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

If you raise cattle, sheep, goats, swine, or horses in Ohio, ear tag compliance is not optional — and the rules changed significantly in November 2024. A federal rule now requires that any new official ear tag applied to cattle or bison must be both visually and electronically readable, replacing the older metal clip tags that once sufficed for interstate movement.

Whether you are moving animals across state lines, heading to an Ohio county fair, or simply maintaining your herd records, understanding which tags are required, how to apply them, and where to get them can save you from costly compliance headaches. This guide walks you through every layer of Ohio’s livestock ear tag requirements — from federal mandates to state-specific rules — so you can keep your operation running smoothly.

Which Animals Require Official Ear Tags in Ohio

Not every animal on your Ohio farm needs an official ear tag, but the list is broader than many producers expect. The requirements vary by species, age, sex, and purpose — and they apply both to animals you move out of state and to animals you bring into Ohio.

All sexually intact animals over 18 months of age and all dairy cattle of any age — including steers and spayed heifers — must be officially individually identified. This applies whether you are moving animals within Ohio or across state lines.

The 2024 federal 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. Ohio follows these federal categories as its baseline for official identification requirements.

The table below summarizes which Ohio livestock species trigger official ear tag requirements:

Species	Animals Requiring Official ID	Primary Tag Type
Cattle & Bison	Sexually intact animals 18+ months; all dairy cattle; rodeo/show/exhibition cattle of any age	840 RFID EID tag
Sheep	Animals over 18 months; sexually intact animals under 18 months sold for breeding or exhibition	Scrapie flock ID tag or 840 RFID
Goats	Sexually intact animals not in slaughter channels, any age	Scrapie flock ID tag or 840 RFID
Swine	Animals moving interstate; sows and exhibition swine (RFID program)	Premises ID (PIN) tag or RFID
Horses & Equids	Animals moving interstate (with limited exemptions)	Official ID device or microchip

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. Horses and other equids moving interstate must be officially identified prior to the interstate movement using an official identification device or method, unless they are used as the mode of transportation for travel and return to the original location.

Important Note: Animals going directly to slaughter are generally exempt from official ear tag requirements under federal and Ohio rules. Always confirm with the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) if you are unsure whether a specific movement qualifies for an exemption.

Federal RFID Ear Tag Rule: What Changed in November 2024

The single biggest shift in livestock identification in recent years took effect on November 5, 2024. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) amended the animal disease traceability regulations to require that ear tags applied on or after a date 180 days after publication of the final rule 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.

The final rule took effect 180 days after it was published in the Federal Register. USDA published the final rule on May 9, 2024, making the effective date November 5, 2024. This means any official tag you apply to a covered animal today must have both a readable number printed on its face and an embedded electronic chip — visual-only metal tags no longer qualify for new applications.

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 ID. So if an animal already has a pre-rule metal tag, you can leave it in place for the animal’s lifetime.

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 gives Ohio producers a practical path to bring older-tagged animals into full compliance without removing existing hardware.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act passed in March of 2024 allocated $15 million for EID tags. Ohio producers should contact the State Veterinarian’s office at the Ohio Department of Agriculture for information about the availability of free EID tags that comply with the official identification requirements.

Pro Tip: Federal funding has been used to distribute no-cost 840 RFID tags to producers. Contact the ODA State Veterinarian’s office at 614-728-6220 to ask about current tag availability before purchasing tags out of pocket.

Official 840 RFID Ear Tag Requirements in Ohio

The 840 RFID tag is now the standard official identification device for cattle and bison in Ohio. 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 number “840” is code for the United States. After the 840, these tags will have 12 other numbers unique to that animal. Every tag in your herd carries a globally unique Animal Identification Number (AIN) tied directly to your premises.

Ohio recognizes two formats of official 840 tags:

• 840 EID (RFID) tags — required for any new official tag applied on or after November 5, 2024, for cattle and bison moving interstate
• 840 visual-only tags — the minimum identification standard for cattle is the visual 840 tag. For visual-only tags, the entire official identification number must be imprinted on the portion of the tag inside the animal’s ear. This will suffice if the cattle never leave the state of origin within their lifetime; however, interstate travel requires a tag with electronic capabilities.

Tag formatting rules are strict. For 840 tags, a space must be inserted after each third digit of the animal identification number (AIN) imprinted on the tag (for example, 840 003 123 456 789). The font for all characters for required information imprinted on the tag must be Arial. All official identification numbers must be imprinted at a minimum height of 5 mm (0.2 inches) on a bright, contrasting background.

Producers will need to obtain a premises identification number (PIN) or location identifier (LID). These unique codes are permanently assigned to a single physical location. A PIN or LID allows animal health officials to quickly and precisely identify where animals are in the event of an animal health or food safety emergency. You must have a PIN or LID to purchase official electronic animal identification tags.

Producers should not sell, loan, or give tags they have purchased to other producers, because all 840 ID tags they have purchased are recorded as being distributed to them using the location identification system (Premises ID) used by their state.

Species-Specific Ear Tag Rules in Ohio

Ohio’s ear tag rules differ meaningfully by species. Applying cattle rules to your sheep flock or swine operation will leave you out of compliance, so review each species carefully.

Cattle and Bison

Cattle and bison face the most detailed requirements. Official ID options for cattle and bison include an official ear tag bearing the U.S. shield (AIN/840 number or a NUES) or an ear tattoo which has been registered with a breed association. Since November 5, 2024, any new official tag must be an 840 RFID device. The average cost of an 840 tag is $3 per head, though free tags remain available through the ODA while supplies last.

Sheep

Sheep identification in Ohio is governed by the federal National Scrapie Eradication Program. Sheep and goats only need to be officially identified when leaving the premises or when being sold to another owner. Do not buy or sell animals of any age that may be used for breeding, or animals over 18 months of age for any purpose, unless they are officially identified.

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 require official identification. Plastic tags are preferred for animals that require shearing. If metal tags are used, the preferred placement is in the left ear, about a third of the way down from the head — where it is more visible and easier to keep out of the way when shearing.

Goats

Goats imported for breeding purposes must be accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI), be officially identified, and meet disease requirements. Like sheep, goats fall under the scrapie identification program. Sexually intact goats not in slaughter channels of any age require official identification. Ohio’s scrapie regulations are found in Rule 901:1-13-04 of the Ohio Administrative Code.

Swine

Swine moving interstate must be officially identified in accordance with § 71.19 of the federal code. Ohio requires swine imported into the state to be accompanied by a CVI and meet disease requirements. USDA APHIS announced a new initiative to provide no-cost RFID ear tags for swine beginning fall 2025. These tags are available for sow and exhibition swine producers. Once available, producers and state animal health officials can order tags on the Merck Animal Health website at www.840swinetags.com.

Ohio also has an upcoming exhibition requirement: Ohio Administrative Code 901-19 was updated May 23, 2024. Beginning January 1, 2027, all cattle and swine will be required to have official ear tags at exhibitions in Ohio.

Horses and Equids

Horses, mules, asses, and ponies imported into Ohio for exhibition shall comply with Rule 901:1-17-07 of the Administrative Code. For interstate movement, horses must carry official identification unless they qualify for a specific exemption, such as returning to the farm of origin after veterinary treatment without a change of ownership. 840 AINs are available in microchip implants for equine and other species as an alternative to ear tags.

Where to Get Official Ear Tags in Ohio

Ohio producers have several routes to obtain official 840 RFID ear tags. Your first step is always securing a valid Premises ID — you cannot legally order official tags without one.

To get your Premises ID (PIN or LID), contact the Ohio Department of Agriculture Animal Health Division at 614-728-6220. Once you have a PIN or LID on file, you can order tags through the following channels:

• ODA State Veterinarian’s office — Ohio producers should contact the State Veterinarian’s office at the Ohio Department of Agriculture for information about the availability of free EID tags that comply with the official identification requirements.
• Approved tag manufacturers — Producers can purchase tags from approved manufacturers directly or check with their veterinarian to see if they have a supply of RFID tags. Tag manufacturers include Allflex, Datamars, Destron, Leader, Shearwell, Wuxi, and Y-Tex.
• Accredited veterinarians — Your herd vet may carry a supply of official tags, particularly for brucellosis vaccination purposes.
• Online livestock tag retailers — Retailers such as LivestockTags.com and CattleTags.com sell USDA-approved 840 RFID tags directly to producers. A Premises ID is required to purchase USDA tags from these sources.

For sheep and goat scrapie tags, 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. Producers and others who handle sheep or goats in commerce who need additional tags or want a different type or color of tag may purchase official plastic, metal, or RFID tags directly from approved tag manufacturers. A flock or premises ID is required to order tags from these sources.

For swine RFID tags, Ohio producers can request a loan of an RFID reader from ODA free of charge. ODA has several models of RFID readers available for loan free of charge to Ohio fairs and exhibitions, veterinarians, and producers. To request a loan, fill out the RFID Reader Request Form or download and email completed forms to animal@agri.ohio.gov.

How and When to Apply Ear Tags in Ohio

Proper tag application protects both the animal and your compliance record. A tag applied incorrectly is more likely to be lost — and a lost tag creates a traceability gap that can complicate disease investigations and interstate movement paperwork.

RFID tags are recommended to be placed in the left ear. For cattle, the tag should be placed in the middle third of the ear, away from the major cartilage ribs, to minimize the risk of tearing. Electronic identification tags should be placed with the correct applicator. Not all applicators work with all tags, and higher tag retention may result from using the correct applicator with the correct tag.

Timing matters as much as placement. Tag cattle and bison before they leave your premises for any covered purpose — interstate movement, exhibition, or rodeo. Animals consigned to a USDA-approved livestock market can be accompanied by an Owner Shipper Statement (OSS); they must meet the identification and disease requirements. Animals can also go directly to a livestock market that is a designated tagging site and be identified there.

For sheep and goats, for young lambs, leave enough space for growth by leaving one third of the tag overhanging the edge of the ear. This simple step prevents the tag from cutting into the ear as the animal matures.

Pro Tip: Never re-use a tag from one animal on another. Official tags may not be sold or given to another person. If you no longer need the tags, they should be destroyed or returned to the APHIS Veterinary Services District Field Office for your state.

For brucellosis vaccination, the new official brucellosis identification is an orange RFID button tag. These are placed in the right ear by the herd veterinarian at the time of vaccination. This is the one scenario where a tag goes in the right ear rather than the left.

Ear Tag Requirements for Interstate Movement in Ohio

Moving livestock across Ohio’s borders — whether you are sending cattle to a Kentucky sale barn or bringing breeding stock in from Indiana — triggers both federal and state-level identification requirements. Before loading the trailer, confirm your animals are tagged and your paperwork is in order. You can also review Ohio’s transporting livestock laws and livestock trailer requirements in Ohio for the full picture of what is required on the road.

USDA has issued a Final Rule, effective November 5, 2024, requiring certain cattle and bison producers who ship animals across state lines to use ear tags that are both visually and electronically readable. The categories of covered animals have not changed from the pre-2024 rule — only the tag technology requirement is new.

All dairy females and males born after March 11, 2013, exhibition and rodeo cattle, and sexually intact beef cattle 18 months of age and older must be officially identified before moving interstate. Beef animals under 18 months of age moving directly to slaughter remain exempt.

Beyond the ear tag itself, interstate movement requires accompanying documentation:

• Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) — Cattle and bison moved interstate must be accompanied by a CVI 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.
• Owner Shipper Statement (OSS) — An alternative to the CVI for certain direct-to-market movements.
• Health certificates for sheep, goats, and swine — Each species has its own documentation requirements under Ohio Administrative Code.

Ohio also has specific import requirements for animals coming into the state. Swine imported or brought into Ohio must be accompanied by a CVI, have identification, and meet disease requirements. The CVI must be completed and signed by an accredited veterinarian and must have been issued within 30 days prior to coming into Ohio.

If you ship livestock to neighboring states, be aware that requirements vary. Producers moving animals to Pennsylvania, Indiana, or Wisconsin should verify each state’s current identification and health certificate rules before departure. You can also reference guides for Michigan, Missouri, and Kentucky if your routes cross those borders.

Important Note: One stipulation in the new rule requires ear tags to be both visually and electronically readable to be recognized as official ear tags for interstate travel for cattle and bison. This final rule does not require exclusive use of ear tags; the regulations continue to list ear tags as one of several forms of authorized official identification, which also include tattoos and brands when accepted by state officials in the sending and receiving states.

Recordkeeping Requirements for Ear-Tagged Animals in Ohio

Tagging your animals is only half of the compliance equation. Federal and Ohio regulations require you to maintain records that link each tag number to a specific animal, premises, and movement history. These records are the foundation of disease traceability — without them, a tag number alone cannot tell investigators where an animal has been.

Section 86.3 of the federal regulations addresses recordkeeping requirements for official identification. 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.

The retention period for your own farm records depends on species:

• Cattle, bison, sheep, goats, cervids, and equine — such documents must be kept for at least 5 years.
• Poultry and swine — such documents must be kept for at least 2 years.

What exactly should you record? At a minimum, track the following for each tagged animal:

1. The full 15-digit AIN printed on the tag
2. The date the tag was applied
3. The species, breed, sex, and approximate age of the animal
4. Your Premises ID (PIN or LID) at the time of tagging
5. Any movement documents (CVI or OSS) associated with the animal
6. The name and address of any buyer or receiving premises

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 records current at each of these moments ensures you can respond quickly if ODA or USDA APHIS contacts you during a disease investigation.

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. ODA loans RFID readers to Ohio producers at no charge, making electronic recordkeeping accessible even for small operations.

Finally, remember that your Premises ID registration must stay current. A national premises identification number (PIN) is a unique number, permanently assigned to a physical address where livestock animals are located. All owner and premises information collected is stored and maintained in a federal database. If you move your operation or change ownership, update your registration with ODA promptly. For a broader look at Ohio livestock regulations, review the transporting livestock laws in Ohio and the Ohio livestock trailer requirements to make sure every aspect of your operation stays compliant. Producers in neighboring states can also find state-specific guides for Illinois, Kansas, and Oklahoma on the same resource.