Effective November 5, 2024, newly applied cattle and bison official ID tags will need to have both a visual and an electronic component. Currently, the only official tags that meet these requirements are 840 RFID tags.
Cattle and bison tagged with metal official tags, including the orange tags used for brucellosis vaccination, will be considered officially identified for their lifetime if the tags were applied before November 5, 2024.
Although this change is in federal rule, it applies to the use of all official identification applied to cattle and bison. Cattle and bison identified as required under ATCP 12.05 for intrastate movements are also affected. There has been no change to ATCP 12.05. There has been no change as to which cattle and bison require official ID. That is except for dairy/beef crosses, as clarified below.
Purpose of Rule
The purpose of the rule is to improve livestock traceability. Electronic identification (EID) tags and systems provide many advantages over traditional metal tags. These include faster information sharing, more accurate and precise identification of animals, and significantly more rapid record searches during disease outbreaks.
Along with the transition to EID, the rule makes the following updates and clarifications:
- The definition of dairy cattle is clarified to include crossbred calves of any breed that are born to dairy cattle. This means these animals will need to be identified as dairy cattle for interstate movement.
- Another update will require that all dairy cattle, including dairy steers, have individual official ID included on certificates of veterinary inspection (CVIs). A statement on the CVI that dairy steers are officially identified will no longer be sufficient.
840 Official RFID Tags & Readers
While supplies last, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has official 840 RFID tags provided by USDA. These tags may now be used in any cattle, including steers, and bison.
Tags can be ordered from the Wisconsin Vet Supply Product Catalog or by calling Paul Johann at (608) 590-8519. There is no cost for the tags; shipping costs may apply. Official 840 EID tags can also be purchased through any distributor of animal products that sells USDA-approved tags. DATCP maintains a list of USDA-approved EID tags. Your premises identification number (PIN) is required to order.
Any official 840 EID tags you acquire may only be applied to your market or dealer animals, unless you are an Animal Identification Number (AIN) Device Manager. Only AIN device managers can redistribute official 840 EID tags. Visit www.aphis.usda.gov/traceability and scroll down to “How to Become an AIN Device Manager” to learn more.
DATCP also continues to offer a small number of low-frequency RFID readers for markets and dealers, provided through a USDA cooperative agreement. E-mail gretchen.may@wisconsin.gov for more information or to request an application.
