It has been three months since producers have been required to fit an approved NLIS device to all cattle in NSW.

The State Government’s subsidised tag scheme has been in place since March, to help producers get cheaper tags as they geared up for the new requirement.

Overall response to the NLIS has been phenomenal, with more than 6.5 million tags on the NLIS database so far.

That’s 500,000 more tags than cattle in NSW, indicating most producers are planning ahead.

Tags ordered through the Rural Lands Protection Boards and fulfilled by Allflex as part of the State Government’s subsidised scheme are generally being dispatched in around four weeks and Allflex is working hard to see that those delivery times are steadily reduced.

The NLIS will give our producers the most advanced and efficient trace-back system in the world and we will continue to work with industry to address any issues as they arise.

OJD program gets new life

This month, a new transaction based contribution system will begin to help repay nearly 450 sheep producers still owed monies under the old Ovine Johne’s Disease (OJD) management program.

The new scheme is the fairest and most efficient way to ensure producers receive the industry funds owed to them.

And while it remains an industry scheme designed specifically to benefit sheep producers, the State government is helping to collect and distribute funds.

It’s even providing a $725,000 advance to help get things rolling.

Under the new system, abattoirs and the State’s stock and station agents will collect a fee of 20 cents per sheep and 10 cents per lamb for all transactions, with fees placed in a special fund and distributed by the Rural Assistance Authority.

Producers owed money for past mitigation works will receive repayments once the transaction fund builds up.

Many of the 450 producers have been out of pocket for nearly three years and this drought has further strained their finances.

In recognition, the State Government will provide a $725,000 repayable advance so producers can receive an initial instalment of 30 per cent of the total monies owed to them before Christmas.

Producers will be paid the remainder of the debt in the order in which their original claim was received by the RAA.

These arrangements follow ongoing negotiations with industry and the NSW Farmers’ Association to create a workable path forward.

New water milestone

In one of my first major initiatives as Minister for Natural Resources, I announced a major pipeline project to help restore natural flows and provide secure water access to landholders who rely on the Darling River Anabranch.

Earlier this month, the State government called for tenders for this $54 million pipeline and management system – an important component of the Living Murray package.

The Great Darling Anabranch extends 460km from the Darling River south of Menindee, to the Murray River.

In its natural state, it is an ephemeral stream, with an alternating wet-dry flow cycle.

But current management practices have altered the flow cycle, resulting in a stagnant river with poor water quality.

Once complete, the pipeline will save up to 47 gigalitres of water a year, providing guaranteed access to stock and domestic water supplies.

Environmental flows will also be re-allocated in an effort to restore the river’s natural cycles.

This story appears Agriculture Today.