Six steps. One trusted chain.
Every handoff confirmed.
A batch of animals can only move through the Livestock OS chain when each step has been digitally validated by the party responsible for it. There are no shortcuts. No manual bypasses. The chain is either complete — or the batch doesn't move.
Origin and Certification
The chain begins on the farm. Animals must be registered before a batch can be created. A batch cannot move until a veterinarian certifies it.
The farm entity must be registered on Livestock OS before any batch can be initiated. Individual animals are registered by ear tag or RFID number, with species, breed, and estimated age recorded. Once registered, the producer groups animals into a batch — declaring the intended destination, species count, and any known health events.
- Farm entity registration (registered business or producer)
- Individual animal ear tag or RFID numbers
- Species, breed, and count declaration
- Intended destination (feedlot or abattoir)
- Vaccination records where applicable
- Farm not registered on the system
- Animals not individually tagged
- No batch creation request submitted
- Open disease event on the farm
A registered veterinarian — private or state — must physically inspect the batch and issue a Veterinary Health Certificate (VHC) before movement is permitted. Livestock OS records the authenticated electronic approval and timestamp. The legal status and required signature method for each certificate remain subject to applicable legislation, permit conditions and acceptance by the relevant authority. Certificate validity rules are applied according to the relevant disease-control protocol, permit conditions, species, origin, destination and authorised veterinary requirements. A batch reverts to PENDING_VET if the certificate is no longer valid — a new inspection is then required before movement is re-authorised.
- Physical inspection completed on the batch
- No clinical signs of notifiable disease
- Animals in fit condition for transport
- FMD zone clearance (if in buffer or controlled area)
- Vet registration number and digital signature
- Vet not registered on the system
- Clinical signs present at inspection
- Batch in FMD controlled zone without state vet clearance
- VHC expired (48h window elapsed)
Compliance and Dispatch
Before an animal leaves the property, the system validates that all regulatory conditions are met. Transport is only authorised after compliance is confirmed.
Once the VHC is signed, the system performs an automated compliance check against the batch's origin, destination, species, and zone status. For batches originating in or passing through FMD protection zones, additional clearance from a state veterinarian is required. The compliance engine checks movement permit requirements, zone status, and destination abattoir certifications before issuing a movement clearance.
- Valid VHC per applicable disease-control protocol and permit conditions
- Destination abattoir registered and active
- FMD zone status of origin farm
- Movement permit requirements for route
- Species-specific regulations (e.g. tick-free zones)
- Expired or missing VHC
- FMD zone movement requires state vet — not yet obtained
- Destination abattoir not on registered facility list
- Tick control area restrictions in effect
A registered transporter is assigned to the batch. The driver and vehicle must both be registered on the system. A load manifest is generated — confirming the batch code, animal count, transporter details, vehicle registration, and planned route. On departure, the batch status moves to IN_TRANSIT and the destination gate is notified in advance. Certificate validity continues to apply per the relevant disease-control protocol and permit conditions.
- Registered transport operator
- Vehicle registration on system
- Load manifest signed by driver
- Destination gate pre-notified
- Departure time recorded
- Transporter not registered
- VHC window expired before departure
- Compliance clearance not confirmed
- Manifest count mismatch with batch record
Gate Control and Slaughter Confirmation
The gate is the last line of enforcement before the abattoir. Only cleared batches may proceed. Slaughter results close the chain.
When the transport arrives, the gate operator scans the batch code or enters the batch reference. The system returns the complete chain status in real time — including VHC validity, compliance clearance, transporter record, and any outstanding holds. If all conditions are met, the gate operator confirms CLEARED and the batch proceeds to the lairage. If any condition fails, the batch is placed on HOLD and the gate operator is shown the specific reason.
- Batch code matches transport manifest
- VHC valid at time of arrival
- Compliance clearance confirmed
- Transporter and vehicle match load manifest
- Animal count matches batch record
- VHC expired in transit
- Batch code not found or invalid
- Animal count discrepancy at arrival
- Transporter details mismatch
- Outstanding compliance flag
After gate clearance, the abattoir intake team records the batch as ARRIVED. Ante-mortem inspection is conducted per the Meat Safety Act requirements. On slaughter, individual carcass weights, grades, and post-mortem results are recorded against the batch record. This closes the chain. The full record — from farm registration through slaughter results — is permanently associated with every animal in the batch and remains accessible for audit, export certification, or disease tracing.
- Ante-mortem inspection result
- Individual carcass weights and grades
- Post-mortem findings (if any condemnations)
- Slaughter date and shift
- Production system reference (where available — formal integration agreements required)
- Batch not in CLEARED status at gate
- Ante-mortem findings requiring hold
- Batch record mismatch with live count
The rules that make the chain real.
A chain with optional steps is not a chain. Livestock OS enforces these principles at every handoff — they are not configurable, not bypassable, and not subject to gate operator discretion.
No document is assumed.
No bypass is permitted.
What a complete chain makes possible.
Whether you're a registered farm, a practising vet, a feedlot, or an abattoir — Livestock OS is built for the way you work. Request pilot access and we'll connect you to the chain.