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

If you raise cattle, sheep, goats, swine, or other livestock in Maine, federal and state ear tag rules directly affect how you buy, sell, and move your animals. Getting identification wrong can mean fines, rejected shipments, or loss of selling privileges at auction markets — outcomes no Maine producer wants to face.

The landscape shifted significantly on November 5, 2024, when a new USDA rule took effect requiring electronic identification (EID) tags for covered cattle and bison moving interstate. Whether you run a small hobby farm in Aroostook County or a larger commercial operation in the Kennebec Valley, this guide walks you through exactly what Maine requires, which animals are covered, and how to stay compliant from tagging through recordkeeping.

Which Animals Require Official Ear Tags in Maine

The Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) program is a USDA initiative that applies to all livestock moving interstate, incorporating individual animal identification, recordkeeping, and, when necessary, record sharing. Maine participates in this cooperative program through the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF).

Cattle, goats, sheep, and swine all require official USDA-approved ID when moving into or out of Maine. Cattle, bison, swine, sheep, goats, poultry, equine, cervids (deer, elk), camelids (llamas, alpacas), and aquaculture are all examples of species that would be registered under a premises identification number.

The table below summarizes which species require official ear tags under federal ADT regulations for interstate movement:

Species	Official ID Required?	Tag Type	Notes
Cattle & Bison (covered classes)	Yes	840 RFID (required as of Nov. 5, 2024)	Sexually intact 18+ months, all dairy, rodeo/show animals
Sheep & Goats	Yes	Scrapie program tags or 840 RFID	Required prior to interstate movement
Swine	Yes	840 RFID or approved PIN tags	Group/lot ID allowed in some production systems
Horses & Equids	Yes (interstate)	Various approved devices	No import permit required in Maine; negative Coggins + health cert needed
Captive Cervids	Yes	Per 9 CFR Part 77	Deer, elk, and similar species
Poultry	Flock-level ID	NPIP program	Individual tags generally not required

Swine, including “pet pigs,” are still considered livestock and must meet all import requirements for swine. Pet microchips are not acceptable forms of ID.

Federal RFID Ear Tag Rule: What Changed in November 2024

On November 5, 2024, new federal rules took effect requiring electronic identification (EID) ear tags for certain cattle and bison moving across state lines. The rule, published by USDA APHIS, replaces the old system of visual-only metal tags with radio frequency identification (RFID) tags that can be read electronically.

USDA amended the animal disease traceability regulations to require that eartags applied on or after November 5, 2024 be both visually and electronically readable in order to be recognized for use as official eartags for interstate movement of cattle and bison covered under the regulations. This was the most significant update to livestock identification rules in over a decade.

This requirement applies to official identification placed for any reason, including interstate movement, brucellosis vaccination, and tuberculosis testing. Cattle tagged with visual-only official tags prior to November 5, 2024, do not need to be retagged unless they lose their ID.

Important Note: If your cattle already had a visual NUES metal tag or other approved official ID in their ear before November 5, 2024, those animals are considered officially tagged for the life of the animal — no retagging is required unless the tag is lost.

While typically placing two official IDs on an animal is not allowed, an exception is made if the first tag is just visual and the second tag is electronically readable, such as an RFID tag. This provision allows producers to add an 840 RFID tag alongside a pre-existing visual tag without violating identification rules.

These changes enhance the ability of Tribal, State, and Federal officials, private veterinarians, and livestock producers to quickly respond to high-impact diseases currently existing in the United States, as well as foreign animal diseases that threaten the viability of the U.S. cattle and bison industries.

Official 840 RFID Ear Tag Requirements in Maine

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.” These are the only tags that now satisfy official identification requirements for covered cattle and bison in Maine.

USDA 840 tags are only developed by authorized manufacturers and have a unique Animal Identification Number (AIN) that begins with the prefix 840. The number “840” is the country code for the United States. After the 840, these tags have 12 other numbers unique to that animal.

When purchasing 840 tags, you must submit your Premises ID number. The tag distributor will then confirm that the Premises ID number given is accurate. This is what makes the system traceable — your tags are permanently linked to your registered premises before they ever reach your farm.

• Tag format: 15-digit number beginning with “840” (U.S. country code)
• Display requirements: Must show the USDA shield and “Unlawful to Remove” text
• Technology: Must be both visually and electronically readable (RFID)
• Premises linkage: Your Premises ID (PIN) is required to order tags
• Approved manufacturers only: Tags must come from USDA-approved vendors

Currently, the only official tags that meet these requirements are 840 RFID tags. Tags from the 900-series or older non-RFID formats applied after November 5, 2024, do not qualify as official identification for cattle or bison in Maine.

Pro Tip: You need a registered Premises Identification Number (PIN) before you can order 840 tags. Register your Maine premises through the DACF’s Animal Disease Traceability program page — the office typically issues your PIN within one business day of submitting your online application.

Species-Specific Ear Tag Rules in Maine

While the November 2024 RFID rule focuses on cattle and bison, other species have their own identification requirements that Maine producers must follow. These rules are rooted in federal disease eradication programs and apply whenever animals move interstate.

Cattle and Bison

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. Beef feeder cattle under 18 months moving directly to slaughter are generally exempt from the RFID requirement, though Maine or the destination state may impose additional requirements.

Sheep and Goats

Sheep and goats moved interstate must be officially identified prior to the interstate movement unless they are exempt from official identification requirements under 9 CFR Part 79 or are officially identified after the interstate movement, as provided in 9 CFR Part 79. For sheep, the National Scrapie Eradication Program governs tag requirements. Do not use cattle RFID tags on small ruminants — these animals have their own RFID tags.

Swine

Swine that are required to be officially identified for interstate movement must be identified by a device or method authorized by § 71.19 of this chapter. 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.

USDA APHIS announced a new initiative beginning fall 2025 to provide no-cost RFID eartags for swine — available for sow and exhibition swine producers. For more information about this program, including the ordering process and requirements, visit www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/swine/swine-identification.

Horses and Equids

Equine don’t require an import permit when entering Maine, but a negative Coggins test within the last 12 months and a health certificate are required. For interstate movement, most states require individual identification and a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) for horses.

Where to Get Official Ear Tags in Maine

Sourcing your tags from the right channels matters. Only USDA-authorized manufacturers and approved distributors can supply official 840 RFID tags, and your Premises ID must be validated before your order ships.

Three major manufacturers produce approved 840 tags: Allflex (Dallas, TX), Datamars (Temple, TX), and Y-Tex (Cody, WY). Tags are available through veterinary supply distributors, farm supply stores, and directly from manufacturers.

Many state veterinarian offices distribute free 840 RFID tags to producers, but supply has been uneven. Contact the Maine DACF Division of Animal and Plant Health at (207) 287-3701 to check current availability of no-cost tags through the state program.

• Maine DACF Animal Health Office: (207) 287-3701 — ask about no-cost RFID tag availability
• Accredited veterinarians: Your veterinarian may be an option to obtain 840 ear tags.
• Online tag distributors: Sites like LivestockTags.com carry Allflex USDA-approved tags
• Farm supply stores: Valley Vet and similar retailers carry approved 840 tag options
• Direct from manufacturers: Allflex, Datamars, and Y-Tex all sell directly to producers

840 tags 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. Plan ahead — it may take several days for your tag order to be received, processed, shipped, and delivered.

RFID 840 tags cost between $2 and $5 per tag, depending on the manufacturer, tag style, and order quantity (as of early 2026). The Consolidated Appropriations Act passed in March 2024 allocated $15 million for EID tags, a portion of which flows through state veterinarian offices as no-cost tags for eligible producers.

Pro Tip: Order tags well before you need them. If you plan to sell cattle at a Maine auction market or move animals out of state in the spring, place your tag order in late winter to avoid delays. Some markets charge a per-tag fee if they have to apply tags at the facility.

How and When to Apply Ear Tags in Maine

Proper tag placement protects both the animal and the integrity of your identification records. A poorly placed tag is more likely to be lost, and a lost official tag creates a compliance headache when you move animals.

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. USDA prefers producers apply ear tags in the left ear, leaving the right ear for official use — particularly for brucellosis vaccination tags applied by a veterinarian.

If a visual tag and an EID button are placed in the ear, the EID button should be placed in the standard location with the visual tag a little closer to the outside of the ear. The female (thicker) portion of the tag should always be to the inside of the ear.

Timing your tagging correctly also matters:

1. Before interstate movement: All covered cattle, sheep, goats, and swine must be officially tagged before leaving Maine for another state.
2. Before going to auction: Any animal requiring official ID must be tagged before arriving at a Maine livestock market — not upon arrival.
3. At 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.
4. When official ID is lost: If an animal loses its official tag, you must replace it with an approved 840 RFID tag and update your records accordingly.

HDX tags utilize half-duplex technology that can be read from a greater distance and are beneficial for automated systems. FDX tags utilize full-duplex technology and are a cost-effective option. Both types are approved for use in Maine as long as they meet the 840 RFID standard.

Ear Tag Requirements for Interstate Movement in Maine

Moving livestock out of Maine — or bringing animals in — triggers both federal ADT requirements and Maine’s own import rules. Understanding both layers keeps your shipments moving without delays.

Cattle and bison moved interstate must be accompanied by an Interstate Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (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.

For animals entering Maine, the DACF requires an import permit for most species. Cattle, goats, sheep, and swine all require official USDA-approved ID. You can request an import permit through the Maine DACF Animal Health office before shipment.

The types of cattle required to be identified when moving interstate remain unchanged. The list includes dairy cattle, sexually intact beef cattle 18 months or older, and rodeo and exhibition cattle. What changed in November 2024 is the type of tag those animals must wear — not which animals are covered.

Key exemptions to keep in mind for interstate movement:

• Feeder cattle and those cattle and bison that move directly to slaughter do not require individual official identification and may move on backtags.
• Beef cattle under 18 months of age moving as feeders are generally exempt, unless the destination state requires identification.
• Swine moving within a production system do not need to be individually identified if there is a swine production health plan agreement in place.

If you’re also managing livestock transport logistics across state lines, understanding livestock trailer requirements alongside your ear tag obligations helps you stay fully compliant from the moment animals leave your property. Producers moving animals through neighboring states should also review Pennsylvania’s livestock trailer rules and Georgia’s trailer requirements if your routes pass through those states.

Pro Tip: Use the USDA APHIS Animal Disease Traceability page to look up import requirements for your destination state before you load animals. Requirements vary by state and species, and checking ahead prevents costly turnarounds at state lines.

Recordkeeping Requirements for Ear-Tagged Animals in Maine

Tagging your animals is only part of your compliance obligation. Federal regulations under 9 CFR Part 86 set specific recordkeeping timelines that Maine producers must follow, and the Maine DACF reinforces these requirements as part of the state’s ADT cooperative agreement with USDA.

Any State, Tribe, accredited veterinarian, or other person or entity who distributes official identification devices must maintain for 5 years a record of the names and addresses of anyone to whom the devices were distributed. Official identification device distribution records must be entered into the Tribal, State, Federal, or other database acceptable to each government entity.

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 equine species, 5 years. Keep these records organized and accessible — animal health officials can request them during a disease investigation.

Here is what your recordkeeping system should capture for each tagged animal:

• The animal’s official 840 tag number (AIN)
• Date the tag was applied
• Your Premises Identification Number (PIN)
• Species, sex, age, and breed
• Any ICVI or owner-shipper statement numbers associated with movements
• Receiving premises information for any animals you sell or transfer

A premises identification number is a unique code assigned to a physical location. Once a premises is established and registered with an identification number, it is tied to that physical location permanently, so there is no need to obtain a new number each year or re-register. If you raise livestock at multiple locations, there must be a unique premises identification number for each unique physical location.

While the regulations do not require the digitization of paper records, APHIS has encouraged the use of electronic recordkeeping through efforts such as targeted funding to State and Tribal animal health officials operating under an ADT cooperative agreement to support their electronic recordkeeping systems. Many Maine producers now use farm management software or simple spreadsheets to maintain compliant records.

Maine livestock producers with questions about other state-level animal regulations may also find it useful to review Maine’s rabies vaccine requirements for ferrets, or look into Maine fishing license requirements and Maine hunting license requirements if your property includes recreational activities alongside your livestock operation.

Staying current with ear tag and recordkeeping rules protects your animals, your business, and your neighbors. The November 2024 RFID rule was a significant shift, but with the right tags in place and a simple recordkeeping system, compliance is straightforward. When in doubt, contact the Maine DACF Animal Health division at (207) 287-3701 — they can confirm your premises registration status, check on no-cost tag availability, and answer species-specific questions for your operation.