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This article was published in 1956
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INSTITUTE OF INSPECTORS OF STOCK OF N.S.W. YEAR BOOK.
"FREE" CATTLE
E. R. TUOHY, B.V.Sc., Inspector of Stock, Wagga Wagga.
There is ample reason to believe that many people attending cattle sales, and interested in purchasing store cattle thereat, do not understand the meaning of the terms "Free" and "Not Free" as applied to cattle; and as used by the auctioneer in offering them.
Stock agents may try to represent their cattle truthfully to the prospective buyer and, although not obliged to do so, declare publicly by reference to the cattle being "Free" or otherwise, the origin and restrictions concerning any particular lot for sale. Time and other factors prevent them amplifying this statement, but it is very necessary, nevertheless, that the full significance of the terms be appreciated by the would be purchaser. It is desirable that the buyer should know "what he is up for" and the following information is offered in an attempt to provide some useful enlightenment.
The term "Free Cattle" has a different meaning in different parts of the State. In the extreme northern districts of N.S.W. its application to cattle means that they, being of Queensland origin, have satisfied inspection or time limitations, and are "Free" to proceed further south in this State to the fattening areas, such as the Riverina. However, this classification as "Free" does not entitle them to enter Victoria, as the Victorian Department of Agriculture requires that they be within the State of N.S.W. for six (6) months before they are eligible to enter Victoria. In all probability such cattle would be declared "Not Free" when offered through the saleyards; having come direct by rail or road from the North, and so not being resident within N.S.W. for the required six months. The majority of the Queensland cattle at present passing through the Wagga saleyards qualify for the title "Not Free" for the above reason.
Previously the statutory time limit for Queensland cattle to enter Victoria was three (3) months and this period was extended to six months in an attempt to keep Pleuro-Pneumonia out of Victoria; the intention being to strengthen the "buffer" afforded by N.S.W. The serious outbreaks of Pleuro-Pneumonia which extended into Victoria in 1952-53 effectively demonstrated that the six months is an arbitrary period of time having little relation to the disease; and rendered dangerous the assumption that Queensland cattle could be considered safe after six months in New South Wales. The complicating factor, of course, is the "carrier" animal which, apparently healthy to outward appearances, harbours the organism and is a potential source of the disease; and when subjected to adverse strains and stresses, such as trucking or bad weather, "blows up" and initiates an enzootic. Just such a happening occurred in the last outbreaks; when Queensland cattle, believed to have been in N.S.W. for fourteen months, developed and spread the disease. It is likely that the cattle which transported Pleuro. into Victoria from Deniliquin and Hay in the current outbreaks were legitimately labelled "Free Cattle".
"Free Cattle" means then, in this part of the State, that the cattle in question, being Queenslanders, are free to enter Victoria; but not that they are necessarily free from Pleuro-Pneumonia.
Since the establishment recently of the Gundagai District as a Pleuro. Pneumonia Protected Area there has occurred a further extension of the use in the Wagga District of the term "Free Cattle"; to describe N.S.W-bred animals which are eligible to enter that District. Gundagai and portion of the Holbrook Pastures Protection Districts were added to the existing Protected Area covering the South Coast and adjacent Tablelands to form the South-East Pleuro-Pneumonia Protected Area which, with the Casino-Port Macquarie Protected Area in the north, is designed to keep Pleuro. out of the breeding and dairying areas of N.S.W. To implement this, Queensland cattle are banned from entering these areas, as such cattle are considered to be the usual source of outbreaks of Pleuro. in N.S.W. and Victoria. It can be taken for granted, then, that "Free Cattle" in this sense are, for most practical purposes, exclusively N.S.W-bred cattle. In fact, cattle ex-Queensland are "free" to Victoria if they have been in N.S.W. for a period of six (6) months, such cattle are never "free" to a N.S.W. Protected Area unless they first give two (2) negative "blood tests" for Pleuro-Pneumonia.
From this it can be seen that "what's in a name" with respect to "Free Cattle" can involve quite a lot. Buyers with any idea of getting cattle for entry to Victoria, or to a N.S.W. Protected Area, must be wary; and make full enquiries concerning the origin of the cattle if subsequent disappointment is to be avoided.