By Jennifer Dorsett
Field Editor
Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) recently announced the agency has a limited supply of no-cost radio frequency identification (RFID) ear tags available for accredited veterinarians and ranchers for use in replacement breeding cattle.
The tags are available thanks to a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service program.
Currently, cattle are identified with either a silver metal Brite tag bearing an identification number or an orange metal Official Calfhood Vaccination (OCV) tag indicating the animal has been vaccinated against brucellosis. The next-generation RFID tags will not only indicate vaccination status but allow ranchers and others in the cattle industry to scan and identify individual animals quickly and easily.
“The TAHC is pleased to have received these RFID tags through the USDA’s no-cost program,” said Andy Schwartz, DVM, TAHC executive director and state veterinarian. “We believe this program will help offset the costs of switching to this type of tag, while also helping our state respond to potential disease events more quickly and efficiently.”
There is a limited supply of RFID tags available to veterinarians and ranchers. Two types of tags are available to order: white “840” button tags and orange “840” OCV button tags. Both RFID tags are low- frequency tags.
Veterinarians may receive both white and orange tags, but ranchers may only order white tags.
“The big change these tags present is the ability to be read with an electronic reader. So, the RFID system will not only be easier because it’s a quick scan versus trying to read the tag manually, but the information is also brought up instantly and always available,” Tracy Tomascik, Texas Farm Bureau associate director of Commodity and Regulatory Activities, said. “These tags are for use on replacement breeding cattle. The tags already on older cows don’t need to be switched out. Ranchers who don’t ship cattle out of state don’t need these tags. However, if you do ship cattle out of state, you will need the tags because they are now required by USDA.”
Existing metal tag stock can be used until 2023.
He encouraged eligible veterinarians and ranchers to order the new RFID tags from TAHC while they’re available.
Texas accredited veterinarians and ranchers interested in ordering RFID tags at no cost may submit their request to the TAHC Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) Department.
Tags are ordered in bags of 100 and will be made available for pick up at TAHC region offices. RFID tag inventory may include more than one brand of tag. A specific brand cannot be requested.
Currently, no ultra-high frequency tags are available through this program.
To place your order, contact the TAHC ADT Department by phone at 512.719.0733 or email at animal_id@tahc.texas.gov. In the event of high call volume, please leave a voicemail and TAHC staff will return your call in the order it is received.
Once the Texas tag allotment is depleted, there is currently no federal indication additional tags will be provided. TAHC has the most current information on availability and distribution of tags on its website.
For more information about this program, a TAHC brochure is available online.
Ranchers can also purchase RFID tags by contacting any of the companies approved to manufacture official identification RFID tags.