Livestock Ear Tag Requirements in Missouri: What Producers Need to Know

Missouri ranks among the top cattle-producing states in the nation, and keeping that industry healthy depends on a functioning animal disease traceability system. If you raise cattle, bison, swine, sheep, goats, horses, or captive cervids in Missouri, official ear tag requirements apply to you — and those requirements changed significantly when a new federal rule took effect in November 2024.

This guide covers every major piece of Missouri’s livestock ear tag framework: which animals need official identification, what the 840 RFID rule actually requires, how species-specific rules differ, where to obtain tags, how and when to apply them, what documentation must travel with your animals, and how long you must keep records. Whether you run a commercial cow-calf operation in the Ozarks or move a small show herd across state lines, the rules below apply to you.

Which Animals Require Official Ear Tags in Missouri

The federal Traceability for Livestock Moved Interstate rule, effective March 2013, established minimum national official identification and documentation requirements for livestock moving interstate. The species covered include cattle and bison, sheep and goats, swine, horses and other equines, captive cervids (such as deer and elk), and poultry.

When these animals move interstate, unless otherwise exempt, they must be officially identified and accompanied by an interstate certificate of veterinary inspection (ICVI), or other movement document agreed upon by both the sending and receiving states. Missouri enforces these federal minimums and adds its own import requirements on top of them.

The table below summarizes which animal categories trigger an official ID requirement under the federal ADT framework that Missouri follows:

Species	Animals Requiring Official ID	Key Trigger
Cattle & Bison	Sexually intact, 18+ months; all dairy cattle; rodeo/exhibition/show animals of any age	Interstate movement
Swine	All swine except slaughter swine with backtag	Interstate movement or commingling
Sheep & Goats	All animals moving interstate or residing on premises where interstate commerce occurs	Interstate movement or scrapie program
Horses & Equines	All equines moving interstate	Interstate movement
Captive Cervids	All captive deer, elk, and related species moving interstate	Interstate movement
Poultry	Flocks moving interstate	Interstate movement

The USDA’s Final 2024 Animal Disease Traceability rule only changes the type of tag that can be used — it does not change the class of animals that are required to be tagged. So if your animals were already subject to official ID requirements before November 2024, they still are.

Pro Tip: Animals going directly to a USDA-approved slaughter facility within three days of arrival may use a USDA-approved backtag in lieu of an official ear tag. This is the primary exemption Missouri producers use for cull animals.

Federal RFID Ear Tag Rule: What Changed in November 2024

On May 9, 2024, USDA-APHIS published into the Federal Register the Final Animal Disease Traceability Rule “Use of Electronic Identification Ear Tags as Official Identification in Cattle and Bison,” making visually and electronically readable tags the only form of official identification for sexually intact cattle and bison 18 months of age and older, all rodeo and exhibition cattle, and dairy cattle moving interstate. This new rule became effective November 5, 2024.

USDA amended the animal disease traceability regulations to require that ear tags applied on or after 180 days after publication in the Federal Register be both visually and electronically readable in order to be recognized for use as official ear tags for interstate movement of cattle and bison covered under the regulations. In plain terms: any new official tag applied to covered cattle or bison after November 5, 2024, must be an RFID-capable 840 tag.

Cattle tagged with a metal tag or a plastic, non-RFID official identification tag prior to that date will be grandfathered in. Cattle tagged with visual-only official tags prior to November 5, 2024, do not need to be retagged unless they lose their ID. This grandfathering provision protects producers who had already invested in tagging their herd under the old system.

The rule also generated legal controversy. The New Civil Liberties Alliance asked a federal court to direct USDA and APHIS to vacate the rule requiring EID ear tags for cattle and bison that cross state lines. APHIS issued the final rule in May 2024 mandating visually and electronically readable identification ear tags for interstate movement of beef and dairy cattle and bison, phasing out visual-only metal tags. As of the publication date of this article, the rule remains in effect — the court denied USDA’s motion to dismiss the suit’s claims and allowed the case to proceed, but no injunction has halted enforcement.

Important Note: The legal challenge to the EID rule was still active as of March 2026. The rule remains in force unless and until a court orders otherwise. Consult the Missouri Department of Agriculture or your accredited veterinarian for the most current enforcement status before moving animals interstate.

Official 840 RFID Ear Tag Requirements in Missouri

USDA tags have a unique 15-digit number starting with “840,” display the USDA shield emblem, and carry an “Unlawful to Remove” print. The number “840” is the country code for the United States. After the 840, these tags carry 12 other numbers unique to that animal.

The only official tags that meet the current requirements are 840 RFID tags. This requirement applies to official identification placed for any reason, including interstate movement, brucellosis vaccination, and tuberculosis testing.

There are two main formats for 840 tags, and understanding the difference matters when you order:

• All-in-one RFID tags — A single tag that combines the printed 840 number with an embedded RFID transponder. Both the visual number and the electronic chip are on one piece.
• Two-piece matched pair sets — A visual tag paired with a separate RFID button tag. Matched pair livestock tags include a visual tag and an electronic ID tag, and what makes them “matched” is that the EID number is printed on both tags.

The only EID technology currently approved by APHIS is an 840 tag. 900-series tags do not fulfill official ID requirements under the 2024 rule. Since March 11, 2015, all official ear tags applied to animals must bear an official ear tag shield.

For placement, USDA prefers producers apply ear tags in the left ear, leaving the right ear for official use. 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.

Species-Specific Ear Tag Rules in Missouri

Each livestock species has its own approved identification methods. The 840 RFID mandate applies specifically to cattle and bison — other species follow separate program regulations that Missouri enforces alongside the federal baseline.

Cattle and Bison: 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 must be both visually and electronically readable in order to be recognized for use as official identification for interstate movement. Beef feeder cattle under 18 months moving directly to a feedlot are generally exempt from the EID requirement, though destination state rules may differ.

Swine: Existing regulations require that, with certain exceptions, swine must be identified at whichever of the following comes first: the point of first commingling in interstate commerce with swine from any other source, upon unloading in interstate commerce at any livestock market, or upon transfer of ownership in interstate commerce. All swine entering Missouri require individual, official identification prior to being moved interstate. They must always have individual, official identification listed on their Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI).

Approved identification methods for swine in Missouri include ear notching (if registered with a purebred association), ear or inner flank tattoos (if registered with a purebred association), microchips for pet pigs, PIN tags for slaughter swine, and 840 RFID tags. All swine (except slaughter swine) presented to a licensed Missouri livestock market/sale must be individually identified by official ear tag as defined by Title 9, Code of Federal Regulations Part 71, tattooed, back-tagged, or identified by any other means of permanent identification approved by the state veterinarian.

Sheep and Goats: On March 25, 2019, APHIS updated its scrapie regulations and program standards, which included updating identification requirements for goats and certain recordkeeping requirements for sheep and goats. These rules apply to sheep or goats that are moving or have moved in interstate commerce, that have resided on premises where interstate commerce is conducted, or that are owned by people who engage in interstate commerce. This includes animals moved through markets or other sites where interstate commerce occurs, even if the particular animal has not left the state.

Horses and Equines: Horses and other equines moving interstate can be officially identified using a digital photograph or written description of the animal. This is a notable difference from cattle — equines do not require ear tags as their primary form of official ID, though 840 microchip implants are also approved for equines.

Captive Cervids: Captive cervids that are required to be officially identified for interstate movement must be identified by a device or method authorized by part 77 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Missouri producers raising farmed deer or elk should contact the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s Animal Health Division directly for the current approved device list.

Pro Tip: Do not use cattle RFID tags on sheep or goats. Each species has its own approved RFID tag format and frequency. Using the wrong tag type will not satisfy official identification requirements and can cause scanning errors at markets and border checkpoints.

Where to Get Official Ear Tags in Missouri

You have two main channels for obtaining official 840 RFID ear tags in Missouri, and your path depends on whether you are a producer or an accredited veterinarian.

For Producers: Producers interested in purchasing their own tags should visit the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s Animal Identification Program online or call (573) 751-3377 to obtain a Premises Identification Number (PIN). After obtaining a unique PIN, producers may choose from among USDA official tags and approved methods, including microchips.

A Premises ID is required to purchase USDA tags. By registering your farm or ranch with the USDA/state animal health department, you’ll receive a premises ID and will be able to purchase the USDA tags. Your Premises Registration is an “Official” USDA unique seven-character identifier for your operation.

For Accredited Veterinarians: If you are an accredited vet seeking RFID tags, call the Missouri Department of Agriculture lab at (573) 751-3460. Producers can get tags through their veterinarian or directly from the manufacturer if they have a federal premises ID. Producers cannot get tags from the Missouri lab directly.

Approved Manufacturers: Three major manufacturers produce approved 840 tags: Allflex (Dallas, TX), Datamars (Temple, TX), and Y-Tex (Cody, WY). Tags are available through these manufacturers directly, as well as through farm supply retailers and veterinary distributors like Valley Vet Supply and LivestockTags.com.

Cost and Free Tag Programs: RFID 840 tags cost between $2 and $5 per tag, depending on the manufacturer, tag style, and order quantity. 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. Contact the Missouri Department of Agriculture Animal Health Division to check current free tag availability.

How and When to Apply Ear Tags in Missouri

Timing and technique both matter when applying official ear tags. Applying a tag incorrectly — or at the wrong point in the movement process — can create compliance problems that delay sales and shipments.

When to Tag: The general rule is that animals must be officially identified before they commingle with animals from different premises or before interstate movement. Missouri requires producers to obtain official identification tags only from the Missouri Department of Agriculture Animal Health Division, officially identify animals required to be identified before commingling with animals from different premises, or use a backtag or other method to accurately maintain the animal’s identity until the official ear tag is applied so the official identification can be correlated to the person responsible for shipping the animal.

Approved Tagging Sites: If your animals arrive at a market without required ID, you are not automatically barred from selling them. An approved tagging site is a premises authorized by APHIS, State, or Tribal animal health officials where livestock may be officially identified on behalf of their owner or the person in possession, care, or control of the animals when they are brought to the premises. These sites are allowed to accept livestock that require, but do not have the required official identification to move interstate.

Cattle may be moved across state lines directly to an approved tagging site. Livestock auctions are often registered as approved tagging sites. This is a practical safety valve for Missouri producers who bring untagged animals to a sale barn — the market can apply official ID before the animals enter interstate commerce.

Tag Placement Technique: Use the applicator specific to your tag manufacturer — tag applicators are specific to each manufacturer. Place the tag in the left ear when possible, two-thirds of the way from the outside edge and one-third of the way from the head, between the middle two cartilage ribs. Avoid veins and the outer ear edge. A clean, properly seated tag stays in longer and scans more reliably at markets and checkpoints.

Lost or Missing Tags: Missouri prohibits removing official identification devices unless authorized — and animals that lose their official tag must be retagged with a new 840 RFID tag before they can move interstate. Keep a record linking the new tag number to the original AIN so traceability is maintained. You can also use a matched pair set where the EID number appears on both tags, reducing the impact of losing one piece.

Pro Tip: Tag calves before weaning or before their first movement off your premises. Tagging at the source is easier, less stressful for the animal, and protects you if the calf is sold through a market that requires official ID at entry.

Ear Tag Requirements for Interstate Movement in Missouri

Interstate movement triggers the most stringent ear tag requirements Missouri producers face. All animals entering Missouri must be accompanied by an official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI, health certificate) issued within 30 days prior to movement into Missouri, unless moving to an approved slaughter facility or to an approved livestock market.

The official ID number on the animal’s ear tag must match the number recorded on the CVI. All health certificates must have the physical address of livestock being moved (no post office boxes) for both the consignor and consignee. Missouri does not accept P.O. box addresses on CVIs — this is a common reason documents get rejected at the border.

Missouri only accepts the following electronic CVI formats: eCVI, GVL, VET-CVI, Vet Sentry, and VSPS. Missouri accepts most paper forms supplied by a state’s animal health officials, as long as they are provided with unique certificate numbers. APHIS form 7001 is not an acceptable document for interstate certificates of veterinary inspection for Missouri imports.

Missouri also has active animal movement restrictions that can change based on disease conditions. As of June 4, 2026, any domestic animal originating from a state with a New World Screwworm infested zone, but not within an infested zone, can enter Missouri with a CVI that includes a statement that all animals were inspected and found free of evidence of NWS infestation and have not originated from or transited through an NWS infested zone. Check the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s livestock movement requirements page before each interstate shipment for the most current restrictions.

Several exemptions exist for interstate movement without a CVI or official ear tag:

• Animals moving directly to a USDA-recognized slaughter establishment with a USDA-approved backtag
• Cattle and bison moving interstate between two premises under a commuter herd agreement, without a change of ownership in the course of normal livestock operations, subject to the conditions of the agreement
• Animals moving directly to an approved tagging site to be officially identified before commingling

For more on what your trailer needs to comply with during livestock transport, see this guide to livestock trailer requirements in Missouri and the broader overview of transporting livestock laws in Missouri.

Recordkeeping Requirements for Ear-Tagged Animals in Missouri

Tagging your animals is only part of the compliance picture. Federal regulations under 9 CFR Part 86 require specific records to be created and retained by producers, veterinarians, and livestock facilities alike.

For Producers and Tag Recipients: The 2024 final rule requires any entity who distributes official ID — including a state, tribe, or accredited veterinarian — to maintain a record for five years of the names and addresses of anyone to whom the devices were distributed. If you receive a batch of free 840 tags from the Missouri Department of Agriculture or your veterinarian, the distributor is required to log your information against those tag numbers in a state or federal database.

For Accredited Veterinarians: Records of official identification devices applied by a federally accredited veterinarian to a client animal must be kept in a readily accessible record system. This means your vet keeps a log of every tag they apply, tied to your premises ID and the animal’s AIN.

For Approved Livestock Facilities: Approved livestock facilities must keep any ICVIs or alternate documentation required for the interstate movement of covered livestock that enter the facility on or after March 11, 2013. For poultry and swine, such documents must be kept for at least 2 years, and for cattle and bison, sheep and goats, cervids, and equines, 5 years.

The table below summarizes retention periods by species:

Species	ICVI / Movement Document Retention	Tag Distribution Record Retention
Cattle, Bison, Sheep, Goats, Cervids, Equines	5 years	5 years
Swine, Poultry	2 years	5 years

The record of application of official identification, correlated to the consignor of the animals, must be submitted to the State Veterinarian of Missouri by the Approved Tagging Site. If you use a sale barn as a tagging site, the market is responsible for submitting that tagging record to the Missouri State Veterinarian — but you should request a copy for your own files.

Electronic identification tags and systems provide advantages over traditional metal tags, including faster information sharing, more accurate and precise identification of animals, and significantly faster record searches during disease outbreaks. Many Missouri producers now use farm management software or apps that sync with their RFID readers to automate recordkeeping — a practice that reduces errors and makes records easier to produce during a disease investigation.

Pro Tip: Keep a spreadsheet or farm management record that ties each animal’s AIN (the 15-digit 840 number) to your premises ID, the date of tagging, and any movement documents. If a tag is lost and replaced, log the old and new AIN together. This record is what state and federal investigators will ask for first during a disease trace.

For additional Missouri livestock and animal compliance topics, you may also find these resources useful: rabies vaccine requirements in Missouri, fishing license requirements in Missouri, and hunting license requirements in Missouri. If you move livestock across neighboring state lines, review the trailer and transport rules for Kansas, Oklahoma, Illinois, and Wisconsin as well.

Missouri’s livestock ear tag rules reflect a federal-state partnership designed to keep disease traceback fast and effective. Your obligation is straightforward: know which of your animals require official ID, use only approved 840 RFID tags for any new tagging on covered cattle and bison, obtain your premises ID before ordering tags, document every tag you apply and receive, and make sure every interstate shipment travels with a valid CVI that matches your animals’ ear tag numbers. Staying on top of these steps protects not just your operation, but the broader Missouri livestock industry that depends on open interstate markets.