As of November 2024, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has implemented updated cattle identification rules to enhance traceability for disease control and management. These new regulations require the use of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags that are both visually and electronically readable for certain cattle and bison moving across state lines.
The EID tags bear a unique 15-digit identification number and replace the metal ear tags (silver Brite or orange Brucellosis tags). They are commonly referred to as 840 tags because any RFID tags applied in the United States start with those three digits. Their primary purpose is to enable quicker and more accurate tracking of animals in the event of a disease outbreak. The RFID tags store vital information about that animal’s movement, allowing authorities to trace cattle from their origin point through various stages of production with minimal delays, making a response to a widespread animal health emergency much more efficient. This change aims to safeguard the cattle industry from the economic and health risks associated with disease outbreaks. Until November, the United States and India were the only major beef exporting countries that lacked a required EID system to help track animal movements.
The RFID tags are now mandatory for sexually intact beef cattle and bison 18 months and older crossing state lines and all dairy cattle crossing state lines. It is not required if those cattle are moving directly to slaughter when they cross state lines or if the cattle are not moving into a different state. They are also required for any age cattle or bison needing an official identification tag for rodeos, shows, exhibitions and fairs, and other recreational events.
It is important to note that if the cattle already have a silver Brite tag or orange Brucellosis tag in their ear applied before November 2024, they are grandfathered into the system for the duration of their lifetime and are not required to get an RFID tag. Instead of orange tags, RFID tags are now being applied to replacement heifers receiving vaccination for Brucellosis. Like the previous metal tags, an official RFID tag cannot be removed from an animal’s ear once applied.
The use of official identification for cattle in the U.S. has evolved significantly over the past century, driven by the need to control and manage livestock diseases. The metal ear tags were first introduced in the 1930s by the USDA as part of a nationwide effort to control bovine tuberculosis and were the first official identification system used. The Brucellosis eradication program began in the 1950’s. To indicate their vaccination status, cattle that had been vaccinated for Brucellosis were tagged with a metal orange tag. In 2013, the USDA implemented the Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) rule, which required cattle and bison moving across state lines to have an official metal ID tag (either a Brite tag or a Brucellosis tag) and an accompanying certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) listing the tag numbers.
In the past several years, the limitations of metal ear tags in terms of speed and accuracy in tracking cattle movements to respond to disease outbreaks have been evident, as it requires a close visual check of every single metal ear tag. This led to the decision to phase out the use of metal tags in favor of RFID technology, which offers significant improvements in traceability. This shift represents decade of efforts to modernize and streamline the identification of cattle, ensuring better preparedness for future animal health challenges. A fast, accurate, national traceability system will be vital in the event of a foreign animal disease outbreak, proving which herds are safe and unexposed so that there is minimal disruption to the cattle industry and the food supply chain.
Tags can be purchased from your local veterinarian or ag supply store, and producers can apply the tags themselves if they would like. Producers can then also receive a premise ID number to register their RFID tags. You are not required to buy any electronic tag readers or software unless you want to for easier record keeping and herd management. A tag reader can quickly scan each cow as they enter or exit a chute, and producers can then record what vaccinations or treatments were given to each animal. Many dairy farms have been using RFID tags for years, incorporating them into their animal management software, which records illnesses and treatments, reproduction information, and milk production data.