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November 5, 2024, marked a significant milestone in the realm of animal disease traceability, as the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service implemented updated federal regulations requiring the use of electronic identification (EID) tags for certain classes of cattle and bison crossing state lines.
The new rule, aimed at bolstering the nation’s defenses against animal disease outbreaks, is designed to enable swift and targeted responses to contain the spread of disease and mitigate its economic impacts on livestock producers. By leveraging EID tags, authorities can rapidly identify and track affected animals, thereby reducing the risk of disease transmission and facilitating more effective disease control measures.
It is essential for livestock producers to note that the classes of cattle subject to the EID tagging requirement remain unchanged. Specifically, the rule applies to all dairy cattle, sexually intact beef cattle and bison over 18 months of age, as well as exhibition and rodeo stock moving interstate. Conversely, the rule does not apply to stocker or feeder cattle, which are exempt from the EID tagging requirement.
In accordance with the new rule, any animal tagged after November 5, 2024, must be equipped with an 840 EID tag, which must be both visually and electronically readable for official use. Cattle already identified with a silver Brite metal tag or orange Bangs metal tag prior to November 5 will be grandfathered in and will not require re-tagging with an electronic tag.
Producers seeking to obtain 840 EID tags can do so through the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, which offers the tags free of charge, although producers will be responsible for covering the cost of shipping. Additional information on obtaining 840 EID tags is available through the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry.
Other options for obtaining 840 EID tags include:
A premises identification number (PIN) is required to order 840 EID tags, regardless of the source. Producers can apply for a PIN through the Animal Industry State Veterinarian page.
Notably, the 840 EID tags are specifically designed for use in animals of U.S. origin. Producers are advised not to remove or replace other country code-specific EIDs, as this may compromise the integrity of the animal’s identification record.
Additionally, 900 series tags are only considered official if they were applied before 2015 (i.e., the animal must be 9 years of age or older) or if the tags are lime green or blue in color with “IMP” and the U.S. shield printed on the tag. These tags are reserved for imported or non-U.S. origin cattle and bison that have lost their original country of origin ear tag.
For questions or more information about the Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) program, livestock producers can contact Rod Hall, State Veterinarian with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, at (405) 522-0270 or [email protected].
