The returns are a statutory requirement and were posted to thousands of landholders June.

By filling in their returns, landholders help to build a picture of agricultural land use and livestock numbers across NSW. This combined effort assists in monitoring flocks and herds for emergency animal diseases.

Information about livestock, including pigs, horses and poultry, helps Local Land Services assist customers with support such as emergency fodder, yards or shelter when emergencies or disasters strike.

Annual land and stock returns can be submitted online and should include the number of stock or birds on the property as at June 30.

Where there are barriers to online lodgement, customers can still mail to PO Box listed on the return form or phone for further assistance on 1300 795 299.

Providing accurate information about stock numbers is essential, even if it means lodging a "nil-return"' after difficult decisions around destocking during the drought or after fires, not running a livestock enterprise, or any other change such as agistment numbers.

Annual land and stock return numbers do not affect rates.

To lodge a return, follow the instructions on the return and the prompts online at lls.nsw.gov.au or call 1300 795 299 for further support.