EUDR and Australian cattle: what producers are required to do, and what they are not

Position current at 30 August 2026

The European Union Deforestation Regulation is approaching, but there is an important distinction between a market-access requirement affecting particular supply chains and a new legal obligation applying directly to every Australian cattle producer.

The EUDR will apply to large and medium-sized European operators from 30 December 2026, with most smaller operators following from 30 June 2027. It covers cattle, beef and a defined list of other commodities and products placed on the European market.

Under the regulation, these products must be deforestation-free, produced in accordance with the relevant laws of their country of production and supported by traceability and geolocation information.

That makes EUDR important to Australian beef supply chains serving Europe. However, it does not mean that every Australian beef or dairy producer must obtain a private deforestation assessment.

Who carries the legal obligation?

The European Commission states that the EUDR does not impose direct obligations on producers in non-EU countries unless they are directly placing products on the European market.

The legal responsibility generally rests with the European operator placing the product on the market. That operator must collect the required information, complete the appropriate due-diligence process and submit a due-diligence statement before the product enters the EU.

Australian producers, feedlots, processors and exporters may be asked to provide information that allows the European operator to meet this obligation. This can include the origin of the product, production dates, evidence of compliance with Australian laws and the geolocation of the establishments where cattle were kept.

An Australian producer supplying this information is supporting the European operator’s due diligence. The producer is not ordinarily responsible for submitting the European due-diligence statement.

Australia has been classified as low risk

In May 2025, the European Commission classified Australia as a low-risk country under the EUDR.

This allows operators sourcing products produced entirely in Australia and other low-risk countries to use simplified due diligence, provided those products have not been mixed with products of unknown, standard-risk or high-risk origin.

The operator must still collect information demonstrating compliance. However, it does not normally have to undertake the full risk-assessment and risk-mitigation process unless information emerges suggesting that a product may not comply.

The Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry reports that 1% of importers placing regulated goods exclusively from low-risk countries will be subject to annual checks, compared with 3% for standard-risk and 9% for high-risk origins.

The low-risk classification therefore reduces the regulatory burden, but it does not remove the need for traceability or geolocation information.

What is required from cattle producers?

For cattle, the EUDR requires a geolocation for each establishment where an animal has been kept. The Australian Department of Agriculture describes this as at least one latitude and longitude coordinate, recorded to six decimal places, for each establishment.

The Australian red meat industry has developed a way to share this information through the Livestock Production Assurance program.

LPA-accredited producers can enter a single geolocation for their property and consent to that information being shared through the National Livestock Identification System. Feedlots and processors involved in European supply chains can then use an animal’s NLIS identification to retrieve available geolocations from its movement history and pass the information through the supply chain.

Integrity Systems Company makes several points about this process:

• participation in geolocation sharing is voluntary;

• producers who want their cattle to remain available to European supply chains should provide the information;

• the geolocation tool does not itself determine whether deforestation has occurred;

• processors and European importers use the information to undertake the required checks; and

• PICs, producer names and other personal information are not shared through the report.

Cattle Australia has also encouraged EUCAS-accredited producers to provide their geolocation through LPA so cattle retain access to European supply chains and any associated market premiums.

For a producer already participating in the European Union Cattle Accreditation Scheme, sharing the property geolocation is therefore the immediate practical action. A producer who chooses not to share it may find that cattle are no longer eligible for an EU program.

For producers outside EUCAS and with no connection to a European supply chain, there is no blanket EUDR requirement to obtain a property assessment. They may still choose to share their geolocation to preserve future market flexibility or because a buyer requests it.

What does EUDR mean for dairy producers?

Milk and dairy products are not included in the products covered by the EUDR. The regulation therefore does not impose an EUDR requirement on the production of Australian milk, cheese, butter or milk powder.

A dairy animal could become relevant if it enters a cattle or beef supply chain intended for the EU. In that case, the issue relates to the animal and the resulting beef product, rather than to the milk produced by the dairy enterprise.

Earlier industry communications also encouraged participation by cattle producers outside EUCAS because Australian hides and leather could enter European markets regardless of whether the beef was EU eligible.

That position is changing. On 13 July 2026, the European Commission adopted a delegated regulation removing cattle hides, skins and leather from the EUDR product list. The delegated regulation has been sent to the European Parliament and the Council of the EU for scrutiny before entering into force.

If the amendment takes effect, it removes the main basis for claiming that every Australian cattle property is exposed to EUDR through the hide market. Cattle and beef intended for European consumption will remain covered.

Some older Australian industry information still refers to the previous 2025 commencement date and to hides and leather remaining within scope. Those materials should be read alongside the more recent European Commission and Department of Agriculture updates.

Is a private farm assessment required?

Neither the EUDR nor the current Australian industry process requires every producer to purchase a private farm deforestation assessment.

The European Commission’s 2026 guidance is explicit that the EUDR does not oblige operators to use a certification or third-party verification scheme, does not require producers to sign up to one and does not require producer countries to develop such schemes.

Using third-party verification is a voluntary decision by the European operator. It may provide supporting evidence, but it does not replace the operator’s legal responsibility for due diligence or automatically create an approved pathway into the market.

The Australian Department of Agriculture also states that the EUDR does not require the use of any particular map. It identifies several third-party information sources that may help an importer, but cautions that the Australian Government cannot guarantee their relevance or acceptance by European authorities.

This does not mean an additional assessment has no value. It may be useful where:

• vegetation change has been identified by satellite mapping;

• clearing or significant vegetation management has occurred since 31 December 2020;

• a processor or importer requests further evidence;

• the producer believes an external map has incorrectly classified part of the property; or

• the value of retaining EU eligibility justifies resolving uncertainty before cattle are purchased.

In those situations, an assessment can help investigate a specific question. It should not be presented as an automatic requirement for every Australian beef or dairy producer.

What should producers do now?

EUCAS-accredited producers should log into their LPA account, check their property details and consider opting into the geolocation-sharing function. Accurate NLIS transfers will also remain important because European supply chains need to identify the establishments where cattle have been kept.

Producers who are not part of an EU supply chain should ask their buyer, feedlot or processor whether a request relates to EUDR, a company procurement policy or a separate voluntary sustainability program. These may involve different standards and should not be treated as interchangeable.

Dairy producers do not need to take action in relation to milk production under the EUDR. If a buyer requests information for cull cows or other cattle, the producer should establish whether those animals are intended for an EU beef pathway.

Where relevant vegetation change has occurred since the end of 2020, producers intending to retain EU access should keep records of approvals, maps, land-use history and the purpose of the work. Compliance with Australian law and the EUDR deforestation-free requirement are related but separate tests, so legal clearing under state legislation should not automatically be assumed to satisfy every EU market requirement.

EUDR is a significant issue for the Australian businesses servicing the European beef market. For most producers, however, the immediate requirement is much narrower than some of the broader messaging suggests: understand whether cattle are likely to enter an EU supply chain, maintain accurate NLIS records and, where appropriate, share the property geolocation through LPA. Further assessment should be considered when there is a specific risk or market request, rather than simply because the regulation exists.

References

1. European Commission. Regulation on Deforestation-free Products.

2. European Commission. Countries and partnerships: EUDR obligations and country risk classifications.

3. European Commission. Guidance Document for the Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products, 2026.

4. European Commission. Commission updates product scope and digital tools to support EUDR implementation, 13 July 2026.

5. EUR-Lex. Consolidated text of Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 and Annex I product list.

6. Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. European Union Deforestation Regulation: current Australian guidance.

7. Integrity Systems Company. LPA EUDR and geolocation-sharing resources.

8. Meat & Livestock Australia. Australian Beef Sustainability Framework welcomes Australia’s low-risk classification.

9. Cattle Australia. Industry advice on EU eligibility and the LPA geolocation tool.

This article provides general information based on the position current at 30 August 2026. Producers supplying an EU market should confirm requirements with their processor, exporter or market program.

Judging steers in a show ring

Preparing and showing steers is perhaps the most common of all livestock showing in Australia. I know for many people steer competitions are the starting point in their livestock career. In my own case, showing steers with my school was an integral part of my exposure to the broader industry.

Steer competitions allow many young people the opportunity to learn a range of responsibilities and gain skills and knowledge that can be used in their future careers and in their broader lives.

Preparing a steer requires knowledge of selection, nutrition and a commitment to ensure the steer grows according to a specific end point. For young people there is the responsibility of not only feeding and caring for the animal, its also about the preparation and training.

So what brings success in a steer ring? As a judge I have some pretty clear expectations for steers. The things I consider are important not just for the show ring. I am looking for the traits that are economically and commercially relevant. Through judging I hope that people preparing steers, learn to use that experience in their approach to commercial operations, and so produce more economically valuable animals for themselves and for the clients they hope to attract.

The traits that matter

Whenever I consider a class of steers, my first thoughts are about the class specifications. Specifications for weight and fatness are essential! The processor for various reasons sets a weight. These range from;

• ensuring that the primal cuts that the carcass will be broken down into are the correct size for further fabrication into retail cuts

• efficiency of processing within a plant

• ease of processing. For example a local butcher has smaller lighter bodies both for retail purposes and for the simple reason that there isn’t enough room in a small chiller for a larger carcass!

If a steer is too heavy or too light for class specifications, I automatically discount it as a place winner. In the commercial world this discounting happens with a lower price offer from the purchaser.

There are some important lessons to consider beyond the obvious discounting for price (or points in a competition). If your steers are too heavy then they should have been entered into a different class. Or in commercial operations sold to a heavier market. 

If you don’t direct cattle into the appropriate market then not only do you receive a lower payment, you have also lost money and time growing extra weight that isn’t being financially recognised at sale. So effectively you are costing yourself more money.

My second consideration for class specifications is for the specifications for fatness. Again there are fat depths set for a reason. These include the minimum required for MSA grading (3mm on the rib) as well as to ensure an evenly covered carcass. Over fat cattle create more issues with excessive trim. 

Again the consideration is not just the discounting that occurs for over fatness, but the cost and time spent to lay down this fatness that is then wasted.

The lesson to consider is that if you are preparing steers, for competition or for the market, know your specifications! If you are failing to meet the specs, does this mean you need to consider:

• Feeding program – are you growing at the optimum daily rate for your target? If it is too slow will you fall below the minimum? Too fast and will you overshoot?

• Fatness – Consider not just your feeding but also your animals maturity patter. Is your maturity pattern correct for your target market / class specifications? Later maturity animals lay fat down later, so will you be able to meet the requirements with your maturity pattern. Similarly are you not being too ambitious with early maturity patterns?

Once I’ve considered the suitability of the steers to their class specifications, I assess each steer for its overall muscle volume. Muscle is directly related to saleable red meat, and so the more an animal has, the more saleable red meat is available and so the value of that animal increases.

I assess muscle volume using the industry accepted muscle scores. I find it useful to think about volume in the same way it is calculated for any shape. Essentially it means to consider length, depth and width.

So I look at the length of the animal. I consider its width, through the loins and rib eye, and the width of stance and through the hindquarters. Lastly I look to see how deep is the muscle volume extending from the hindquarters down to the stifle. I like to see broader, rounder, longer steers.

My final consideration is to look at the overall fatness of the steer. It’s one thing to meet specifications. However it’s another to be evenly covered across the carcass. I look and feel over the major primals and over the carcass to see if the fat appears to be evenly distributed. Sometimes you can feel the fat coverage is uneven or hasn’t quite extended across the major areas.

As a carcass judge I’ve seen many bodies that are unevenly finished. This adds to the processors level of trim and overall reduces the value of the carcass to the processor. So its something I do try and consider and provide feedback on.

Essentially I use these three key areas to judge steers. Ultimately the steers that meet specification, display the high degree of muscle and even distribution of fatness are the ones I will select to be my place winners.

I don’t spend any time worrying about what the herd is like that produced these steers. I don’t worry about the heifers in the herd or anything outside of the ring. As a judge I can only assess what I see in front of me. Just as a buyer will only consider what is in front of them at the sale and if they will suit the processors needs. Focusing on these things does provide breeders with the information they need to fine-tune their program at home.

And for young people making their way into the industry, the lesson of knowing the market specifications, choosing cattle that suit their market and selecting for yield are lessons that will take them a long way into commercial and show ring success.

Time to update to the current LPA NVD

Earlier this week I was talking to a beef producer from the New England region about our markets.  With current prices it seems everyone wants to discuss the value and opportunities of beef production!  And lets face it, its exciting to see the demand and value flowing through for cattle.  One of the things we talked about was the point that domestically, Australia can only consume so much red meat in any one year.  The simple reality, which we both reckoned, is that sometimes, its easy to forget just how dependant we are on our overseas exports!

The Australian beef industry sends about 70% of all beef produced overseas, to over 100 countries.  For other red meat producers, such as shipmate its around 97% while lamb producers have about 54% exported.  For goat producers that figure is an extraordinary 95%!  So maintaining the confidence of those overseas consumers and purchasers of red meat is essential for all of us!

A key component in maintaining this confidence starts wit a vendor declaration.  The National Vendor Declaration (NVD) is the opportunity for you as a producer to stay some facts around your animals, and the way in which you have produced them.  It also covers the important things like veterinary treatments. feeds that may have been offered and if there are any issues associated with chemical residues.

The NVD is also required for any movements of stock between properties that have different Property Identification Codes (PIC) or through saleyards or to processors.

NVDs help provide a clearer understanding of livestock and support the traceability of animals.

Completing NVDs isn't really a new concept for most producers.  National Vendor Declarations have been around for a number of years.  The have been updated and revised as markets and consumer expectations change.  

What is changing is a requirement for all producers to now ensure that they are using the current version of the LPA NVD.  All older versions of the LPA NVD are being phased out over the next two months.  

And from the 16th of November 2015 all older versions will no longer be accepted by the industry.  Which means no processors, feedlot, saleyards or other producers will accept them!  Which is going to make marketing or moving cattle, sheep or goats pretty difficult for you if you don't get organised now!

So how can you tell if you have a current LPA NVD?  

If your LPA NVD has the number 0413, it is the current version and you will be fine to continue to use the form when moving or marketing livestock.  In the picture above, you will notice a C, which stands for Cattle.  The Sheep & Lamb NVD has an S before the 0413 code.

So what do you do if you don't have the current LPA NVD?  Well I reckon the first thing you need to do is check that you don't have it!  If you are definitely using older NVD forms, then you need to get in touch with Meat & Livestock Australia and order the current forms.

If you want hard copies, which are the books you will fill out (they come in triplicate) you can order them online.  They cost $40.  The other option is to use an E-declaration (an electronic form).  Known as E-Decs, they can be a more cost effective way of ordering forms, particularly if you prefer doing work on line.  

Which ever way you choose to go is up to you.  I reckon its a matter personal preference on this one.  However, I also reckon you don't have time to do nothing.  If you are planning on selling or moving stock after the 16th of November you need to have the LPA NVD up to date.  So don't leave it until the last minute before you sort yourself out!  

According to industry figures, around 70% of producers already using the current LPA NVD forms.  This is largely helped by processors such as JB Swift and Teys Australia only accepting current forms.  But it still leaves 30% or 3 in 10 producers who haven't updated.  And that might be due to marketing only once a year or not moving stock between PICs and you haven't had to update until now.

If that is the case, or you're a small producer or hobby farmer, and you haven't worried until now, you need to make a coupe of calls and decide if hard copies or E-Decs work best for you. As soon as you decide that, get onto MLA and order the current LPA NVD.

I reckon the sooner you can do that, the less stress you'll have and most importantly you are doing your part to protect the confidence consumers have in your product.  

Don't forget, if you have any questions or you's like to discuss your options to get in touch with me!

Getting paid for the value of your cattle

I'm often asked by producers for my ideas on ways to increase the income they receive for their cattle.  Getting a better return is something most people want from their cattle.  And along with the desire to make a better return, there is always some new idea or marketing strategy that someone wants to do because they have heard it will make them more money!

Sadly I don't think there is one simple scheme, breed or idea that will guarantee you will make more money!  In my experience the way to make money in cattle production is through a combination of work and focus.  And while most people work hard, the focus is often the area that is most lacking.

So what should you be focussing on?  The first thing is your market.  Australian beef markets are well defined.  If you are selling cattle to a feedlot or to an abattoir, both of these destinations can clearly describe what type of cattle they want to buy and they can say how much they are prepared to pay for those cattle.  

Despite these specifications being readily available, many people don't appreciate what a powerful tool they are in helping you make money.

Specifications provide you with target weights and fatness.  This helps you determine suitable growth paths on farm for your animals.  It means you can use your feed reserves and make grazing decisions that will direct your animals to a market end point.  This is the focus that many people need to have but often don't.

Sadly I often see people who put cattle into a market and those animals are overweight or over fat.  This creates a few problems.  Firstly the animals are out of specification, and so will be valued at a discounted level.  So instead of an optimum price per kilogram, it is sometime much lower than the animals deserve.  

Secondly it takes your feed resources, and therefore adds to the cost of producing those animals, to get them to the weight you sold them.  So not only are they worth less per kilogram, but you also wasted feed getting them to that point.  

I reckon a lot of people don't notice they are losing money.  The extra weight, even though it has a lower value, will mask the lower each animal has made.  So that producers often miss the fact their animals didn't receive the optimum price.

Focussing on a market specification, either for feedlots of for processing, helps set realistic work goals.  Decisions about grazing management, feeding programs and other tactical decisions become easier if you are working towards an end point. 

More importantly at a strategic level you can start examining your genetics and your herd.  Are your bulls helping you achieve the correct growth rates and level of fatness required by your target market?  Do you need to be selecting a different type of cow in the breeding herd?  

Are your pastures capable of supporting your growth program?

These are important decisions that can help you target your financial resources more effectively in the long term.  While in the short term you can focus on hitting a market specification that will return you the greatest return.

I recently worked with a client who was aiming for a specification for a feedlot.  The optimum price was for steers that were 400 - 449kg.  Over 450kg the price difference was 5c/kg lower.  Initially this didn't seem to bad, however we started to look at the feed resources we had to use.  The extra cost in this instance to get steers over 450kg, effectively worked out to be the equivalent of a 25c/kg discount!  We started to look at how we were growing those steers, and by aiming for an earlier turn off at the optimum weight we were able to save around $70/hd on the steers that normally would have been in the heavy category.  To wrap this story up in past years about 10 - 15 steers would always have been too heavy, so we saved around $1000 by making a few changes and staying more focused on the plan!

There is no doubt we had to work a little bit harder and change a few management practices.  However I reckon using resources more efficiently, and targeting a specification more closely, has helped realise better returns on farm.  

I reckon working with producers to be more focussed and efficient in their work programs has helped gain a better return for the clients I've worked with.  

Feeding Grape Marc to Stock

Grape Marc is the focus of many phone calls I've received in the last few days.  People want to know what this product is, if it can be used to feed cattle and if there is any usefulness to this as a feed.

Basically Grape Marc is the remains of wine making. It consists of the stems, seeds and pulps after the grapes have been processed for wine.

Grape Marc can be very variable in its feed value.  The moisture content of this product can vary significantly depending on its processing method.

The energy and protein content of Grape Marc is also variable.  Tests by state Departments of Agriculture highlights the variation in feed values of Grape Marc.

NSW DPI figures indicate Grape Marc has an average value of 50.7% DM; just over 13% CP and around 6MJ of metabolisable energy (ME).  

At best Grape Marc can have a dry matter of 90%; and up to 8 MJ/ ME.  

Effectively this means Grape Marc is a basic feed which can be used as a filler in a ration.  

I reckon a lot of producers need to consider how cost effective this type of feed can be to their circumstances.  If feed is low in Dry Matter, e.g. 50% then you needs to work out how much it is costing to actually get that feed home. 

For example; if a truck load of feed is 55% Dry Matter; 45% is moisture.  So for every 1000kgs on the truck, 450kgs of that load is moisture!

When you feed your stock, your are feeding a ration based on Dry Matter & MJ/ME  So in the case of that 55% DM feed it might have 7MJ/ME, it works like this: 

• if your animal needs 80MJ/ME day (based on its weight) then it needs to eat 11kg/DM a day

• based on the DM of that feed, you would need to feed out 20kgs of feed a day.

I reckon when you start looking at those quantities, and the costs associated with such a feed, you will quickly work out if it actually is the best option for you to purchase.

Grape Marc is also a feed which can pose a residue risk to your stock.  You must ask for a Commodity Vendor Declaration form and make sure you keep a record of the vendor, the stock you feed and how much you feed.

The skins and seeds contained in Grape Marc can be risk for chemical residue.  The Victorian DPI notes some studies indicate oil soluble chemicals can be ingested easily from grape seeds to accumulate in fat tissue. 

Dairy Australia has developed some suggestions for producers using Grape Marc, which is a handy reference.

As with any unusual feed, I reckon you need to way up the costs and the risks pretty carefully before you start using it.

If you can't get a Commodity Vendor Declaration for the products you want to use, then I reckon you should avoid using that feed.

If you do your homework and work out the options, then Grape Marc may be a good choice for you.  But don't rush in until you've made a few enquiries and worked out if it is the best option for you.

If you are unsure about a feed, its usefulness or its suitability for your stock, make sure you get some sound advice before spending money or taking risks with it.  I reckon the drought is tough enough without the risk of feeding the wrong products.

Reputations are earned

I've been really fortunate to travel through China over the past fortnight.  The trip was called the China express tour and was a chance to see the amazing Terracotta Warriors, the Great Wall and many other iconic parts of the country.  Agriculture is fundamental to the Chinese way of life in many places we visited.  I was fascinated to see small plots sown to maize, vegetables or to orchards.  

Amongst all the overwhelming sights, sounds and smells I caught a glimpse of a sign of a steak house themed restaurant promoting Australian beef. 

The words I saw which stood out for me were "Natural & Safe" and "Australia".

Now while some people might be more excited by seeing a breed name on the sticker, I think that isn't as important.  

It certainly doesn't seem to be as important when talking to Chinese consumers, who want to know more about the natural and safe reputation of our beef.

Australia exports beef to over 140 countries.  Our market access to these countries is always under challenge.  The price of the Australian dollar, cheaper beef producing countries or countries which are physically closer to these markets are constant threats to our market share.  

I reckon as producers, there's not much we can do to alter these threats.  What we do have the power to control is our reputation for natural and safe production methods.  This reputation underpins our market share internationally and is a reputation we have earned, not bought.

The importance of traceability, correctly completing vendor declarations, ensuring that Withholding Periods are observed are among the essential on farm actions which allow our industry to compete and maintain market share, and in many cases actually allows our market access to increase.

If you wonder why traceability is so important, or correctly completing the NVD is essential, then I reckon you should think about how good it is to see a sign in a city in another country promoting Australian beef as the "Natural & Safe" option.  

I was very proud to see that sign in China.  I was proud because I know we take production, quality assurance, animal welfare and consumer expectations seriously.  

Like any reputation which has been earned, our reputation shouldn't be taken for granted.  I'm always happy to talk with producers to find ways which can help improve your on farm systems which underpin the international reputation of our beef.