Get a PIC first
Anyone keeping cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and some other livestock, even a few, needs a Property Identification Code (PIC) from their state or territory agriculture department.
Services in Australia
Livestock
Healthy herds, fair deals.
Photo: Walcha, New England, New South WalesHow REALM helps
Buy and sell cattle, sheep, goats and more, with registration details checked before every livestock listing goes live.
Verified livestock ID and registration details
We bridge the gap between buyer and seller with registration checks that happen before any listing goes live.
Open comments for questions on breed, health and history
Transparency is key to healthy herds. Ask questions directly and get the history you need for a fair deal.
Herd management tips in every newsletter
Stay informed with expert guidance on breed health, market trends, and sustainable management practices.
Handy tool: convert c/kg, $/lb and $/cwt
Handy tool: what is my mob worth at a c/kg price?
Handy tool: work out your marking and weaning %
Handy tool: work out calving and lambing dates
Handy tool: how much water is in my tank or dam?
Handy tool: how long will each paddock feed my mob?
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Call 0419 182 804 or email support@realmgroupglobal.org.
Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm Melbourne time (AEST/AEDT)
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Call 0419 182 804 · support@realmgroupglobal.org
This season · Spring (September to November)
Livestock: what’s on this spring
- Marking time on many farms. Count lambs and calves and work out your marking percentage while the numbers are fresh.Marking % calculator
- Warm, wet weather raises the risk of flystrike in sheep. Keep an eye on the mob and talk to your vet or adviser about prevention.
Coming up next: summer (December to February)
- Check stock water every day in the heat; stock drink far more on hot days.Tank & dam calculator
- Dry feed and grass seeds are the summer problems. Budget feed through to the autumn break.Feed budget
Up north it’s the dry season (about May to October). Timing varies a lot by district and year, so go by your own country and the local forecast. Seasons in each state
Doing it in Australia
Running stock in Australia
Australia’s traceability system lets every animal be followed from paddock to plate. Here’s what it means for you.
NLIS tags and transfers
Cattle, sheep and goats carry NLIS-approved identification, and every movement between properties is recorded on the NLIS database. Electronic ID (eID) for sheep and farmed goats is being phased in nationally, so check the key dates for your state.
LPA and the NVD
Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) accreditation is what lets you fill in a National Vendor Declaration (NVD or eNVD), the document most buyers, agents and processors ask for with every mob.
See something unusual? Call it in
Unexplained sickness or deaths in livestock: ring the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888. It is better to report and be wrong.
General information only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules differ between states and change over time, so check the official site before you act. These organisations are independent and are not REALM partners. Links checked 07/10/2026.
Good to know
Common questions about livestock
Quick answers from our FAQ. Still stuck? Ask the Chat Assistant or give us a call.
Do I need a PIC to keep a few sheep, goats or cattle?
Yes. In every state and territory, anyone keeping cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and some other livestock, even one or two on a lifestyle block, needs a Property Identification Code (PIC) from the state or territory agriculture department. Stock also need NLIS identification, and each move between properties is recorded on the NLIS database. Running stock in Australia →
Do regulated items need a licence?
Yes. Listings for land, livestock and broker services must include the relevant licence or permit information before they go live. In Australia that usually means the selling agent’s licence for land, and for cattle, sheep and goats a Property Identification Code (PIC), NLIS identification and a National Vendor Declaration (NVD) when they move. Your state or territory agriculture department and Integrity Systems have the official details. Running stock in Australia →
How do I sell something on the marketplace?
Sign in, open the REALM Marketplace and choose Sell. Pick the country, add photos and details, and pay the one-time listing fee. There is no subscription. Go to the marketplace →
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