Livestock Ear Tag Requirements in Arkansas: What Every Producer Needs to Know

If you raise cattle, sheep, goats, or swine in Arkansas, ear tag compliance is not optional — and the rules changed significantly on November 5, 2024. A federal rule published by USDA APHIS now requires that official identification tags applied to covered cattle and bison be both visually and electronically readable, replacing the old system of visual-only metal tags. For Arkansas producers, that means understanding both federal mandates and state-level entry requirements enforced by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture.

Whether you move animals to a sale barn in Fayetteville, ship breeding stock across state lines, or exhibit livestock at the Arkansas State Fair, getting ear tags right protects your operation from quarantine, fines, and lost selling privileges. This guide walks you through every layer of the requirement — by species, by movement type, and by what you need to do right now.

Important Note: As of June 2026, litigation challenging the November 2024 RFID mandate remains active in federal court. The rule took effect November 5, 2024, and continues to be enforced while legal proceedings are ongoing. Verify the current status with the USDA APHIS traceability page or your Arkansas state veterinarian before movement.

Which Animals Require Official Ear Tags in Arkansas

Not every animal on your Arkansas farm needs an official ear tag, but the categories that do are clearly defined at the federal level and reinforced by Arkansas state regulations. Understanding which animals fall under the requirement is the first step to staying compliant.

At the federal level under 9 CFR Part 86, the rule specifies ear tags for all sexually intact cattle and bison 18 months of age or older, all dairy cattle, cattle and bison of any age used for rodeo or recreation events, and cattle or bison of any age used for shows or exhibition. These animals must carry official identification before crossing state lines.

For sheep and goats, Arkansas follows the federal Scrapie program’s identification mandate. All sheep and goats imported or exhibited within the state of Arkansas must be identified by official USDA tag, legible official goat registry tattoo if accompanied by a registration certificate, or other approved device that contains a premise identification issued by the state of origin in combination with a unique animal number.

Swine moving through Arkansas markets or across state lines also carry identification requirements tied to their movement purpose. Entry permits are required for certain animals, including swine, camelids, cervids, ratites, zoo/exotic animals, rodeo bulls, and non-poultry birds. Horses entering Arkansas require a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection and a negative EIA (Coggins) test within the past 12 months.

Several categories are exempt from the RFID requirement. Beef feeder cattle under 18 months are exempt unless the destination state or a disease program requires it. Animals already tagged with official visual-only tags before November 5, 2024, are grandfathered for the life of the animal, with no retagging required.

Species / Class	Official ID Required?	Tag Type	Key Trigger
Sexually intact beef cattle/bison 18+ months	Yes	840 RFID	Interstate movement
All dairy cattle	Yes	840 RFID	Any interstate movement
Rodeo/show/exhibition cattle or bison	Yes	840 RFID	Any age, any movement
Beef feeder cattle under 18 months	Generally exempt	N/A (unless state requires)	Going direct to feedlot or slaughter
Sheep and goats (most classes)	Yes	Official USDA scrapie tag	Import, exhibition, or sale
Swine	Yes (for markets/interstate)	PIN tag or 840	Market entry or state crossing

Federal RFID Ear Tag Rule: What Changed in November 2024

The November 2024 rule is the most significant shift in livestock identification requirements in a generation. Understanding exactly what changed — and what stayed the same — helps you avoid compliance gaps on your Arkansas operation.

USDA published the final rule on May 9, 2024, making the effective date November 5, 2024. The rule was issued by USDA APHIS and amends the animal disease traceability regulations established in 2013. The rule replaces the old system of visual-only metal tags with radio frequency identification (RFID) tags that can be read electronically.

A USDA rule requiring newly applied cattle and bison official ID tags to have both a visual and electronic component went into effect on November 5, 2024. The only official tags that meet these requirements are 840 RFID tags. This applies to brucellosis vaccination, tuberculosis testing, and interstate movement — not just one scenario.

The rule does not change which animals need official ID. The rule changes what counts as official ID, not when official ID is needed. The rules regarding what needs to be identified when are not changing. If your cattle did not need a tag before, they still do not need one now.

Cattle tagged with a metal tag or a plastic, non-RFID official identification tag prior to that date will be grandfathered in. You do not need to retag animals that already had an approved visual tag in their ear before November 5, 2024.

Pro Tip: If you purchased metal NUES tags before November 5, 2024, and applied them to your cattle before that date, those animals are considered officially identified for their lifetime. Keep documentation of the tagging date on file in case it is ever questioned during a movement inspection.

The rule also has ongoing legal challenges. The New Civil Liberties Alliance asked a federal court to direct USDA APHIS to vacate the rule requiring electronic identification ear tags for cattle and bison that cross state lines. APHIS issued the final rule in May 2024 mandating the use of visually and electronically readable identification ear tags for interstate movement of beef and dairy cattle and bison. As of March 2026, the case was still proceeding through the courts, but the rule remains in effect.

Official 840 RFID Ear Tag Requirements in Arkansas

The 840 RFID tag is the only form of electronic identification currently approved by USDA APHIS for cattle and bison. Understanding what makes a tag “official” helps you avoid purchasing non-compliant products that will not hold up at a sale barn or state line inspection.

Official EID tags are USDA-approved official tags that have a visible 15-digit number starting with 840 printed on them that matches the electronic chip inside the tag, are stamped with the US shield, and say “unlawful to remove.” The 840 prefix is the ISO country code for the United States, and after the 840, these tags have 12 other numbers unique to that animal.

A Premises ID is required to purchase USDA tags. This means you must register your operation’s physical location with the Arkansas Department of Agriculture before you can order official 840 tags. Your Premises Identification Number (PIN) links the tags to your farm and makes the traceability system work.

Approved devices for EIDs include 134.2 kHz LF RFID tags compliant with both the 11784 and 11785 ISO standards, or UHF RFID tags. Most producers use the low-frequency button-style tags, which are the most widely stocked by Arkansas veterinary supply distributors.

There are multiple physical formats available. All-in-one livestock tags are a combination of an EID button tag and a visual tag. These are ideal if you need the benefits of an EID tag and a visual tag but want the set to only take a spot in one ear. Matched pairs, where the EID number is printed on both tags, are another option that provides a backup if one tag is lost.

You can also pair a visual tag with a separate RFID button. Producers can apply visual tags with whatever identifying numbers they choose or that are already in the ear, and then link that number back to the official 840 number. This is common in operations that use custom management tags for their own records.

Species-Specific Ear Tag Rules in Arkansas

Each species handled in Arkansas follows a distinct identification framework. Applying cattle rules to sheep or swine rules to goats is a common compliance mistake — here is what each species actually requires.

Cattle and Bison

As of November 5, 2024, any official ear tag applied to covered cattle or bison must be an 840 RFID tag. This requirement applies to official identification placed for any reason, including interstate movement, brucellosis vaccination, and tuberculosis testing. Brucellosis vaccination tags are orange RFID buttons applied by an accredited veterinarian. USDA prefers producers apply ear tags in the left ear, leaving the right ear for official use.

Sheep and Goats

Sheep and goats in Arkansas are governed by the federal Scrapie Eradication Program, which has its own identification requirements separate from the cattle RFID rule. All sheep over 18 months of age; sexually intact sheep under 18 months of age that are sold for breeding or exhibition; sheep sold unrestricted; sheep not in slaughter channels; and sheep that have lambed or are pregnant must carry official identification.

For goats, sexually intact goats not in slaughter channels of any age that do not meet the requirements to be considered low-risk commercial goats, such as those that are registered or sold for commercial milk production, require official ID. Exemptions apply to certain low-risk commercial classes. Non-registered meat-type goats, brush goats, and castrated sheep and goats under 18 months of age are exempt from the scrapie identification requirement in Arkansas.

Swine

Swine moving to Arkansas markets or crossing state lines require a Premises Identification Number tag. The PIN tag for slaughter swine is available directly from authorized manufacturers. Breeding swine have additional testing requirements depending on their origin state. Permits are required on all swine entering the State of Arkansas, and animals not going directly to slaughter face quarantine upon arrival if they do not meet entry requirements.

Horses and Equine

Horses are not subject to the 840 RFID ear tag mandate. Horses require a CVI and negative EIA (Coggins) test within the past 12 months. Microchip implants using 840 AIN numbers are available for equine identification but are not required for interstate movement under the current federal rule.

Where to Get Official Ear Tags in Arkansas

Sourcing compliant 840 RFID tags in Arkansas is straightforward once you have your Premises ID in hand. There are several channels available to you, and some may offer tags at no cost.

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture distributes free RFID tags to producers through its Animal Disease Traceability program. Contact the state veterinarian’s office directly to check current availability, as free tag supplies can run out. Congress allocated $15 million in the March 2024 Consolidated Appropriations Act specifically for EID tags. Many state veterinarian offices distribute free 840 RFID tags to producers, but supply has been uneven.

Your accredited veterinarian is another reliable source. Your veterinarian may be an option to obtain 840 ear tags. However, they are not a stockable tag, meaning that each time you order 840 ear tags, you must provide your Premises ID so that it is specific to the ear tags you are purchasing.

You can also purchase directly from approved manufacturers or distributors. Three major manufacturers produce approved 840 tags: Allflex (Dallas, TX), Datamars (Temple, TX), and Y-Tex (Cody, WY). Online livestock supply retailers such as Valley Vet Supply and LivestockTags.com also stock approved 840 RFID tags and ship to Arkansas addresses. You will need to provide your Premises ID at checkout.

RFID 840 tags cost between $2 and $5 per tag, depending on the manufacturer, tag style, and order quantity (as of early 2026). Tag applicators are manufacturer-specific, so confirm compatibility before ordering a new brand of tag if you already own an applicator.

Pro Tip: Register for your Arkansas Premises ID through the Arkansas Department of Agriculture before ordering tags. Without a valid PIN, tag distributors cannot process your order.

How and When to Apply Ear Tags in Arkansas

Proper tag placement protects the animal and ensures the tag stays readable throughout its life. A tag that falls out or becomes unreadable creates a compliance problem at the worst possible time — during a sale or a state line inspection.

For placement, all ear tags should be placed two-thirds of the way from the outside edge of the ear, and one-third of the way from the head between the middle two cartilage ribs. This location minimizes the chance of the tag snagging on fencing or brush. USDA guidance recommends placing producer management tags in the left ear and reserving the right ear for official identification tags such as brucellosis vaccination tags.

Timing matters as much as placement. Apply official tags before any movement that requires them — not at the point of sale or at the state line. For cattle entering interstate commerce, the tag must be in place before the animal is loaded. For brucellosis vaccination, the orange RFID button is applied by the herd veterinarian at the time of vaccination, so no separate action is needed from the producer.

Once a tag is applied, federal law prohibits its removal. Tamper-proof, permanently-numbered tags are produced with the numbers permanently printed on the tag during production, as opposed to receiving a blank tag and writing an identification number on the tag. They can only be used once and should not be removed.

If an animal loses its official tag, you must retag it before it moves again. Contact your accredited veterinarian or the Arkansas Department of Agriculture to obtain a replacement tag. Document the lost tag number and the replacement tag number in your records so the chain of identification remains intact.

Ear Tag Requirements for Interstate Movement in Arkansas

Moving livestock across Arkansas state lines — whether you are shipping cattle to Oklahoma, sending breeding ewes to Missouri, or hauling show pigs to a Tennessee fair — triggers a specific set of federal and state requirements that stack on top of each other.

All classes of livestock entering the State of Arkansas must be shipped in accordance with the requirements outlined in the Code of Federal Regulations, those sections relating to interstate movement. At the federal level, the 840 RFID tag is now the standard for covered cattle and bison. At the state level, Arkansas adds its own documentation requirements.

Most animals require a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) issued within 30 days of entry. For cattle, cattle must have a CVI and individual ID. Additional testing may be required for brucellosis or tuberculosis depending on origin. Specifically, permits are also required on all cattle entering Arkansas from any state that is not a tuberculosis-free state, unless that state has a reciprocal agreement with Arkansas.

For sheep and goats crossing into Arkansas, identification requirements are strict. No sheep or goats may be imported into Arkansas that have commingled with sheep or goats that are not officially identified in compliance with the Arkansas Scrapie Regulations prior to importation. Commingling history can disqualify an otherwise compliant animal.

If you are shipping livestock out of Arkansas to another state, the receiving state’s requirements govern. States like Missouri, Oklahoma, and Tennessee each have their own entry rules. Review those before loading. For help planning a legal interstate move, the Arkansas livestock transport laws guide and the Arkansas livestock trailer requirements page cover the transportation side of the equation. If you regularly move animals to neighboring states, also check the rules for Oklahoma, Missouri, and Louisiana.

Important Note: Rodeo bulls entering Arkansas require an entry permit. Rodeo bulls are required to have an entry permit unless they are brucellosis tested within 30 days of entry. Plan ahead — permits must be requested from the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission before the animals arrive.

Recordkeeping Requirements for Ear-Tagged Animals in Arkansas

Applying the right tag is only half of the compliance equation. Maintaining accurate records of your tagged animals is what makes the traceability system function — and what protects you during a disease investigation or an inspection.

At the federal level, the 2024 rule clarified record retention requirements. The amended regulations require that eartags applied on or after the effective date be both visually and electronically readable to be recognized for use as official eartags for interstate movement of cattle and bison. The rule also clarifies certain record retention and record access requirements.

When you purchase 840 tags, the distributor logs your Premises ID against the specific tag numbers in your order. Once the Premises ID number of the tag purchaser is validated, the Premises ID will be recorded in a database with the tag numbers that are being purchased. This is how the traceability component of the federal tags becomes effective. You should keep a copy of that purchase record on your farm.

At the farm level, maintain a log that includes the following for each officially tagged animal:

• The animal’s 15-digit AIN (printed on the tag)
• The date the tag was applied
• The species, breed, sex, and approximate age
• The source of the tag (distributor name and order date)
• Movement records — where the animal went, when, and under what documentation
• Lost tag numbers and corresponding replacement tag numbers

The Animal Disease Traceability section of 9 CFR Part 86 dictates that an official ID number must be listed on all documentation for interstate movement of non-exempt classes of cattle and bison. That means every Certificate of Veterinary Inspection, brand inspection certificate, or interstate movement permit must include the official tag number of each animal covered by that document.

For sheep and goats, the Scrapie program has its own documentation layer. All sheep and goats imported into Arkansas shall be accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection and shall meet the scrapie record requirement, which must be documented in addition to the certificate of veterinary inspection. Keep those scrapie records separate and accessible — they may be requested at any point during a flock inspection.

Using an RFID reader to scan and log tag numbers electronically is not required, but it dramatically reduces transcription errors. Electronic identification tags do not require a reader to be used. However, using EID readers to scan tags, rather than manually reading, makes the process quicker, easier, and more accurate for recordkeeping. For operations moving more than a few dozen animals per year, a handheld reader pays for itself quickly in time saved and errors avoided.

For more on the broader regulatory landscape for Arkansas livestock producers, see the guides on Arkansas livestock trailer requirements and Arkansas rabies vaccine requirements. Producers who also hold hunting or fishing licenses should be aware that separate licensing rules apply — see the Arkansas hunting license requirements and Arkansas fishing license requirements for details.

Staying Compliant as Rules Evolve

The November 2024 RFID mandate represents a significant shift, but it is unlikely to be the last change Arkansas livestock producers face. Active litigation, potential congressional action, and ongoing USDA rulemaking all mean the landscape will continue to move. The practical steps below keep you ahead of changes rather than scrambling to catch up.

• Register your premises now if you have not already. A valid PIN is the foundation of every other compliance step.
• Audit your current tags. Identify which animals carry grandfathered visual tags and which still need official identification before their next movement.
• Contact the Arkansas Department of Agriculture about free RFID tag availability before purchasing from a commercial distributor.
• Work with your accredited veterinarian to ensure brucellosis vaccination tags and TB testing documentation are always current for breeding stock.
• Keep movement records for at least five years to cover the standard window for disease traceability investigations.
• Check destination state rules every time you ship across state lines — requirements in Oklahoma, Missouri, Tennessee, and other neighboring states may differ from Arkansas entry rules.

The full text of the 2024 APHIS final rule is publicly available through the Federal Register and is the authoritative source for the federal requirements. For Arkansas-specific guidance, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture Animal Entry Requirements page is updated as regulations change. The USDA APHIS Official Eartags Criteria document (updated January 2025) provides a complete summary of approved tag types by species.