$2 Million eID Rebate a Boost for Clarence Valley Sheep and Goat Producers

Sheep and goat producers across the Clarence Valley are set to benefit from a new $2 million funding boost announced by the NSW Government, aimed at supporting the transition to mandatory electronic identification for livestock.

The funding forms part of the NSW Sheep and Goat eID Equipment Rebate program and is designed to help producers and livestock agents purchase essential scanning equipment. For many farming operations across the Clarence Valley, where properties can be large and livestock movements frequent, access to reliable eID technology is becoming increasingly important.

Electronic identification uses microchip-enabled ear tags that allow individual animals to be scanned and recorded instantly. This improves traceability, strengthens biosecurity, and reduces the administrative burden associated with livestock movements through saleyards, transport, and on-farm operations. For regional producers, these efficiencies can translate into real time and cost savings.

Under the latest funding round, eligible producers can receive a rebate covering 50 per cent of the cost of a handheld eID reader, capped at $1,500. The rebate is targeted at farmers and agents who were unable to access earlier rounds of support as the state continues its rollout of mandatory sheep and goat eID requirements.

Uptake of the technology is already increasing across New South Wales, with millions of electronic tags now in circulation and growing numbers of sheep and goats being scanned through saleyards. Early adoption is expected to help producers avoid last-minute pressure as compliance deadlines approach, while also providing better data for flock management and decision-making.

NSW has now committed more than $41 million to support the transition to sheep and goat electronic identification, representing the largest investment of its kind nationally. The continued funding signals a long-term shift toward modernised livestock systems while recognising the practical and financial realities faced by regional producers.

For Clarence Valley farmers, the rebate offers timely support to prepare for upcoming requirements while strengthening on-farm efficiency and biosecurity outcomes.