Growing Beef Newsletter
October 2024, Volume 15, Issue 4
Animal Disease Traceability
Grant Dewell, ISU extension beef veterinarian
On November 5, the USDA’s new rule on the use of electronic identification (EID) eartags as official identification in cattle and bison goes into effect for interstate movement of cattle. This rule is issued under USDA’s Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) program. This change to EID tags should decrease the time it takes USDA to trace back a reportable disease, and reduce the number of animals involved in a traceback. In the event of a foreign animal disease such as foot and mouth disease, this could be critical to stopping an outbreak from spreading.
It is important to note that the classification of which animals need to be tagged has not changed, just what type of official identification tags can be used. Any official ID for cattle or bison after November 5 must be visually and electronically readable.
Cattle that already have an official ID such as an orange metal clip tag from brucellosis vaccination do not have to be retagged if they were identified prior to November 5, 2024. However, they can be tagged with the new official tag if that makes it easier. Normally, USDA does not like an animal to have multiple official tags, but they are ok with adding an official EID tag. However, the original ID needs to be recorded and submitted so that USDA can trace back to the original tag if needed. Do not remove the original tag. Official IDs can be removed only with permission from the USDA.
The animals that need to be tagged for interstate movement are:
- All sexually intact cattle and bison 18 months of age or over.
- All female dairy cattle and all dairy males (includes beef-on-dairy calves) born after March 11, 2013.
- Cattle and bison of any age used for rodeo or recreational events.
- Cattle and bison of any ages used for shows or exhibitions.
There are still exemptions for cattle and bison less than 18 months of age (feeder cattle), steers and spayed heifers over 18 months of age, and animals going direct to slaughter or through and APHIS approved market and then to slaughter (with a back tag).
Official EID tags can be applied by your veterinarian or yourself, or at a livestock market or tagging facility. In order to obtain official EID tags, you must have a premise ID registered with the state. At this time the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Animal Industry Bureau has EID tags available for free for veterinarians and producers.
Here are some other things to keep in mind.
- Dairy calves, including beef on dairy steers, need an official EID (as was already required), but starting November 5, all the tag numbers must be listed on a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI or “health certificate”).
- Tattoos and registration papers of purebred cattle and brands with a brand inspection certificate can still be used IF both the shipping and receiving states agree to allow for now (don’t be surprised when a future USDA rule ends this or states stop agreeing to accept).
- Also prepare yourself that paper CVIs will be replaced by electronic CVIs in the near future.
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