Herd Test - Advice needed........

kingstown

Maybe someone in the know could advise.......sorry for long saga....

I recently (early summer) got a heard number in my own name for the first time and got a guy to buy a few heifers for me to graze over the summer.

Thats fine and all went well, he basically looked after them for me, and when he had a load or 2 of his own going to the factory a couple of weeks ago, he rang and said now was the time to let mine off as well as the price was starting to drop a little and the cattle were ready.
I was out of the country with work, but said on the phone that i thought i had to have a herd test done before i could sell the cattle.

He said no, as i was selling to the factory but if selling in the mart i would need a test done. Not so sure, i quickly rang another guy who i thought would be in the know and he said the same thing.

Things happened quickly from here on with time zone difference and poor phone line. I said OK if thats the case, and to do the best he could.
As i was away, my man collected the Cattle and Cards from home and away they went to the factory.

When i came home we spoke in more detail and now understanding what i was saying he said I may have a problem as its my first time ''buying & selling'' in my own herd number.
He asked someone else about it and they said as it was the ''first trade'' i should have had a heard test to activate the heard number and may have a problem!
This stage, i am pretty confused and don't want to ask the Dept until i know more.

shot2go

we could not move any animals until we got a herd test because it a new number. i would think you would have needed a herd test too

bob charles

all will be fine, ring up the helpful Dept of Ag and explain your position. they probably will say to do one next time you have animals as I think you are suppose to do a herd test to activate your herd.

kingstown

Thanks Bob / shot2go

I hope so, i feel like a bit of a ''muppet'' for not having a test done.
I thought the Dept would send a request for the test, so didn't think a lot about it, even though it did cross my mind.
Should i have asked for the test?
As i am away a bit on business, i have a guy who looks out for me on these things, but as i said he never thought about the 'first' test as the cattle were 'in test'.
He was more interested in having the cattle gone to the factory before the price dropped..

I suppose i better ring someone in the dept and see what happens. Would there be a penalty??

bob charles

kingstown wrote: »

I suppose i better ring someone in the dept and see what happens. Would there be a penalty??

no there wont, you may get a letter but that will be all. If anyone rings you just explain your position and all will be okay. I would wait to be contacted, good chance you will never hear anything. I find the dept of ag staff usually very helpful and willing to do their best to be on the farmers side. of course their is always a few who rule with an iron fist but those idiots are in every walk of life

shot2go

other half had no idea he had to do herd test either until he registered online and it said he was restricted so he rang the dept and they told him why

MfMan

Any danger the herd would be restricted and any animals be only bought in under permit with the Dept. holding the cards until such a time as first (clear) test?

jack77

once you get your herd number you can buy in but not sell till tb & br test done with in 3 months, once its done you get notification you are free to trade. so the cattle have gone to the factory already and you havn't heard anything back yet? won't your herd number now be frozen again since you havn't had a test done in the 3 months?