Landholders can lodge their Annual Land and Stock Returns on the LLS website or can call 1300 795 299 for further support.
Local Land Services (LLS) Annual Land and Stock Returns need to be lodged by landholders by the end of the month.
The returns are a statutory requirement and were posted to thousands of landholders in June.
Landholders can help sculpt a picture of agricultural land use and livestock numbers across NSW by filling in the Annual Land and Stock Return, said Acting Chair of the LLS statewide board, Allison Harker.
“This combined effort assists in monitoring flocks and herds for emergency animal diseases,” Ms Harker said.
“Information about livestock, including pigs, horses and poultry helps us assist customers with support such as emergency fodder, yards or shelter when emergencies or disasters strike.
“Annual Land and Stock Returns can be submitted online and should be the number of stock or birds on the property as at June 30, much like a census captures a moment in time.”
Submitting the report online is encouraged due to COVID-19 risks.
Where there are barriers to online lodgement, customers can still mail to the PO Box listed on the return form.
Ms Harker said given recent emergency responses including the mice plague, bushfires and flooding through the state, it is important to be prepared not only for these but also disease outbreaks and other biosecurity events.
“Providing accurate information about stock numbers is essential, even if it means lodging a ‘nil-return’ after difficult decisions around destocking, not running a livestock enterprise, or any other change such as agistment numbers,” Ms Harker said.
Landholders are reminded Annual Land and Stock Return numbers do not affect rates as these are calculated on the Notion-al Carrying Capacity of each property.
More information can be found at the dedicated online portal at www.lls.nsw.gov.au or by calling 1300 795 299 for further support.