Know the finer points of your NAIT

Cattle and deer must be tagged before they are 6-months-old.

Since NAIT (National Animal Identification and Tracing) became mandatory for cattle on July 1, 2012 and deer on March 1, 2013 there have been a few teething issues but generally the new system has been successfully adopted.

To help clarify the essential requirements for anyone who is unsure, here is a brief summary.

All cattle and deer must be tagged within six months of birth or before being moved off farm.

When tagging animals it is important that the tag be placed in the centre of the ear between the two veins. Tags should not be placed on the tip or edge of the ear. Correct placement significantly improves tag retention rates.

The use of HDX tags is recommended, particularly if you are using tags for long-term management purposes as the FDX tags are more prone to environmental interference.

Once you have tagged your animals you want to be able to read them. It is recommended that all farmers have some description of RFID tag reader; there is a variety available on the market.

There may also be opportunities available to hire an RFID reader or to use a NAIT-accredited information provider to read and register your tags.

If you are having trouble reading tags, first check there is not another tag in the area which may be causing interference. Problems can occur if a tag has been dropped at the bottom of the race or by having a bucket of tags nearby.

Once you have tagged your animals they must be registered with NAIT within seven days. This links the individual animal and their tag in the system to enable their lifetime traceability records.

It also means NAIT knows the tags have gone into animals and provides a record should there be issues in the future. Animals can be registered by logging into the system at animaltrace.nait.co.nz

There are five different ways you can register your animals:

-Selecting the animals from a list of tags you have purchased

-Manually type in tag numbers

-Upload a tag number file

-Upload a CSV file -- this allows tag numbers and animal details to be uploaded

-Using a paper form (processing fee applies).

For the traceability system to be effective it is essential that all movements be recorded -- even private sales, grazing, mating movements, gypsy day and transfers between properties under the same ownership but greater than 20km apart.

All stock movements must be registered within 48 hours of the movement occurring. For farm-to-farm movements the movement must be recorded and acknowledged by both the sending and receiving parties.

When sending animals, log in to the NAIT system and register the movement of the specified animals. The receiving party will then receive a notification of the movement which they accept (if it is correct). If you are receiving stock and have not received a notification you can register a receiving movement, which is then sent to the sending party to accept.

Currently you are not required to register movements to meat processors. However, as a precautionary measure you are able to register this movement. This can then provide confirmation that all animals had functioning tags upon leaving the property should issues arise later on.

NAIT has been developed to help safeguard our livestock industry; protect farmers incomes; enhance our reputation for producing safe, high-quality products; enable a fast response to animal disease outbreaks and maintain access to global markets. Be sure to play your part and register all animals and movements.

If you have any difficulties contact the NAIT helpline on 0800 624 843.