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Animal Health, Feeds, and Livestock ID

​​​​​​​​​USDA Animal Disease Traceability

Animal disease traceability, or knowing where diseased and at-risk animals are, where they've been, and when, is very important to ensure a rapid response when animal disease events take place. An efficient and accurate animal disease traceability system helps reduce the number of animals involved in an investigation, reduces the time needed to respond, and decreases the cost to producers and the government. Animal Disease Traceability is not a food safety tool, and it cannot prevent animal disease. It is a livestock-tracing tool necessary to efficiently respond to animal health disease events.

Identification requirements

When moving interstate, official identification may be recorded directly on the certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) or on an attached list.

  • Dairy cattle: All classes of dairy cattle require official individual identification if moving interstate, regardless of age. Dairy steers moving directly to slaughter require official identification, however the identification does not need to be recorded on the CVI.
  • Beef cattle (and bison): Sexually intact cattle greater than 18 months of age require official identification if moving interstate. If they are less than 18 months of age or moving directly to slaughter, they are exempt. Cattle of any age used for rodeo, recreational events, shows, and exhibition require identification.
  • Sheep and goats: All sexually intact sheep and goats of any age leaving the flock of origin which are not in slaughter channels and all sheep over 18 months of age in slaughter channels must have official identification prior to leaving the farm of origin for any purpose. All sheep and goats of any age used for exhibition require official identification.
  • Swine: All swine moving interstate must be officially identified. Ear notches are not accepted as official identification unless accompanied by breed registration papers.
  • Horses and other equine: All horses moving interstate must be officially identified. A description or pictures of the horse is considere​d official iden​tification for horses and other equine.

Acceptable official individual identification

  • 840 ID tags: Also referenced as animal identification number (AIN). These tags have 15 digits beginning with 840, which is the numeric code for the USA. The tags are available in various sizes, shapes, and colors. These tags frequently include radio frequenc​y identification (RFID), but are available as visual-only tags as well. Producers need a premises identification number, available from ODA, to purchase these tags. These tags may be purchased directly from commercial vendors​ (PIN number required). 
  • 840 RFID OVC tags: These tags are specific 840 ID tags as described above that are orange color and imprinted with "OCV." ODA will provide these to accredited veterinarians for use when performing official calfhood brucellosis vaccinations.
  • USDA silver "bright" tags: Part of the National Uniform Eartagging System (NUES). ODA will provide these free of charge to producers.
  • USDA orange "bangs" brucellosis vaccination tags: Part of the National Uniform Eartagging System (NUES). ODA will provide these to accredited veterinarians for use when performing official calfhood brucellosis vaccinations.
  • Scrapie tags: These tags are specific to sheep and goats as part of the scrapie control program. These tags include a flock ID number and an individual animal identification number. Limited quantities of these tags are provided for free when registering a new flock/herd, and additional tags may be purchased from most tag vendors.
  • Brands: ​A single iron hot brand will be allowed in certain circumstances when cattle are moved as a single group without ownership change, and when accepted by both the shipping and receiving states. Oregon has agreements in place for CA, ID, MT, NV, and UT. Individual identification is required, but animals may be shipped on brand assurance. Indicate on CVI that individual identification is in place.
  • Breed registry tattoos: ​Tattoos are allowed, when accompanied by breed registry papers and when accepted by both the shipping and receiving states.​

Premises identification number (PIN)

Premises identification is another component of animal disease traceability. The number links livestock and poultry locations to a national database for better management of emergencies.

Benefits to livestock and poultry owners and operators with a national PIN:

  • Allows rapid notification of livestock and poultry stakeholders during an emergency
  • Helps prepare for animal health and food safety emergencies
  • Helps track animals in an emergency
  • Reduces the impact of an emergency
  • Allows producers to purchase commercially available 840 ID tags
  • Maintains or provides greater market access​

Ordering RFID tags

Oregon livestock producers may order RFID​ tags directly from tag manufactures. The ​fifteen-digit number should begin with 840 to ensure they are official ID.

A Premises Identification Number (PIN) must be included on the order form that matches the farm/ranch's address. PINs may be obtained by completing the premises registration application and returning it to the Oregon Department of Agriculture.

​A producer does not need a Premises Identification Number if an accredited veterinarian applies RFID ear tags. ​

Resources​

Premises Registration Application

Premises Registration Application

USDA ADT Framework

USDA ADT Framework

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Con​tact​

Animal Health
635 Capitol Street NE
Salem, OR 97301
Phone: 503-986-4680


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