Eurobodalla landholders are being asked to take part in an annual livestock “census”, even if they are carrying no stock at the moment.
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Local Land Services is asking all NSW landholders to complete an annual land and stock return, regardless of stocking numbers.
Their data is still an important piece of the state’s livestock picture, the service says.
The information could also be vital in managing emergencies such as fire, flood and disease outbreaks.
Local Land Services acting statewide Chair, Susan Madden, said the organisation was working closely with the state’s drought-affected farmers and conscious the return comes at a tough time for many.
“We understand many farmers are managing challenging drought conditions and have sold or agisted their stock off-property,” Ms Madden said.
“Filling in an annual land and stock return may be confronting in these conditions. However, we still ask for your support; your information is still an essential part of the state’s land use and livestock picture.
This information helps us go directly to the people whose land or stock may be most affected in an emergency.
- Susan Madden
“This information helps us go directly to the people whose land or stock may be most affected in an emergency.”
The stock numbers provided are also used to determine the animal health rate and meat industry levy components of landholders’ 2019 rates notices.
“Landholders who don’t lodge their return are automatically charged with the animal health rate and meat industry levy,” Ms Madden said.
“All landholders with rateable land or a property identification code need to lodge a return by 31 August 2018.”
Landholders can mail back their completed form or complete online at www.lls.nsw.gov.au.
Meanwhile, Local Land Services have trapped more than a half-dozen wild dogs around Coila.
One Coila farmer said a trapper from the LLS successfully caught “six wild dogs that had wiped out sheep and goats at Coila, six months ago”.
”And only last week an LLS trapper trapped a wild dog after a farmer reported an attack on sheep, also at Coila.”
The farmer said evidence showed more and more wild dogs were coming out through the bush and attacking and killing stock on private property.
He had high praise for the LLS workers who responded to calls on a Sunday and sent a tracker to promptly and professionally deal with the offending dog.
“It is reassuring to know that LLS is there to help and readily available,” the farmer said.
Wild dogs are found across NSW, with higher populations along the eastern ranges, coastal hinterland and tablelands.
