Swine Ear Notching Laws in Texas: What Every Pig Owner Needs to Know
July 17, 2026
If you raise pigs in Texas — whether for show, breeding, or commercial production — understanding swine ear notching laws is not optional. The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) and federal USDA regulations both set specific rules about when ear notching qualifies as official identification, and getting it wrong can mean your animals fail to move legally across state lines or get disqualified from a purebred registry.
This guide walks you through exactly how ear notching works under Texas law, when it satisfies official ID requirements, how the 1-3-9 system is applied, and how notching stacks up against ear tags, tattoos, and RFID. Whether you’re a first-time pig owner or a seasoned producer, these are the rules you need to follow.
What Is Swine Ear Notching and When It Is Used in Texas
Ear notching is a permanent identification method used in the swine industry that involves cutting small, precise V-shaped notches into the edges of a pig’s ears using a specialized notching tool. Each notch position represents a different number, and the combination of notch locations creates a unique identifier for each animal. The result is a permanent, physical record that travels with the pig for life.
In Texas, ear notching is used across several production contexts: purebred breeding herds, livestock shows and fairs, 4-H and FFA youth programs, and commercial operations that maintain litter records. The swine industry commonly uses ear notching for identifying a pig by litter and as an individual. Generally, pig ears are notched in a “V” shape that indicates litter and a pig’s individual number from that litter. Notching helps distinguish one pig from the next, as replacement breeding stock, and pigs for exhibitions.
Ear notching provides a permanent ID system that gives individual identity to all animals and serves as an inexpensive means of identification that enables producers to keep an accurate set of records. The procedure is typically performed at one to three days of age, when piglets are small and the process causes minimal disruption to the animal. Notching appears to cause minimal stress to the animal — the notches will bleed but will quickly scab and heal in about a week — and pigs can be immediately returned to the crate afterward.
Pro Tip: Notch piglets at one to three days old whenever possible. At that age the task is far easier on both you and the animal, and the notches heal quickly. Waiting until a pig reaches 100 pounds makes the process considerably more demanding.
When Ear Notching Qualifies as Official Identification in Texas
Not every ear-notched pig automatically carries official identification status in Texas. The TAHC is clear on this point: ear notching only counts as official ID under a specific condition. Official identification requires all swine to be permanently identified, and ear notching qualifies only if the ear notching has been recorded in the book of record of a purebred registry association (§51.14(a)(5)(B)).
This means that if you notch a pig but never register it with a recognized breed association, that notching does not satisfy Texas’s official identification requirement. The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) mirrors this position at the federal level. APHIS-approved swine identification methods include ear notching of any swine, but only if the ear notching has been recorded in a purebred registry association’s book of record.
For swine moving within or into Texas, a certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) is required within 30 days prior to entry into Texas, unless otherwise excepted. If your pigs rely on ear notching as their sole official ID, the registry paperwork must be current and accompany the animals. Breed registration papers must accompany the animals when ear notches are used as official identification.
If your pigs are not registered with a purebred association, you must use an alternative form of official identification — such as a TAHC- or USDA-approved eartag — to meet Texas movement requirements. You can learn more about how Texas regulates backyard and small-scale pig operations in our guide to backyard pig laws in Texas.
How the 1-3-9 Ear Notching System Works
The simplest method and the one recommended by most breed associations is ear notching. The most common notching system is the 1-3-9 system. This system assigns numerical values to specific positions on each ear, and you read a pig’s identity by adding up the values of the notches present.
The right ear is used for the litter mark, and all pigs in the same litter must have the same notches in this ear. The right ear is the pig’s own right. The litter mark ear is divided into five sections, and each section has a numerical value: either 1, 3, 9, 27, or 81. Each section, except for 81, can have one or two notches only.
The left ear is used for notches to show an individual pig’s number in the litter. Each pig will have different notches in the left ear. The left ear is divided into three sections, with values of 1, 3, and 9. To find a pig’s individual number, you simply add the values of all notches present in the left ear.
In zones 1, 3, 9, and 27, there can only be two notches, so if there are two notches in all four zones, that represents Litter 80. A notch in zone 81 basically doubles the system, allowing producers to identify well over 100 litters without running out of combinations. The maximum individual number is 26, allowing for easy identification of piglets within the same litter.
Pro Tip: Always face the pig when reading notches. Confusion over which ear is the “left ear” can easily occur depending on whether you view the pig from the front or the rear. A good way to remember: always look the pig in the face, and reading left-to-right will always give you litter number then pig number.
Proper technique matters as much as placement. Avoid making notches too shallow, as they may become hard to read or possibly heal shut. Leave at least 1/4 inch between notches, and avoid making notches too close to the head. For piglets under 25 pounds, small notchers typically make a notch that is 3/16 to 1/4 inch deep, which is the preferable size. Equipment must be disinfected between litters to prevent infection.
For a practical example: if a pig has notches at the 9 and 3 locations on the right ear, the litter number is 12. If the left ear has a single notch in the bottom inside (3) location, that pig is individual number 3 from litter 12. You would record this pig’s identity as 12-3.
Ear Notching for Purebred Registry Compliance in Texas
If you raise registered pigs in Texas, ear notching is not just a management tool — it is a registry requirement. Most major swine breed associations in the United States require notching as a condition of registration, and the notch record must be filed with the association before the animal can receive a registration certificate.
Registered pigs must be notched within seven days of birth. Missing this window can disqualify a pig from registration entirely, so timing is critical for breeders who intend to sell registered stock or show at sanctioned events. The Texas Pork Producers Association (TPPA) publishes an Ear Notching and Validation Handbook specifically for Texas producers navigating these requirements, available through Texas Pork Producers Association.
Certified Pedigreed Swine (CPS) is one of the major registry organizations that uses the notching system. Each ear is divided into four parts, with each area representing the numbers 1, 3, 9, or 27, and up to two notches are allowed in each area. The right ear is used for the litter mark, and all pigs in the same litter must have the same notches in the right ear. The left ear identifies the individual pig. You can review the CPS ear notching system directly at Certified Pedigreed Swine.
Once a pig is notched and registered, the association’s book of record becomes the legal foundation that allows the notch to serve as official identification under Texas and federal rules. Without that registry entry, the notch is simply a farm management mark — not an official ID. For producers involved in youth livestock programs, the Texas FFA also maintains swine validation requirements tied to ear notching; details are available at Texas FFA Swine Validation.
Texas producers who also keep goats or other livestock should be aware that identification requirements differ by species. Our article on goat ownership laws in Texas covers the separate rules that apply to small ruminants.
Ear Notching vs. Ear Tags, Tattoos, and RFID in Texas
Texas and federal rules recognize multiple forms of official swine identification. Understanding the tradeoffs between each method helps you choose the right approach — or the right combination — for your operation.
| Method | Official ID Status | Best Use Case | Key Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ear Notching | Yes — if recorded in purebred registry | Registered purebred herds, youth shows | Not valid without registry record; must be done within 7 days of birth for registration |
| Official Eartag (TAHC/USDA) | Yes — for any swine | Commercial, feeder, and slaughter swine | Tags can be lost or torn out |
| Tattoo (Registry) | Yes — if recorded in registry | Purebred breeding and exhibition swine | Requires close inspection; can fade on dark skin |
| PIN Tattoo / PIN Tag | Yes — for slaughter and feeder swine | Slaughter channels, commercial premises ID | Tied to premises, not individual animal |
| RFID (840 Tag) | Yes — APHIS-approved | Animal disease traceability, breeding cattle (primary use) | TAHC RFID program currently focused on cattle, not swine |
APHIS-approved swine identification methods include official eartags for any swine, USDA backtags for swine moving to slaughter, official swine tattoos for slaughter swine, tattoos of at least four characters for slaughter swine (except sows and boars), ear notching recorded in a purebred registry, registry tattoos on the ear or inner flank, and eartags or tattoos bearing the premises identification number for slaughter and feeder swine.
Ear tags are the most flexible option for general use. Tags hold up to all sorts of weather, are visible from front and back, easy to read, and inexpensive. One drawback is that they can be ripped out, so it is a smart idea to use ear tags in tandem with another form of marking. Pig operations frequently use ear notching alongside tags because pigs are prone to removing tags.
Tattoos offer a different kind of permanence. Because tattoos cannot be physically lost the way an ear tag can, they are the preferred identification method for breed registries and purebred livestock operations. Many breed associations require tattoo identification for registration purposes, making this method mandatory in some contexts. The main drawbacks are that tattoos require close inspection to read and the marks can fade over time, particularly on darker-skinned animals.
RFID technology is expanding in Texas livestock management, but the TAHC’s current no-cost RFID program is directed primarily at cattle. The TAHC received a limited number of no-cost RFID ear tags from the USDA to distribute to Texans for use in replacement breeding cattle. These no-cost tags are to be used in lieu of the silver metal “bright” tags and orange metal Official Calfhood Vaccination (OCV) tags. Swine producers who want RFID-based identification should work directly with a TAHC- or USDA-approved tag distributor.
Key Insight: For most registered Texas swine producers, the practical answer is to use ear notching plus a backup eartag. Notching satisfies registry requirements and counts as official ID, while the eartag provides a fail-safe if paperwork is ever questioned during transport or at a sale barn.
State-Specific Swine Identification Rules That Affect Ear Notching in Texas
Texas swine identification rules are administered jointly by the TAHC and USDA-APHIS. Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) is a cooperative program jointly funded and administered by the USDA and the TAHC. ADT is knowing where and when diseased and at-risk animals are or have been, and it is important for ensuring a rapid response when animal disease events take place.
Before moving swine — whether within Texas or across state lines — you need to confirm your identification method meets both state and federal standards. The traceability rule does not change the current requirements for the identification and movement of swine interstate. Swine moved interstate must meet identification requirements under Title 9, Part 71.19 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The TAHC’s movement summary for swine, available at Texas Animal Health Commission, outlines the full list of accepted ID methods under 4 TAC §51.14.
Disease testing requirements layer on top of identification rules. All breeding swine must test negative for pseudorabies within 30 days prior to change of ownership, unless otherwise excepted. This applies regardless of which identification method you use. If your herd holds a current disease-free status, exceptions may apply — contact the TAHC directly at 1-800-550-8242 to confirm your herd’s status before any movement.
For producers who need a Premises Identification Number (PIN) — required for certain official tags and for disease traceability compliance — there are three nationally recognized identification number options: Premises Identification Numbers (PINs), Location Identifiers (LIDs), and Scrapie Flock Identification numbers. Before an official identification device can be ordered, owners or applicators must be assigned one of these nationally unique numbers. Once a PIN, LID, or Scrapie Flock ID has been assigned, the owner provides the number to the official tag distributor.
You can request a PIN or LID by contacting the TAHC Animal Disease Traceability department at tahc.texas.gov/adt. The USDA NVAP reference guide for swine identification, available at APHIS NVAP, is also a reliable resource for confirming which ID methods are federally recognized.
Texas producers who keep multiple types of livestock or who operate in urban and suburban areas should also review the broader animal ownership rules that apply in their county or municipality. Our guides on backyard chicken laws in Texas, rooster laws in Texas, and pet import laws in Texas cover related regulations that often intersect with swine ownership on mixed-use properties.
Keeping your swine properly identified under Texas law is ultimately about more than paperwork. Official identification is fundamental to traceability and animal disease programs. Cattle, sheep, goats, swine, and other livestock are subject to official identification requirements as outlined by the USDA and TAHC regulations. When a disease event occurs, accurate identification is what allows officials to trace and contain it quickly — protecting your herd and your neighbors’ herds at the same time.