What is the Annual Sheep and Goat Inventory?

Farmers in Wales are required to complete an Annual Sheep and Goat Inventory each year. The form must include the number of sheep and goats owned as of 1 December.

This is a legal requirement and helps ensure livestock records remain accurate and up to date across the sector.

What information must be included?

When completing the inventory, farmers need to include the County Parish Holding (CPH) number where the animals were located on 1 December.

• Include the number of sheep and goats on the holding
• Use the CPH where the animals were located on 1 December
• Include common land and temporary CPHs where relevant
• Record the same numbers in your on-farm flock record

Making sure your flock record matches your submitted inventory is an important part of staying compliant.

How to complete the inventory

Sheep and goat keepers registered with EIDCymru can complete the inventory through their online account. Keepers who are not yet registered can also complete the form through the EIDCymru online portal.

If additional support is needed, further information is available through the EIDCymru service helpline and email support.

Why accurate flock records matter

The annual inventory is much easier to complete when flock records are accurate throughout the year. Up-to-date movement, death, and flock records reduce the risk of errors and make it easier to confirm stock numbers on the relevant date.

Good records also support wider compliance requirements and help with everyday flock management.

How Herdwatch can help with flock records

Herdwatch makes it easier to keep flock records accurate and accessible, helping you stay on top of compliance tasks like the annual inventory.

Track in-flock animals

The Herdwatch In-Flock Report allows you to see all animals in your flock on a chosen date. This means you can backdate the report to 1 December and quickly confirm how many animals were in your flock for the inventory.

Make movements simpler

Register OFF movements in seconds by tapping on the animals you plan to move. Register ON movements by scanning the animal’s EID tag with a compatible EID reader in the Herdwatch app.

Send correct data promptly

Compliance is a critical part of any sheep enterprise, so it is important that movement data is recorded correctly and submitted on time. Herdwatch helps you generate movement reports that can be uploaded to EIDCymru.

Record deaths easily

Keep animal records up to date by recording deaths promptly, helping maintain accurate flock numbers and traceability.

Stay compliant with better flock records

The Annual Sheep and Goat Inventory is a routine but important part of flock record keeping in Wales. By maintaining accurate records throughout the year, farmers can complete the process more quickly and with greater confidence.

Tools like Herdwatch help reduce paperwork, improve accuracy, and make flock compliance easier to manage.