Memo: Changing of 840 tags as of 2/10/2025
As you may be aware, the US Department of Agriculture recently finalized a rule entitled, “Use of Electronic Identification Ear tags as Official Identification in Cattle and Bison.” This requires tags to be both electronic and visually readable in order to be recognized as “official identification” under the Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) program. The rule will eliminate the use of metal brite tags, commonly referred to as NUES tags, and ear tags that are not electronically readable. The rule took effect November 5, 2024.
Per NYS Department of Agriculture and Market all cattle (including dairy, beef, heifers, and steers) that already have a NUES tag or another grandfathered form of official ID in their ear by November 5, 2024, will be considered officially tagged for life. These cattle will not require an RFID-capable 840 tag applied. You can choose to add an 840 RFID tag to them, but it is not required. Grandfathered tags (i.e. – 12-digit F.A.I.R. tags, truncated AIN tags, tags starting with 982- or 985-) applied before March 11, 2015, will also continue to be considered official ID for the animals that have them. The aforementioned tags applied after March 11, 2015, and any NUES tags applied after November 5, 2024, will not be considered official identification.
With the implementation of the above rule, as of February 1, 2025, Empire Livestock, LLC will be charging $4 per 840 tag applied at our markets to cover our expenses, therefore we are recommending that each consignor that has livestock that requires an 840 tag, purchase the tags themselves and place them on the cattle prior to being brought to our markets for auction. This will reduce the service charges / fees of utilizing Empire Livestock, LLC. professional auction market services.