The annual LLS survey gives the rural support network a clearer picture of the diversity of livestock in its area, which makes things such as controlling biosecurity risks easier.

“Farmers tell us what stock they are carrying and that goes into the database,” animal welfare and biosecurity acting team leader, Scott Ison, said.

"The information is important if we have a biosecurity outbreak.

“We can target our response more effectively.

“For example a disease relating to pigs, or one we’re most aware of is foot and mouth disease.

“If there was an outbreak of that we would be able to more easily look at exclusion zones.

“So the more accurate the information we are given the better.”

Murray LLS vet Dan Salmon urged all landholders to accurately submit their return so the government can plan for regional programs such as Ovine Brucellosis eradication and the investigation of a recent serious photosensitisation incident.

“We don’t expect ratepayers to make a special count of their stock, but simply subtract any sales and deaths from the most recent count,” Dr Salon said.

“For species other than pigs, only animals over six months of age need to be put on the return so there is not an issue about counting lambs and calves that have not been marked.”

The returns can be submitted online or by mail and must be with LLS by the end of August..

“It is a crucial tool to maintain the excellent disease status of NSW livestock,” Dr Salmon said.