USDA Will Require Most Cattle to Have Electronic Ear Tags

The federal government will require most Kentucky cattle to bear a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag in the next few years, the Kentucky Office of the State Veterinarian has announced.Get more news about Lf Rfid Ear Tags,you can vist our website!

“By 2023, only RFID tags will be considered official identification,” State Veterinarian Robert C. Stout said. “The U.S. Department of Agriculture is requiring the RFID tags and phasing out metal tags to improve our ability to trace animal movement quickly and efficiently in the event of a livestock disease outbreak. A strong traceability system is absolutely essential to maintaining open overseas markets for Kentucky and U.S. cattle.”

“The Kentucky Department of Agriculture will work with producers and industry organizations to help with a speedy and orderly transition to RFID ear tags,” Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles said. “In the weeks and months to come, we will be speaking to industry groups and passing out informational materials to help producers make the switch. As we get updates from USDA, we will pass them along to Kentucky producers.”

“We appreciate the Kentucky Department of Agriculture for being proactive in getting the word out about this important cattle identification transition,” said Dave Maples, executive director of the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association. “The transition from metal to RFID tags will strengthen the traceability system by providing information faster and protecting our markets in the event of a disease outbreak.”
“All animals requiring official ID will be required to have an RFID tag,” Stout said.,” Dr. Stout said. “This means cattle sold at a Kentucky livestock market or moving interstate off of the farm that are the covered animals listed above must have a RFID tag.”