Dear Sir,
The term "Stock in trade" is not defined under Income tax Act
So it has to be understood in its common paralance therefore I have extracted the definition of Inventories from AS-2 issued by the ICAI (I am aware that AS 2 doesnot apply to Live stock but then I referred it only for the definition)
Inventories are assets:
(a) held for sale in the ordinary course of business; (or we can say Finished Goods)
(b) in the process of production for such sale (or we can say Work In Progress); or
(c) in the form of materials or supplies to be consumed in (or we can say Raw materials)
the production process or in the rendering of services.
So from above definition it is clear that only those assets can be considered as Stock in Trade, which
a) are to be sold or
b) have been consumed or
c) will be consumed.
Now cattle/Live stock used in Dairy Farming AND NOT MEANT FOR SALE AS SUCH cannot be cosidered as "Stock in Trade" in the light of above definition and hence the treatment given u/s 36 reads as follows -
in respect of animals which have been used for the purposes of the business or profession otherwise than as stock-in-trade and have died or become permanently useless for such purposes, the difference between the actual cost to the assessee of the animals and the amount, if any, realised in respect of the carcasses or animals;