Why every small producer needs good record management tools
Running livestock isn’t just about keeping animals healthy and well-fed — it’s also about keeping good records. For hobby farmers and small producers, juggling compliance requirements, paddock plans, and budgets can quickly become overwhelming without the right systems in place.
Good record management isn’t just an administrative task — it’s part of responsible animal stewardship. It helps you meet industry standards, protect your reputation, and make better management decisions every day.
What Should I Be Recording?
Whether you use a notebook, template, or digital spreadsheet, the key is consistency.
You should be able to record and track:
Animal Husbandry – vaccinations, drenching, treatments, tagging, breeding, and animal health events.
Feed & Nutrition – purchases, storage, feed types, rations, and seasonal adjustments.
Chemical Use – spray records, product labels, withholding periods, and storage safety.
Property & Paddock Movements – which mob is in which paddock, rest periods, and stocking rates.
Costings & Budgets – income, expenses, and enterprise breakdowns to see where your dollars are going.
These records help build a complete picture of your livestock and land management — an invaluable tool come audit time, or when selling stock.
Links to support your management:
https://www.integritysystems.com.au/globalassets/isc/pdf-files/lpa-recording-keeping-booklet-editable-pdf.pdf
https://www.integritysystems.com.au/globalassets/isc/pdf-files/lpa-documents/lpa-records-templates/lpa-02-livestock-treatment-record-form.pdf
https://www.integritysystems.com.au/globalassets/isc/pdf-files/lpa-documents/lpa-records-templates/lpa-03-crop-pasture-and-paddock-treatment-record-form.pdf
https://www.integritysystems.com.au/globalassets/isc/pdf-files/lpa-documents/lpa-records-templates/lpa-03-livestock-feeding-record-form.pdf
https://www.integritysystems.com.au/globalassets/isc/pdf-files/lpa-documents/lpa-records-templates/lpa-03-chemical-inventory-form.pdf
https://www.integritysystems.com.au/globalassets/isc/pdf-files/lpa-documents/lpa-records-templates/lpa-05-livestock-movements-record-moving-livestock-off-property-form.pdf
Links to for management plans:
https://www.integritysystems.com.au/globalassets/isc/pdf-files/animal-welfare-management-plan-template-editable-pdf/
https://www.integritysystems.com.au/globalassets/isc/pdf-files/lpa-documents/lpa-records-templates/lpa-06-lpa-on-farm-biosecurity-plan-template-form.pdf
Livestock production including treatments and feeding needs to be safe to be consumed.
Why It Matters
✅ Saves Time & Reduces Stress:
Simple templates or checklists keep everything in one place — no more paperwork piles or missing details when the auditor calls.
✅ Strengthens Compliance Confidence:
Having well-documented records makes it easier to demonstrate compliance with Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) and National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) requirements — giving you peace of mind and credibility in the marketplace.
✅ Supports Better Animal Welfare:
Accurate treatment and movement records mean animals are managed more effectively — preventing double-dosing, missed vaccinations, or traceability gaps that could put welfare at risk.
✅ Protects Biosecurity & Market Access:
Your records form the backbone of Australia’s traceability and disease response system. If a disease outbreak occurs, rapid tracing through NLIS and LPA data protects both your herd and the national red meat industry.
Strong traceability isn’t just about compliance — it’s about protecting our reputation as a clean, safe, and ethical producer on the global stage.
✅ Adds Real Value:
When you can show transparent, well-kept records, buyers, agents, and processors know they’re dealing with a trustworthy operation — even if you’re small-scale.
When treating stock - record the product name, expiry, batch number, withholding period (WHP), date treated, dose given
Getting Started with Templates
If you’re not ready to commit to a full management platform, start simple.
Download or create your own templates for:
📋 Animal treatment and vaccination logs
🌾 Feed and nutrition tracking sheets
🧴 Chemical use and spray diaries
🚜 Paddock grazing and movement planners
💰 Income and expenditure trackers
Keep printed copies in your shed or truck, or use cloud storage so you can access them from your phone.
The goal isn’t perfection — it’s building a habit of recording the right information, consistently.
From Templates to Traceability
As your operation grows, those simple templates will naturally evolve into structured record systems that can link with NLIS and LPA databases.
The stronger your records, the easier it becomes to:
Complete LPA audits with confidence
Track livestock movements and sales
Monitor herd performance over time
Maintain full traceability — from paddock to plate
Final Thought
Good record management is more than paperwork — it’s proactive animal welfare, risk management, and business resilience.
For small producers and hobby farmers, starting with simple templates builds the foundation for a confident, compliant, and respected operation.
Our new formulated Livestock Production Essentials Workshop Series, covers all topics small livestock producers and hobby farmers need to build and succeed in the industry. We walk you through how to build and manage practical records that meet compliance and add value to your enterprise.
Kind Regards,
Amanda Burchmann
Livestock Production & Industry Development Specialist
Founder | Advocate | Producer
Phone: 0408847536
Email: amanda@jabagrisolutions.com.au
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this article is true and correct to the best of my knowledge at the time of publication. It is intended for general guidance and informational purposes only. Readers are encouraged to verify any information and seek independent advice relevant to their individual circumstances, particularly where legal, financial, or regulatory compliance matters are concerned.