompanied by a NVD (compulsory for all LPA-accredited producers) or waybill.

The event organiser is responsible for completing all livestock transfers in the NLIS database for livestock moving to and from the show.

View livestock management requirements in the Australian Capital Territory.

Western Australia

The showground (or event site) must have a PIC

Livestock moving to and from the show must be accompanied by a plain waybill, an NVD/Waybill or a permit. If LPA-accredited, you must use an LPA NVD. When using an NVD in this instance, the livestock owner only needs to fill out one form for the journey to and from the show –provided the destination name, address, PIC is written on the document along with the date of return and words ‘and return’.

Livestock transfers in the NLIS database are the responsibility of the receiver of the stock and must be completed within 48 hours of the livestock’s arrival at the showgrounds or on return to the livestock owners’ PIC.

The event organiser must keep animal records of livestock at the show.

Read more information on Western Australia's requirements for livestock ownership, identification and movement. 

South Australia

Livestock moving to and from the show must be accompanied by an NVD (compulsory for all LPA-accredited producers) or waybill.

The event organiser is responsible for completing all livestock transfers in the NLIS database for livestock moving to and from the show. These livestock transfers to and from the show only need to be completed if the event is three days or more in length.

Contact the Department of Primary Industries and Regions for more information on NLIS requirements in South Australia. 

Northern Territory

The showground (or event site) must have a PIC

All livestock present at the show must be fitted with an electronic (RFID) NLIS device

The owner of the showground must complete the livestock transfer onto the event site in the NLIS database, for all livestock present at the show.

When livestock return home from the show, the livestock owner is responsible for completing this livestock transfer in the NLIS database.

Download the NLIS guideline for shows, rodeos and sporting events in the NT.

Tasmania

Showgrounds can have a PIC

All livestock going to and from the event must be accompanied by a NVD (compulsory for all LPA-accredited producers) or waybill. Generally, one NVD must be completed for the livestock movement to the show, and then a second, separate NVD must be completed for the livestock movement from the show to their next destination.

The event organiser is responsible for completing all livestock transfers in the NLIS database for livestock moving to and from the show.

Read more information on Tasmanian livestock identification requirements. 

Livestock consigned to slaughter after the event

To ensure carcase competition cattle can remain MSA eligible producers need to meet the below requirements that are part of the MSA standards.

MSA Led Steer Pathway - In addition to the on-farm responsibilities (as outlined in the MSA Standards Manual for livestock supply):

a) All animals are to be on full feed and water prior to dispatch from the showground

b) All animals to be slaughtered within 24 hours of dispatch from the showground

c) MSA vendor declaration must accompany cattle to the showground and be submitted to the organising committee

d) The showground or other venue must have a MSA producer registration number and provide an MSA vendor declaration for the entire consignment to the abattoir

e) Unled cattle associated with competitions are ineligible for this pathway.

Returning home

When livestock return home from the agricultural show or exhibition, keep in mind that they should be segregated from other animals for a time so they can be monitored for disease, parasites, or an associated spread of weeds. The quarantine period should reflect the potential risk associated with the returning livestock. At a minimum, allow sufficient time for emptying out (24–48 hours) including time off feed before turning out.

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More information

Contact your state or territory authority for more information on your integrity requirements when transporting livestock to and from an agricultural show or exhibition.

Access ISC’s NLIS how-to guides or watch this short video to learn how to complete an NVD for more assistance with meeting your integrity requirements. Need an LPA NVD now? Use the eNVD system to create a digital version of the NVD using a computer, tablet or mobile phone.