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

Alaska livestock producers face a unique set of identification requirements that combine federal Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) rules with the state’s own import and movement protocols. Whether you run a cattle operation in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley or manage a small sheep flock on the Kenai Peninsula, understanding which animals need official ear tags — and exactly what type — protects your ability to move animals, access markets, and avoid costly compliance problems.

The landscape shifted significantly on November 5, 2024, when a USDA rule took effect requiring electronic identification on newly tagged cattle and bison. That change, layered on top of existing species-specific rules for sheep, goats, swine, and horses, means Alaska producers now need to navigate both federal and state requirements at the same time. This guide walks you through every major requirement so you can keep your operation compliant from tagging day through interstate shipment.

Which Animals Require Official Ear Tags in Alaska

Not every animal on your Alaska property needs an official ear tag — the requirement is tied to species, age, sex, and purpose. The USDA ADT rule (9 CFR Part 86) went into effect in 2013, and its core requirement is that livestock moving interstate must be officially identified and accompanied by a certificate of veterinary inspection. Alaska enforces these federal minimums through the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Office of the State Veterinarian.

Official identification is required for all sexually intact beef cattle 18 months of age or over, all dairy cattle and bison of any age, all cattle used for rodeo, recreation, show, or exhibition, and all sheep except market lambs less than 18 months of age. Beyond those categories, the species covered under federal ADT regulations include cattle and bison, sheep and goats, swine, horses and other equids, captive cervids such as deer and elk, and poultry.

The official identification requirements do not apply to livestock moving to a slaughter facility in accordance with federal and state regulations. If you are moving feeder cattle or market animals directly to a recognized slaughtering establishment, those animals may move on backtags rather than permanent official ear tags, which is a practical exemption many Alaskan beef producers rely on.

Pro Tip: If you are unsure whether a specific animal on your operation requires official identification, contact the Alaska DEC Office of the State Veterinarian before you move or sell the animal. Requirements can vary based on the destination state’s rules in addition to Alaska’s own protocols.

Federal RFID Ear Tag Rule: What Changed in November 2024

The most significant shift in livestock identification in recent years came from a USDA APHIS final rule published in the Federal Register on May 9, 2024. USDA amended the animal disease traceability regulations to require that ear tags applied on or after a date 180 days after publication be both visually and electronically readable in order to be recognized as official ear tags for interstate movement of cattle and bison. This rule became effective November 5, 2024.

Cattle tags applied after November 5, 2024, must be both visually and electronically readable — meaning RFID. The only official tags that meet these requirements are 840 RFID tags, and this requirement applies to official identification placed for any reason, including interstate movement, brucellosis vaccination, and tuberculosis testing.

There is an important grandfather provision that protects producers who had already tagged animals before the rule took effect. Official metal tags that conform to the National Uniform Eartagging System and were applied before the November 5, 2024, deadline will continue to be accepted. Cattle tagged with visual-only official tags prior to November 5, 2024, do not need to be retagged unless they lose their identification.

The 2024 rule applies to sexually intact cattle at or over the age of 18 months, all female dairy cattle of any age, male dairy cattle born after March 11, 2013, and all cattle used for rodeo, showing, or exhibitions. The categories of cattle and bison that must be identified when moving interstate have not changed — only the type of tag required for newly applied identification has changed.

Important Note: The November 2024 RFID mandate applies specifically to cattle and bison. Sheep, goats, swine, horses, and other covered species are not subject to this new RFID-only rule and continue to follow their own species-specific identification standards.

Official 840 RFID Ear Tag Requirements in Alaska

An official 840 RFID ear tag is the only electronic identification device currently approved by USDA APHIS for cattle and bison official identification. Official EID tags 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 first three digits are a country code — 840 for the United States — and the rest make up the unique sequence for that individual animal.

To purchase official 840 RFID tags, you must first have a premises identification number (PIN) or location identifier (LID) on file. AINs can only be distributed to a premise or entity that has either a PIN or LID. Distributors of electronic AINs are also obligated to keep records and verify the accuracy of the PIN or LID before distributing tags. You must have a PIN or LID to purchase official electronic animal identification tags.

Alaska has a specific distribution arrangement for 840 tags that benefits cattle producers in the state. Good Tags Inc. sends 5,000 tags from each batch to the Alaska Department of Agriculture, which hands all 5,000 tags out at no cost to cattle producers. The other 5,000 tags in each batch are sold directly to the Alaska Stockgrowers Association, whose executive director has completed the steps required by USDA to become an AIN Device Manager.

Tag Feature	Requirement
AIN prefix	Must begin with 840 (U.S. country code)
Readability	Both visually and electronically readable (RFID)
Official shield	U.S. Route Shield graphic with “US” imprinted
Tamper marking	“Unlawful to Remove” printed on tag
Premises requirement	PIN or LID required to purchase
Effective date for cattle/bison	All tags applied on or after November 5, 2024

Since March 11, 2015, all official ear tags applied to animals must bear an official ear tag shield. APHIS Veterinary Services authorizes tag manufacturers to imprint the official ear tag shield on approved tags. Tags from unauthorized manufacturers do not qualify as official identification, regardless of what number they display.

Species-Specific Ear Tag Rules in Alaska

Each livestock species follows a different identification standard under federal ADT regulations. Alaska producers managing mixed operations need to understand how the rules differ across their animals.

Cattle and Bison — As covered above, any official ear tag applied to cattle or bison on or after November 5, 2024, must be an 840 RFID tag. Visual-only identification devices placed in cattle and bison after November 5, 2024, are not considered official. Visual-only devices placed before this date may be used as official identification per 9 CFR Part 86.

Sheep and Goats — Sheep and goats follow the National Scrapie Eradication Program identification standards rather than the November 2024 RFID rule. All sheep except market lambs less than 18 months of age must be officially identified, and scrapie ear tags are accepted. The Code of Federal Regulations Part 79.2 and the National Scrapie Eradication Program Standards allow sheep and goats to be officially identified with registry tattoos for movement in interstate commerce with some exceptions. Regular program tags may be purchased by any producer who has a flock or premises ID.

Swine — For interstate movements, all swine must be individually identified with official identification unless the swine are kept as a group. The requirements for group shipment of swine are explained in 9 CFR Part 71.19. Swine moving within a production system do not need to be individually identified if there is a swine production health plan agreement in place. Producers who are moving swine via interstate commerce within their production system may qualify if all the necessary agreements are implemented.

Horses and Equids — For interstate movements, most states require that horses be individually identified and accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection. Horses and other equids moving interstate must be officially identified prior to the interstate movement unless they are used as the mode of transportation for travel to another location and return directly to the original location, or they are moved from the farm or stable for veterinary medical examination or treatment and returned to the same location without change in ownership. The Alaska DEC also provides specific guidance on horse travel to and from Alaska, including international movement requirements for horses crossing into Canada.

Captive Cervids — Captive deer and elk held on Alaska premises are subject to federal ADT identification requirements. Captive cervids that are required to be officially identified for interstate movement must be identified by a device or method authorized by 9 CFR Part 77. Contact the Alaska DEC Office of the State Veterinarian for current captive cervid identification options, as these animals also face additional disease surveillance requirements in many states.

Where to Get Official Ear Tags in Alaska

Alaska producers have several reliable routes for obtaining official 840 RFID ear tags. The state’s distribution arrangement means you may be able to get tags at no cost before turning to commercial suppliers.

• Alaska Department of Agriculture (free tags): Good Tags Inc. sends 5,000 tags from each USDA-allocated batch to the Alaska Department of Agriculture, which hands all 5,000 tags out at no cost to cattle producers. The Department is responsible for ensuring that every cattle producer receiving tags has a valid PIN or LID, and that records of which tags were distributed to which producer are entered into the system.
• Alaska Stockgrowers Association: After each box of 5,000 tags arrives, the Alaska Stockgrowers Association puts out the call to producers. Each time a producer or an accredited veterinarian arrives at the Stockgrowers office to pick up tags, the AIN distribution is recorded.
• Approved tag manufacturers: In the United States, three companies account for the bulk of 840 tag sales: Allflex (headquartered in Dallas, TX), Datamars (headquartered in Switzerland with an office in Temple, TX), and Y-Tex (headquartered in Cody, WY). Tags can be ordered directly from manufacturers or through online livestock supply retailers. The average cost of an 840 tag is $3 per head when purchased commercially (as reported in NCBA’s 2024 producer FAQ).
• Accredited veterinarians: Your local accredited veterinarian may keep a supply of official RFID tags on hand, particularly for brucellosis vaccination and tuberculosis testing purposes.

Pro Tip: Before ordering tags from a commercial supplier, check with the Alaska Department of Agriculture or the Alaska Stockgrowers Association. Free USDA-allocated tags are distributed through both channels, and obtaining them at no cost reduces your per-head identification expense significantly.

For sheep and goat producers, the National Scrapie Eradication Program provides up to 100 plastic flock ID tags free of charge to first-time participants in the sheep and goat identification program until available funds are expended. Contact USDA APHIS or the Alaska DEC to confirm current availability of no-cost scrapie program tags.

How and When to Apply Ear Tags in Alaska

Proper tag placement is not just a best practice — it affects whether the tag reads correctly and whether it qualifies as official identification. USDA guidance provides specific instructions on where in the ear tags should be placed and which ear is preferred for official use.

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. Correct placement reduces tag loss and ensures the RFID transponder can be scanned reliably at livestock markets, veterinary inspections, and border checkpoints.

For two-piece tags, the tag piece attached to the inside of the animal’s ear (visible from the front) is designated Tag Piece A, and the piece attached to the outside is Tag Piece B. Tags with RFID technology must have all 15 digits of the AIN printed on the tag piece that contains the transponder. The official ear tag shield and the text “Unlawful to Remove” must be printed on the other piece.

Timing matters as well. For cattle and bison, the tag must be in place before the animal moves interstate. For brucellosis vaccination, the new official brucellosis identification is an orange RFID button, placed in the right ear by the herd veterinarian at the time of vaccination. Tagging at birth or at weaning for animals likely to enter the show or sale circuit is a practical strategy that avoids scrambling to comply when movement documents are needed on short notice.

You do not need an RFID reader to use 840 tags. An EID reader is not required, but there are numerous advantages associated with using one. EID readers allow for quick and accurate scanning of electronic ID tags chuteside, facilitating efficient data collection. For larger Alaska operations that move cattle regularly, investing in a compatible reader pays dividends in time savings at the chute and during disease investigations.

Ear Tag Requirements for Interstate Movement in Alaska

Because Alaska is not contiguous with the lower 48 states, interstate livestock movement almost always involves transport by air or sea, adding logistical layers that producers in other states do not face. Regardless of the transport method, the federal identification and documentation requirements still apply.

When covered 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. Alaska uses both electronic and paper ICVIs — the Alaska DEC provides electronic CVI tools for Alaska veterinarians to streamline this process.

For cattle and bison specifically, cattle and bison moved interstate must be accompanied by an ICVI unless they are moved directly to a recognized slaughtering establishment or directly to an approved livestock facility and then directly to a recognized slaughtering establishment and they are accompanied by an owner-shipper statement, or they are moved directly to an approved livestock facility with an owner-shipper statement and do not move interstate from the facility unless accompanied by an ICVI.

The receiving state’s requirements also apply. Each state sets its own import conditions, which may be stricter than the federal minimums. If you are shipping cattle from Alaska to Washington, Oregon, or another state, you need to verify that state’s current import rules before loading the animals. Check with your APHIS Veterinary Services Area Office or your state animal health official for current requirements. You can also review livestock trailer requirements in Oregon and livestock trailer requirements in Washington to understand transport compliance in common destination states.

Alaska producers moving animals to or from other western states should also be aware that some states have added their own RFID mandates on top of the federal rule. Michigan, Colorado, Florida, and Kentucky have their own requirements to use RFID tags for certain movements, which may affect Alaska producers sending animals to those destinations.

Important Note: Alaska’s geographic separation from the contiguous U.S. means that livestock shipments often cross through Canada or travel via commercial cargo. International movements have additional documentation requirements beyond the federal ADT rules. Contact the Alaska DEC Office of the State Veterinarian and review USDA APHIS international movement guidance before shipping animals across the Canadian border.

For producers in neighboring states who regularly ship into or out of Alaska, reviewing livestock trailer requirements in Idaho and livestock trailer requirements in Wyoming can help ensure full compliance throughout the transport chain.

Recordkeeping Requirements for Ear-Tagged Animals in Alaska

Tagging your animals is only part of the compliance picture. Federal regulations require that producers, distributors, veterinarians, and livestock markets maintain records tied to official identification — and the retention period varies by species.

For poultry and swine, interstate movement documents must be kept for at least 2 years, and for cattle and bison, sheep and goats, cervids, and equids, 5 years. That five-year window for cattle records means you need a reliable system for storing tag numbers, movement documents, and purchase or sale records well beyond the typical production cycle of an animal.

At the tag distribution level, distributors of electronic AINs are obligated to keep records and verify the accuracy of the PIN or LID before handing out tags. This means the Alaska Department of Agriculture and the Alaska Stockgrowers Association both maintain records linking specific 840 AIN ranges to the producers who received them — a chain of custody that supports rapid disease tracing if an outbreak occurs.

For your own operation, the records you should maintain include:

1. Tag application records: The AIN of each tag applied, the date of application, and the animal it was placed on (by sex, age, and breed at minimum).
2. Movement documents: Copies of all ICVIs, owner-shipper statements, and import permits associated with animals you ship or receive.
3. Purchase and sale records: Documentation linking each AIN to a transaction, including the premises ID of the buyer or seller.
4. Tag loss records: If an animal loses a tag and is retagged, record the original AIN, the replacement AIN, and the date of replacement.

Tag information is recorded when tags are applied, at selling points, when official movements are recorded, and when a disease investigation is being conducted. Keeping your own records in sync with what markets and veterinarians record ensures there are no gaps in the traceability chain that could complicate a disease response or slow down a movement permit.

Electronic identification tags and systems provide many 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 Alaska producers are moving toward software-based herd management systems that integrate RFID scan data directly into their records, reducing the manual entry burden and improving accuracy.

If you are also managing fishing or hunting activities alongside your livestock operation, Alaska has separate licensing and documentation requirements for those activities. You can review fishing license requirements in Alaska and hunting license requirements in Alaska for guidance on those programs.

For producers in other states looking to understand how Alaska’s requirements compare to their own, the livestock trailer and traceability frameworks in states like Missouri, Kansas, Georgia, and Pennsylvania provide useful points of comparison for multi-state operations.

Staying current with both the Alaska DEC Office of the State Veterinarian and USDA APHIS is the most reliable way to catch any future changes to identification or recordkeeping rules. The November 2024 RFID rule was a significant update, but the federal ADT program continues to evolve — and Alaska producers who build strong identification and recordkeeping habits now will be well positioned for whatever requirements come next.