Buffalo
NT regulation update: agriculture and livestock changes
From 22 May 2025, the Agriculture Legislation Amendment Regulations 2025 came into place, amending:
- Hemp Industry Regulations 2020
- Livestock Regulations 2009
- Pastoral Land Regulations 1992
- Plant Health Regulations 2011.
Read about these changes.
Lumpy skin disease
Lumpy skin disease has recently been confirmed in countries close to Australia.
Enhanced surveillance is underway in the Northern Territory. Report anything suspicious in animals by calling 1800 675 888.
Find out more about lumpy skin disease.
There are rules you must follow for identifying and moving buffalo and related livestock into, around and out of the Northern Territory (NT).
Property identification code
You must have an NT property identification code (PIC) if you keep buffalo, regardless of the size of your property, the number you have, or if they are pets.
Read about how to get a PIC.
Identifying and branding
NLIS devices
Buffalo must be identified with an approved National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) device before they are moved off a property, regardless of where they are going.
The owner of the livestock is responsible for making sure all livestock are fitted with an NLIS device.
The PIC of origin and destination will be reported in the NLIS database. This is the responsibility of the owner at the place of destination.
For more information and to order an approved device, read more about NLIS in the NT.
Transaction tags are no longer approved for the identification of buffalo in the NT.
Branding
Buffalo do not need branding by law in the NT.
The owner can use an NT-registered brand if they choose but this is not essential.
Read more about branding and identifying livestock.
Moving buffalo
There are rules for moving buffalo around, into, out of, and through the NT.
You must be aware of and comply with the rules so that livestock are moved according to disease control and animal welfare requirements.
Read more about NT waybills, moving and exporting livestock and livestock welfare and land transport standards.
Publications
You can get NT Government publications about diseases, treatment and general management of buffalo.
They are provided as general information only and you should get specific professional advice for your particular situation.
The NT Government are not responsible for any loss, expense, damage or injury that results from using this information.
The publications listed below and other information can be accessed through the online publications search.
Diseases and treatments
- Abattoir traceback - cattle granulomas PDF (135.8 KB)
- Acaricide (chemical) resistance in cattle ticks PDF (175.2 KB)
- Obstructive urolithiasis (bladder stones) in cattle PDF (123.7 KB)
- Chemical products available for the control of buffalo fly PDF (2.4 MB)
- Cattle ticks PDF (258.5 KB)
- Cattle feeding restrictions to prevent mad cow disease PDF (286.2 KB)
- Three-day sickness or ephemeral fever PDF (151.7 KB)
Management
- Australian water buffalo manual PDF (1.3 MB)
- Breaking in water buffalo to lead PDF (46.5 KB)
- Water buffalo handling: general principles PDF (54.6 KB)
- Water buffalo handling: on-farm considerations PDF (97.0 KB)
- Water buffalo handling: transport to the abattoir PDF (73.4 KB)
- Management of orphaned or weaned buffalo calves PDF (37.9 KB)
- Weaning water buffalo calves PDF (89.8 KB)
- Water buffalo farming in southern Australia PDF (72.2 KB)
- TenderBuff guidelines for production PDF (452.3 KB)
- Management of Australian water buffalo in South East Asian cattle feedlots - English PDF (8.3 MB)
- Management of Australian water buffalo in South East Asian cattle feedlots - Vietnamese PDF (10.0 MB)
Contact
To find out more about rules for buffalo, contact a livestock biosecurity officer.
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