Ahead of the NSW state election on 25 March 2023, the NSW Government caretaker period has commenced. Limited updates will be made to this website during this period.
Cattle
The welfare of cattle in NSW is protected by legislation and supporting Codes and Standards.
To learn more about the exhibition and display of cattle visit Zoo, circus and other exhibited animals.
To learn more about the use of cattle in research and teaching visit Animals in research and teaching.
Standards, Guidelines and Codes of Practice
Mandatory
The following documents are prescribed under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 (POCTA). It is a requirement that people involved in the care and welfare of cattle must comply with these documents.
- Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Land Transport of Livestock) Standards 2013
- Animals in film and theatrical performances
Evidentiary
The documents listed below are prescribed under POCTA. Although they are not mandatory, they may be used as evidence of an offence in court proceedings.
- Cattle Standards & Guidelines (PDF, 1.25 MB)
- Welfare scoring nutritionally deprived beef cattle, dairy cattle and their crosses, sheep and horses (includes advice on transporting or not)
- Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals: Animals at Saleyards
- NSW Code of Practice - Animals used in rodeo events
- National guidelines for beef cattle feedlots in Australia
Other resources
Additional information about the care and welfare of cattle is listed below.
- Model Code of Practice: Livestock at slaughtering establishments
- Responsible sustainable beef production: issues facing today's beef producer
- Visual and manual assessment of fatness in cattle
- A national guide to describing and managing beef cattle in low body condition (PDF, 680 KB)
- Water requirements for sheep and cattle
- MLA Fit to load guide
