Chemical residues and livestock

Chemicals that are applied to crops, animals, water or soil can leave common residues which break down over time.

These common residues can include:

• antibiotics and drenches
• pesticides and external parasite products
• heavy metals such as lead or cadmium
• banned organochlorines in soils
• other agricultural chemicals.

Increased risks of chemical residue

Contaminated fodder

Supplementary feeding during flood or drought can increase the risk of chemical residue exposure in livestock. Be aware of the importance of managing feed and fodder risks. 

Chemical residues in fodder, which subsequently end up in the food chain, risks market access in difficult times.

If chemicals are found in animals at abattoirs that above the Maximun Residue Limits (MRLs), carcasses will be condemned, animals may be returned from abattoirs, markets can be damaged, and quarantines will be imposed on the property of origin.

Farm chemicals and lead batteries

Livestock can ingest hazardous substances from sources like lead-acid batteries, lead-painted materials or old chemical containers often found on farms.

Lead is sweet and will be actively sought by livestock, particularly cattle. This risk increases when feed is light, as animals will go wandering for a pick, especially around sheds and dumps. Less ground cover can unearth hidden batteries, particularly near pumps, fences or old cars.

Lead will accumulate in the liver and kidneys and can remain elevated for months. This makes the animals unable to enter the food chain until the lead has reduced to a safe level, which can take a minimum of one year and potentially longer. 

In addition to batteries, other sources of lead that may be readily found on farms include:

• old lead paint, either on old buildings or paint cans
• ash from fires left after burning these products
• linoleum
• sump oil, oil filters and automotive grease
• silage contaminated by lead shot
• caulking putty
• leadlight windows
• lead pipe joins
• lead weights
• fishing sinkers.

How Local Land Services supports market access

Local Land Services staff work with the community and our partners such as the Livestock Production Assurance Program to ensure all products are residue-free.

Our work in managing chemical residues in animals and soils helps maintain NSW and Australia’s ‘clean and green’ reputation and access to markets.

Local Land Services animal health staff play an ongoing role in surveillance, certification and education to make sure chemical and other residues stay out of the food chain.

Their work includes:

• carrying out on-farm investigations to find sources of residues
• working with landholders to either eliminate the source of the residue or lessen its effects
• investigating residue detections as reported from abattoirs
• using tracing systems such as the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) to identify the source of contamination.

They also work with national programs that pick up any traces of residues at slaughter to assure markets that Australian products are residue free.

Once cleared, Local Land Services can also offer certification that livestock is free of disease and residue so you may continue to market.

Our contact details are below.

Find out more and get help

If you are concerned about a possible chemical residue contamination problem on your land, you can contact your local office to speak to a district vet or request a property enquiry certificate.

You can also visit the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority website for more information.