Consequently, centres are offering to tag cows at no cost to the farmer. This includes linking tagged cows to their existing herd improvement IDs.
Funds are also available for centres to buy equipment to automate traditional herd-test day.
In 1999, the Victorian Government distributed 1 million radio frequency, NLIS endorsed tags with the support of the dairy industry. Many such tags are now in the ears of Victorian dairy cows. Around this time the European Union put in place requirements on Australian trade. These requirements include lifetime ID and full traceback of all movements, for cattle supplied into that market. Other local and overseas markets, for beef and dairy products, are likely to introduce similar requirements in the future.