Collaboration helping drive the switch to digital

In the heart of the Riverina, the Wagga Wagga Livestock Marketing Centre (LMC) is taking proactive steps to modernise livestock movement documentation coming through its saleyards.  

With the support of livestock agent Isaac Hill from Wagga Regional Livestock (WRL), the saleyard is championing the switch to digital consignments. 

Eliminating errors in your consignment documents 

Adopting the eNVD will help streamline operations for both saleyards and agents, reducing errors and strengthening Australia’s red meat integrity.  

“Around 40% of all NVDs contain an error such as a missed question, an incorrect head count, or an incomplete treatment history,” Isaac said.   

“This can delay consignments or create compliance risks by compromising the accuracy of our traceability system.” 

Digital consignments are easy to use and amend – from anywhere 

One of the big advantages of the eNVD is that it prompts users through every step of the consignment – making sure each required field is completed and reducing the chance of omissions or errors.  

If the vendor then needs to change information such as the head count, they have seven days to amend it online without needing to chase down paperwork or reissue forms.  

Once downloaded, the mobile app can even be used offline, enabling vendors to complete or amend consignments from anywhere (as long as they sync the changes once they are back in service range).

 Busting some of the myths surrounding the eNVD.

ENVDs are more than just a transport document 

Many producers assume NVDs are nothing more than a simple transport document, but their value to industry is so much more. 

Paul Martin, manager of Wagga Wagga LMC, said an eNVD is a legally binding declaration that evidences an animal’s compliance with Australia’s livestock assurance framework. 

“The data it provides travels with the animal across the entire value chain – so when vendors are completing their eNVD, accuracy isn’t just good practice, it’s essential,” Paul said. 

By digitising consignments, vendors are ensuring that accurate, real-time information is immediately available across the supply chain, from saleyards to feedlots, to abattoirs. 

“Having the correct information at our fingertips means we can respond quickly to audits, meet export requirements, and easily demonstrate compliance with international standards,” Paul said.  

Australia exports more than 70% of its red meat and in a global market where transparency is non-negotiable, eNVDs are essential to supporting our industry in protecting and expanding its access to premium markets.

Local leadership, national impact 

The collaboration between Paul’s team at Wagga Wagga LMC and Isaac’s team at WRL is more than a local initiative – It’s a model for how industry stakeholders can work together to support producers in adopting digital tools.  

WRL recently hosted an information afternoon where around 100 clients had the opportunity to learn about the eNVD system directly from ISC representatives.  

Attendees were able to ask questions one-on-one, explore the mobile app, and take-home practical resources to support their transition from NVD books to digital consignments.  

As more producers are supported to make the switch, the benefits of adopting the eNVD will compound for the industry as a whole – resulting in fewer errors, faster processing, stronger compliance, and a more resilient supply chain.