Tags
6. What are NLIS tags?
There are two types of visual NLIS tags approved for the permanent identification of sheep. These are the sheep breeder tag and the post-breeder tag.
Sheep breeder tags are colour coded to indicate year of birth. The tags are visually readable and can only be used to identify sheep that are still on their property of birth. Breeders are required to use the correct year of birth colour when marking their lambs to assist in recognition of age of the sheep. Sheep will only have one year of birth tag. Breeder tags are always fitted to the left ear for males and the right ear for females. Below is the year of birth colour code chart.
NLIS post-breeder tags are pink. They are used to identify sheep that are no longer on the property of birth. Sheep may have more than one pink post-breeder tag if they have been sold or moved more than once. Post-breeder tags are always fitted on the earmark ear – the left ear for females and the right ear for males.
7. Where do I get NLIS tags?
To order NLIS tags, contact your preferred tag supplier/manufacturer or visit your local rural supplier. A list of approved NLIS sheep tag manufacturers is available on the MLA website.
8. In WA, can we use electronic sheep NLIS tags?
Yes, an approved electronic NLIS tag can be used. These sheep tags are scanned and transferred on the NLIS database when the sheep move to another PIC just like cattle tags. If a new owner chooses not to use the electronic tags attached on the sheep when they buy them, they must attach one of their pink post-breeder tags. Do not remove the electronic tag (or any NLIS tag).
9. If I tag my sheep, do I still have to earmark?
Yes, you still have to earmark your sheep. In WA, you are required to earmark your sheep by weaning, 6 months of age or before sheep leave your property, whichever occurs first. Sheep must be branded, which is achieved by attaching the NLIS tag with the breeder’s brand on it. It is advised to earmark and tag at the same time. All sheep must therefore have an earmark and an NLIS tag before leaving your property.
Sheep need only be earmarked once in their life, and it's recommended that this be done while they are young and on the property of birth. An earmark consist of two specified shapes taken out of the ear in the specified positions.
10. Can I have my PIC printed on my NLIS tags?
Yes. Your PIC is allowed and can be used instead of your brand, however if you are using visual tags (not electronic), be aware that if you move your sheep to one of your properties with a different PIC, you will have to re-tag them to reflect the PIC of the property they are on.
Using your brand on your tags means that you do not have to re-tag when you move them between your properties, regardless of PIC, as all properties registered to you are recognised under your one brand.
11. Can I have my PIC and brand printed on my NLIS tags?
Yes, depending on the style of tag and the manufacturer’s recommendations. Your PIC, brand, trading name or property name may be printed on the opposite sides of the NLIS tag if there is space.
On a two piece (button) RFID tag, the company must print the NLIS logo and the NLIS number on it. It then has some options:
- printing additional information on the tag, such as a brand or property name; or “V”, “S” or “T” (V for vaccinated with Guidar vaccine, T for terminal lamb, and S for vaccinated for scabby mouth).
- if no additional information is printed, the words “Do Not Remove” will be printed on the male pin.
On one piece tags, additional text can be printed on the opposite side to the brand and NLIS logo. These tags do not have the requirement to print "Do not remove" even if alternative text is not provided.
12. Are there exemptions from using NLIS sheep tags?
Lambs can move with their correctly identified mothers from one property to another if the properties have the same PIC. This is the only instance where sheep can move without an NLIS tag and is designed to allow sheep to move to the yards for marking.
13. Do sheep need to be tagged before being dispatched to a saleyard or abattoir?
Yes, all sheep must be tagged with a tag bearing your brand (or PIC) before leaving your property for any reason, including going to a saleyard, abattoir, export depot or show.
You must provide a correctly completed NVD/waybill when dispatching sheep to a saleyard, abattoir, or another property with a different PIC. A plain waybill can be used to move sheep to shows and events.
14. What happens if sheep lose their NLIS tags?
Missing tags must be replaced before the sheep leave the property where they are located. If you have bred the sheep on that property and you know the year they were born, you may attach another NLIS breeder tag; If you are unsure or know that they were not born on your property, tag them with your pink post-breeder tag.
15. What do I do if an animal arrives at my property without any NLIS tags?
You must tag the animal with an NLIS post-breeder tag (pink) within 14 days of arrival. You must also earmark if they are not already marked.
Any other sheep arriving at your property require a pink post-breeder tag prior to them leaving your property, but it is advised to tag on arrival to assist with identifying them should they or other sheep stray.
16. Can I use left over NLIS breeder tags from other years if I have run out?
You can only use a year of birth coloured, approved breeder tag in the allocated years for that colour. It does not matter when you bought them, left overs can be used in the next cycle of that colour.
17. Can I use someone else's NLIS tags if I don’t have enough of my own?
No, you cannot use someone else’s tags.
You must only use tags with your registered brand on them, and on your property. Take care to order enough for a year’s worth of lambs – any left-over can be used in the next cycle of that year colour. If you intend to buy in sheep, always have an adequate supply of pink tags on hand.
18. What happens if my NLIS tags have wrong a PIC or brand printed on them?
Return them to the supplier or their agent and request a reprint. You cannot use tags that do not have your correct information.
Take care to supply the correct brand when ordering. Having your PIC card with you is advisable when placing orders for NLIS tags.
19. Do I have to tag sheep if they are already tagged by the previous owner?
Yes, use your pink post-breeder NLIS tags with your brand embossed on them. The sheep should be tagged prior to leaving the property, but it is advisable to tag on arrival to assist with identifying them should they or other sheep stray.
20. Can I have a vaccination symbol on my NLIS tags?
Yes. You can organise with your NLIS sheep tag supplier to have a vaccination indicator on your tags, as long as the tags also have the NLIS logo and your brand.
21. What do I do with lambs born on an agistment property with different PIC to my home property?
If your NLIS tags are embossed with your brand, you can use them on any property that is registered to you, regardless of the PIC. Your brand is recognised across all properties under your registration of ownership. However if your NLIS tags are printed with your PIC, you must tag the lambs with tags printed with the PIC for agisted property.
PICs in WA indicate location and ownership, so you must add any properties to your registration to indicate that stock on the property belong to you. This means that one property may have several PICs registered to it, indicating that stock belonging to different people are kept there. This assists in separating land issues from the stock owners, and stock issues from the land owner.