![]() ![]() Some goats will tolerate ear tags well, however for many goats, these are a temptation for nibbling. These tags are universally approved for interstate travel and any other time you need official identification (shows, fairs, exhibitions, sales, etc.). As a reminder, official ID tags may not be removed without explicit instruction from a USDA veterinarian. The owner will also receive a copy of this documentation, which is required to remain in their records until five years after the animals identified leave the flock. These tags can be obtained by calling 1-866-USDA-TAG, must be applied by a veterinarian, and documentation must be submitted to USDA whenever these tags are applied. As of 2021, USDA was providing up to 100 free plastic ID tags to new participants in the National Scrapie Eradication Program. ![]() You might know these better as the silver ear tags, however in 2019 the USDA stopped providing these metal tags and switched to plastic tags. USDA 840 tags are federally recognized official identification tags which are distributed through the NSEP. You can find a more in-depth description of this program on the USDA website ( ). This is important for the health of our animals as well as for international trade purposes, especially shipment of semen, embryos, and live animals. The National Scrapie Eradication Program (NSEP) was established in 1952 in order to provide a route to eliminating scrapie in the United States sheep and goat herds. Being able to identify and communicate about animals accurately is imperative for ensuring milk quality, food safety, and animal health. Larger herds may have difficulty identifying individual animals visually without an external tag. While small-scale farms may not find much day-to-day use for official federal ID, it is required for all interstate movement as well as almost any fair, sale, or exhibition where your animals may travel. From breeding decisions to observing appropriate drug withdrawal periods, animal identification and accurate records are the basis for monitoring milk quality as well as animal health. I chose to make this my first topic because of the importance of individual animal identification as it relates to all production, health, and regulatory monitoring on a farm. This summer I launched a podcast about improving milk quality in dairy goats called Baas & Bleats, with the second episode entitled “If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it”. When we factor in the cost of ear tags and/or collars, as well as potential injury to the animals themselves, many goat owners are left wondering whether the benefits of individual animal identification are worth the trouble. I have been amazed at how quickly a goat can make an ear tag disappear when they are motivated, not to mention the fact that we have an entire breed of goat with no ears to tag! Neck chains or collars are a common alternative to ears as identification holders however, these have been known to provide the adventurous goat ample opportunity to cause herself physical harm under the right circumstances. Its no secret among goat owners that maintaining individual identification on a goat can be significantly more challenging than their bovine counterparts. ![]() ![]() By Michelle Buckley, DVM, MS, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. ![]()
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