Swine Ear Notching Laws in South Carolina: What Every Producer Needs to Know

If you raise swine in South Carolina — whether you run a small breeding operation, show pigs at the fair, or move hogs to market — understanding ear notching rules can save you from costly compliance mistakes. Ear notching is one of the oldest forms of permanent swine identification in the United States, and it still carries legal weight under both state and federal regulations when used correctly.

South Carolina enforces specific identification requirements for swine transported on public roads, sold at livestock markets, and imported into the state. Knowing exactly when an ear notch counts as official identification, how the numbering system works, and how notching stacks up against modern alternatives like RFID tags will help you stay compliant at every stage of production.

What Is Swine Ear Notching and When It Is Used in South Carolina

Ear notching is a permanent identification method in which small V-shaped cuts are made in specific locations on a pig’s ears. Each notch position corresponds to a number, and the combination of notches across both ears creates a unique identity code for every pig. The practice dates back generations and remains widely used in purebred operations, 4-H and FFA programs, and commercial breeding herds throughout South Carolina.

In South Carolina, ear notching is most commonly applied in three situations: purebred herd management where registry compliance is required, youth livestock shows where individual pig identification is mandatory, and on-farm record-keeping for tracking litter performance. Ear notching provides a permanent ID system, individual identity for all animals, and an inexpensive means of identification that enables producers to keep an accurate set of records.

Timing matters significantly. If pigs are notched at one to three days of age, the task is much easier. If you allow pigs to become large — around 100 pounds — the task becomes considerably more demanding mentally and physically. Most South Carolina producers notch newborn piglets at the same time they dock tails and clip needle teeth, making it a routine part of farrowing management.

Pro Tip: Notch piglets within the first three days after birth. At that age, the cartilage is soft, healing is fast, and the piglet experiences minimal stress compared to notching at weaning age or later.

You should also be aware that South Carolina has a feral hog problem that directly affects how the state views unidentified swine. It is illegal to transport any live swine on public roads or waterways unless the swine have an official form of identification approved by the State Veterinarian or a document such as a receipt, bill of sale, or similar document showing the quantity of swine being transported and the name of the producer or dealer. Live swine transported without identification are presumed to have been taken from the wild and in violation of law. This presumption makes proper identification — including a valid ear notch — more than just good practice; it is a legal safeguard.

When Ear Notching Qualifies as Official Identification in South Carolina

Ear notching does not automatically qualify as official identification under South Carolina or federal law. Whether a notch counts legally depends entirely on whether it has been formally recorded with a recognized registry. Ear notching qualifies as official identification only if the ear notching has been recorded in a swine registry association’s book of record.

South Carolina’s livestock identification law reinforces this at the point of sale. Animals sold in a public livestock market or equine sales facility must bear identification including, but not limited to, ear tags, ear notches accompanied by purebred papers, back tags, mane and tail tags, tattoos, brands, or other permanent means. The phrase “accompanied by purebred papers” is the critical qualifier — an ear notch alone, without supporting registry documentation, does not satisfy the identification requirement at a South Carolina livestock market.

For swine being imported into South Carolina, the standard is equally clear. All swine must be individually identified with an eartag or other acceptable method of permanent identification. Purebred swine, if not eartagged, shall be identified by registry name and number and a description sufficient to identify the animal. This means that if you bring purebred pigs into South Carolina using ear notching as their identification, you must have the registry paperwork on hand during transport.

Important Note: An ear notch without accompanying breed registry documentation does not meet South Carolina’s official identification standard for sale or import. Always keep registration papers with the animal during transport and at the point of sale.

For swine moving directly to slaughter, the rules are somewhat more flexible. Swine may be imported into the state without a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection if they are individually identified, covered by a waybill or certificate marked for immediate slaughter, and consigned directly to an approved and state/federal inspected slaughter establishment. In that narrow scenario, a simpler form of identification may suffice, but ear notching paired with registry papers remains the cleanest option for breeding and exhibition animals. You can read more about South Carolina’s broader livestock transport rules at transporting livestock laws in South Carolina.

How the 1-3-9 Ear Notching System Works

The standard method used across the United States — and the system recognized by purebred swine registries — is the 1-3-9 system. The most common notching system is the 1-3-9 system. Once you understand its logic, reading a pig’s identity from its ears becomes straightforward.

The system divides each ear into zones, with each zone assigned a numeric value. You add the values of all notches in each ear to arrive at the pig’s full identity code. The litter number is notched in the pig’s right ear, and the individual pig number is notched in the pig’s left ear.

Here is how each ear breaks down:

• Right ear (litter number): 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.
• Left ear (individual pig number): 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 read a pig’s identity, you add up the notch values in each ear. For 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 3 location, that pig is individual number 3 from litter 12.

There are five designated zones — 1, 3, 9, 27, and 81 — in the litter ear, and three designated zones — 1, 3, and 9 — in the individual pig ear. In zones 1, 3, 9, and 27, there can only be two notches; thus if there are two notches in all four zones, that would represent litter 80. A notch in zone 81 essentially doubles the system, allowing litter numbers to extend well beyond 80.

Ear	Purpose	Zone Values Available	Max Notches per Zone
Right	Litter number	1, 3, 9, 27, 81	2 (except 81: 1 only)
Left	Individual pig number	1, 3, 9	2 per zone

Placement accuracy is everything. Avoid placing a notch midway in the outside edge of either ear, close to the dividing line between zones. Such marks can easily be mistaken for either a 1 or a 3, or a 9 or a 27. Ambiguous notches create record-keeping errors and can complicate registry verification down the line.

One orientation tip that prevents common mistakes: since 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 reliable way to remember is to always look the pig in the face — read left to right, and it will always be litter number then pig number.

For equipment, small notchers typically make a notch that is 3/16 to 1/4 inch deep, which is the preferable size for pigs under 25 pounds. For larger pigs, a notcher that makes notches 1/2 inch deep is recommended. Avoid making notches too shallow, as they may become hard to read or possibly heal shut.

Ear Notching for Purebred Registry Compliance in South Carolina

If you raise registered purebred swine in South Carolina — Duroc, Hampshire, Yorkshire, Berkshire, Chester White, Landrace, or Spotted — ear notching is likely required by your breed association as a condition of registration. The simplest method and the one recommended by most breed associations is ear notching. Certified Pedigreed Swine (CPS), one of the major U.S. purebred swine registries, uses the standard system where the right ear is used for the litter mark, all pigs in the same litter must have the same notches in the right ear, and the left ear identifies the individual pig.

The registry recording requirement is what transforms a physical notch into a legally recognized identifier. Under both South Carolina law and USDA APHIS national guidelines, ear notching qualifies as official identification only if it has been recorded in the book of record of a purebred registry association. Without that recording, the notch is simply a farm management tool with no legal standing for interstate movement, sale, or exhibition.

When you register a litter, you submit the litter notch number, the sow and boar registration numbers, the farrowing date, and the individual pig notch codes for each piglet you are registering. The registry assigns a registration number that links back to those ear notch codes. That registration certificate — kept with the pig during transport — is what makes the ear notch official in South Carolina’s eyes.

Pro Tip: Keep digital and physical copies of registration certificates for every pig you transport or sell. South Carolina’s entry permit requirement for breeding swine means inspectors may ask to verify identification at any point during movement.

Youth producers enrolled in 4-H and FFA programs in South Carolina are also subject to registry-based ear notch requirements when enrolling swine projects. 4-H members and their families need to understand the ear notching system and be able to read the ear notches of their pigs to properly enroll their 4-H swine projects. County Extension agents across South Carolina can assist first-time notchers with technique and registry enrollment procedures. You may also find it helpful to review goat ownership laws in South Carolina if you manage a mixed small-livestock operation, as similar identification principles apply.

Ear Notching vs. Ear Tags, Tattoos, and RFID in South Carolina

Ear notching is one of several officially recognized identification methods for swine in South Carolina. Choosing the right method — or the right combination — depends on whether your animals are destined for breeding, exhibition, or slaughter, and whether you are moving them within the state or importing them from another state.

The current list of approved APHIS swine identification devices and methods includes: official eartags; USDA backtags only when used on swine moving in slaughter channels; official swine tattoos on swine moving in slaughter channels; ear notching if recorded in the book of record of a purebred registry association; tattoos on the ear or inner flank if recorded in the book of record of a swine registry association; and for slaughter and feeder swine, an eartag or tattoo bearing the Premises Identification Number assigned by the State Animal Health Official to the premises where the swine originated.

Method	Breeding/Exhibition Swine	Slaughter/Feeder Swine	Registry Required?
Ear Notching	Yes (with registry papers)	No	Yes
Official Eartag (NUES/AIN)	Yes	Yes	No
RFID Tag (840 AIN)	Yes	Yes	No
Tattoo (Registry)	Yes (with registry papers)	No	Yes
USDA Backtag	No	Yes (slaughter only)	No
PIN Tag/Tattoo	Only if includes individual number	Yes	No

RFID technology is growing rapidly as a preferred method for commercial swine operations. AIN tags begin with the official country code “840” for the U.S., followed by 12 digits. AIN tags are available with radio frequency identification technology that allows them to be readable both visually and electronically. RFID tags are particularly useful for large commercial operations where scanning hundreds of animals quickly is a practical necessity.

In a significant development for South Carolina swine producers, USDA APHIS announced a new initiative to provide no-cost RFID eartags for swine beginning fall 2025, available for sow and exhibition swine producers. In July 2025, APHIS awarded a contract to Merck Animal Health to supply up to $20 million in tags to sow and exhibition swine industry segments over the next five years, to boost national swine disease traceability. South Carolina producers with a valid premises identification number can take advantage of this program through the USDA APHIS swine identification program.

For small purebred breeders and show pig producers, ear notching still offers a real cost advantage. A V-notcher tool costs far less than a set of RFID applicators and readers, and the notch itself is permanent — it cannot fall out the way a tag can. The tradeoff is that notches require registry documentation to carry legal weight, while an official eartag is self-standing identification without additional paperwork.

State-Specific Swine Identification Rules That Affect Ear Notching in South Carolina

South Carolina’s swine identification framework sits at the intersection of state livestock law, Clemson University’s State Livestock-Poultry Health Commission regulations, and federal USDA APHIS requirements. Understanding how these layers interact is essential before you move, sell, or import pigs.

In-State Movement: It is unlawful to transport live swine on public roads or waterways within South Carolina unless the swine have either an official form of identification approved by the State Veterinarian or a supporting document such as a bill of sale identifying the producer. This applies to every pig on every public road — not just those crossing state lines. An ear notch alone, without registry papers, does not satisfy this requirement.

Importing Swine into South Carolina: To obtain a South Carolina entry permit, the swine must originate from a Validated Swine Brucellosis-Free herd and Qualified Pseudorabies-Negative herd, or have tested negative within 30 days, with the record of testing recorded on the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI). The entry permit is issued by the State Veterinarian’s office at 803-788-2260. An entry permit is required for all feeding or breeding swine entering the state.

Disease Testing and CVI Requirements:

• All swine, except those designated for slaughter, imported into South Carolina must be accompanied by a CVI. All swine must be individually identified with an eartag or other acceptable method of permanent identification.
• Breeding swine must come directly from herds validated for brucellosis, and must be negative to an official test for pseudorabies within 30 days prior to entry or originate directly from a qualified pseudorabies herd.
• Swine going directly to a state/federal inspected slaughter facility may be exempt from the CVI requirement when properly identified and accompanied by a waybill.

Reportable Disease Obligations: All persons must report the diagnosed or suspected existence of certain diseases to the State Veterinarian’s office at (803) 788-2260 and/or the South Carolina USDA Assistant Veterinarian In-Charge. Reportable swine diseases in South Carolina include pseudorabies, brucellosis, hog cholera, and foot and mouth disease, among others. Proper identification — whether by ear notch or eartag — supports rapid disease tracing if an outbreak occurs, which is why the state takes identification compliance seriously.

Important Note: South Carolina’s swine identification rules are administered through the Clemson University State Livestock-Poultry Health Commission, not a standalone state agriculture department. Contact the State Veterinarian’s office directly at 803-788-2260 for the most current entry permit and identification requirements before moving swine into or within the state.

If you are managing other livestock alongside your swine operation, South Carolina has equally specific rules for those animals. Review goat ownership laws in South Carolina and backyard chicken laws in South Carolina to make sure your entire operation stays compliant. Producers who also hunt or deal with feral hogs on their property should be aware of hunting laws in South Carolina, since feral hog regulations intersect directly with swine identification law under SC Code 47-4-65. You can also review roadkill laws in South Carolina for context on how the state handles wild and stray animals on public roads — a framework that parallels the presumption applied to unidentified swine in transport.

Ear notching in South Carolina is a proven, low-cost identification tool — but its legal value is entirely conditional on registry documentation, proper technique, and compliance with state transport and import rules. Get the notch placement right, record it with your breed association, and keep those papers with the pig every time it leaves your farm.