Livestock Ear Tag Requirements in Vermont: What Every Farmer Needs to Know
July 26, 2026
If you raise cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, or camelids in Vermont, official ear tag requirements apply every time your animals leave the farm — not just when they cross state lines. Vermont is one of the stricter states in the country when it comes to intrastate livestock identification, and a major federal rule change in November 2024 made compliance even more specific for cattle producers.
Whether you are heading to a livestock market, a county fair, or a neighboring farm, your animals need to be properly tagged before they leave your property. This guide walks you through exactly which animals need tags, what type of tag is now required, where to get them, and how to stay in compliance with both Vermont state law and USDA federal rules.
Which Animals Require Official Ear Tags in Vermont
Vermont state law requires all livestock transported within the state to be officially identified prior to leaving the property of origin, regardless of the reason for movement or duration of absence from the property. This is broader than the federal rule, which focuses primarily on interstate movement.
Livestock covered under Vermont law include dairy and beef cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and camelids. Examples of movement that trigger this requirement include transport to a slaughter facility, movement to a new farm location, and transport to a fair or exhibit.
Having an official ear tag applied gives your animal a greater likelihood of maintained traceability during transport, marketing, and slaughter. It also ensures that drug residues are not erroneously attributed to you and that the authenticity of any marketing claims you are making can be readily verified.
Pro Tip: Vermont’s intrastate tagging rule applies even for short-duration moves. If your animal leaves your property for any reason — including a vet visit at another farm — it needs official ID before it goes.
Federal RFID Ear Tag Rule: What Changed in November 2024
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service amended the animal disease traceability regulations to require that eartags applied on or after a date 180 days after publication be both visually and electronically readable in order to be recognized as official eartags for interstate movement of cattle and bison covered under the regulations. This rule became effective November 5, 2024.
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. In other words, if your cattle already needed official ID before November 2024, they still do. The difference is that visual-only metal tags no longer qualify for cattle tagged after that date.
Per 9 CFR Part 86, visual-only NUES tags are no longer acceptable as official identification for cattle and bison when applied on or after November 5, 2024. Visual-only NUES tags for cattle and bison placed in ears prior to this date will be considered official for the life of the animal. You do not need to retag animals that already had an approved visual tag before the cutoff.
The rule applies to specific categories of cattle and bison crossing state lines: sexually intact beef cattle and bison 18 months of age or older, as well as animals required to be officially identified under any federal disease program such as brucellosis or tuberculosis. USDA estimates this affects approximately 11 to 12 percent of the national cattle herd in any given year.
Congress directed USDA-APHIS to allocate no less than $15 million for the cost of tags and related infrastructure to help offset those costs. Vermont farmers can access some of these funds through the state agency — more on that in the sourcing section below.
Important Note: The November 2024 federal rule applies specifically to cattle and bison. Sheep, goats, swine, and camelids follow separate federal identification programs with their own tag types and requirements.
Official 840 RFID Ear Tag Requirements in Vermont
Official identification is required for both intra- and interstate movement of livestock and poultry in Vermont. Metal ear tags (NUES tags) and 840 radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags are commonly used in Vermont by livestock owners to meet these requirements.
Beginning November 5, 2024, there is only one USDA-official tag type approved for cattle. USDA’s final rule for cattle ID requires all official tags applied to cattle after November 5, 2024 to be both RFID and visually readable.
An official 840 RFID tag has three required elements you can verify before applying it:
- Official EID tags are 15 digits long, starting with 840-, have the US shield, and say “Unlawful to Remove.”
- Both HDX (half-duplex) and FDX (full-duplex) low-frequency ear tags meet U.S. standards for official EID — either is acceptable for official purposes.
- The tag must be RFID-capable, not just visually printed with an 840 number. Visual-only 840 tags look similar to RFID tags, so confirm with your supplier before ordering.
Vermont state law under Title 6 § 1476 prohibits removal of official ear tags or other identification without authorization by the Secretary of the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets. Never cut out or remove an official tag without prior approval.
Species-Specific Ear Tag Rules in Vermont
Not every species follows the same tagging protocol. Vermont’s requirements mirror or build on federal species-specific programs, and the tag type that qualifies as “official” varies depending on the animal.
Cattle and Bison
As covered above, all cattle tagged after November 5, 2024, must use an 840 RFID tag that is both electronically and visually readable. Examples of cattle that require official identification in Vermont include cattle going to a livestock dealer or through a market, cattle moving out of state on a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI), cattle coming to your Vermont farm, and all animals traveling to a Vermont fair.
This also includes all young calves that arrive at markets for sale as feeders. Even if a calf is under 18 months and would be exempt from the federal interstate rule, Vermont’s intrastate law still applies.
Sheep and Goats
Animals required by federal and/or state regulations to be identified as part of the National Scrapie Eradication Program must be identified before they enter interstate commerce or if ownership changes. Some states have ID requirements that are stricter than federal requirements, so exceptions may not apply in all states.
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. Approved scrapie flock ID tags — plastic or metal — are the most common form of official ID for small ruminants. Do not use cattle RFID tags on small ruminants, as these animals have their own RFID tags.
Swine
Swine moving in Vermont must be officially identified before leaving the farm of origin. For swine, NUES metal tags remain a valid form of official ID because the November 2024 RFID mandate applies only to cattle and bison. USDA-APHIS announced a new initiative to provide no-cost EID tags for swine beginning fall 2025, available for sow and exhibition swine producers. Contact the Vermont Agency of Agriculture to confirm current swine tagging options before movement.
Camelids
Vermont’s official identification requirement covers dairy and beef cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and camelids. Camelids — including llamas and alpacas — must be officially identified before leaving the farm. NUES tags and 840 AIN tags are both approved options for camelids. Check with the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) at (802) 828-2421 to confirm the current approved tag type for your camelid species before movement.
Where to Get Official Ear Tags in Vermont
Vermont farmers have two main channels for obtaining official ear tags: the state agency and approved commercial distributors. The right source depends on your species and how many tags you need.
Free Tags Through the State
For many years, VAAFM has provided metal NUES tags at no charge to farmers and veterinarians. The agency now also makes RFID tags available to Vermont farmers and veterinarians at no charge for use in cattle, though supplies are limited.
Call the Animal Health Section at (802) 828-2421 or email your request to agr.animalhealth@vermont.gov to request metal or RFID tags. Allow at least 2–3 weeks notice for tags. Plan ahead, especially before fair season or a scheduled sale.
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 will need to purchase the compatible applicator from the tag manufacturer.
Commercial Distributors
AIN 840 tags may also be purchased from most ear tag distributors. 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.
RFID 840 tags cost between $2 and $5 per tag, depending on the manufacturer, tag style, and order quantity. If you need more tags than the state allotment covers, ordering directly from an approved manufacturer is the most reliable option. Confirm that any tags you purchase are RFID-capable and carry the official US shield before applying them.
Pro Tip: You need a valid Premises Identification Number (PIN) to purchase 840 RFID tags from commercial distributors. If you do not have a PIN, contact the VAAFM Animal Health Office — they can assign one and answer questions about the requirements at the same time.
How and When to Apply Ear Tags in Vermont
Timing and technique both matter when it comes to official ear tags. Applying a tag incorrectly or at the wrong time can create compliance problems and animal health issues.
When to Tag
Apply the official tag well before movement — for example, at processing, preconditioning, or prior to sale or shipment — to avoid delays. Vermont law requires the tag to be in place before the animal leaves your property, so tagging the morning of a sale is cutting it too close if anything goes wrong with the applicator.
Placement and Technique
Place the tag in the middle third of the ear, between the two cartilage ribs, avoiding blood vessels. Follow brand-specific instructions for your applicator. Standard protocol calls for placement in the left ear.
Clean the applicator and the ear before tagging. Ensure firm closure and check retention before animals leave the chute. A tag that falls out in transit puts you out of compliance and creates a traceability gap that is difficult to resolve.
Replacing Lost Tags
If an animal loses an official tag, you must replace it before the animal moves again. Record the original tag number, the date of loss (if known), and the new replacement tag number in your records. Contact the VAAFM Animal Health Office to report a lost tag and obtain a replacement. Vermont law prohibits removal of official ear tags without authorization from the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets — this applies to intentional removal as well as negligent loss that is not properly documented and replaced.
If you raise and move livestock across state lines, you may also find it useful to review Vermont livestock trailer requirements to make sure your transport setup meets all applicable standards alongside your tagging compliance.
Ear Tag Requirements for Interstate Movement in Vermont
Moving livestock out of Vermont adds a layer of federal requirements on top of state rules. The destination state may also impose its own import requirements, which can differ significantly from Vermont’s rules.
The requirements pertaining to importation of livestock and poultry into Vermont from another state are addressed in Rule #98074: Rules Governing the Importation of Domestic Animals, Including Livestock and Poultry. Import Permits are required in advance of movement of all poultry and livestock species into Vermont except horses, and may be obtained by calling the Animal Health Office at (802) 828-2421.
When 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. Your accredited veterinarian issues the ICVI and will verify that your animals carry appropriate official ID before signing the certificate.
For cattle leaving Vermont, the 840 RFID tag is now the required form of official ID for any animal tagged after November 5, 2024. For information on transporting an animal from Vermont into another state, the USDA’s Interstate Livestock website is a useful resource, though species are still being added. It is strongly recommended that requirements be confirmed by calling the agricultural agency of the individual state of destination.
| Species | Required ID for Interstate Movement | Additional Document |
|---|---|---|
| Cattle / Bison (tagged after Nov. 5, 2024) | 840 RFID tag (visually + electronically readable) | ICVI required for most movements |
| Cattle / Bison (tagged before Nov. 5, 2024) | Existing official tag grandfathered for life of animal | ICVI required for most movements |
| Sheep / Goats | Scrapie flock ID tag or approved RFID device | ICVI; scrapie program compliance |
| Swine | NUES tag or approved ID | ICVI; check destination state rules |
| Camelids | NUES tag or 840 AIN tag | ICVI; Import Permit for incoming animals |
If you are moving cattle to neighboring states, the following resources cover livestock transport rules in nearby and common destination states: Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Tennessee each have their own trailer and movement requirements worth reviewing before you load up.
Recordkeeping Requirements for Ear-Tagged Animals in Vermont
Tagging your animals is only part of the compliance picture. Both state and federal rules require you to maintain records that link tag numbers to individual animals, movements, and transactions.
What to Record
For cattle, your records should include the official 840 tag number for each animal, the date the tag was applied, the animal’s breed and sex, and the premises identification number (PIN) associated with the tags. Non-EID official eartags applied before November 5, 2024 remain valid. If you apply a new EID tag to an already officially identified animal, you must record both tag numbers and the date the new tag was applied.
For sheep and goats, records must be kept for five years after the animal is sold or otherwise disposed of. Producers should ideally keep records in an electronic format, such as a spreadsheet. Required entries include the flock ID number of the flock of origin, the name and address of the person who currently owns the animals, and the name and address of the owner of the flock of origin if different.
How Long to Keep Records
Additional recordkeeping requirements under the federal ADT rule include retrieval of official identification distribution records and Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) within 48 hours of a request made by federal or state animal health officials. Keep your records organized and accessible — not buried in a filing cabinet you cannot locate quickly.
A straightforward approach is to maintain a running spreadsheet with one row per animal, columns for tag number, species, breed, sex, date tagged, and movement history. Back up the file regularly and keep copies of all CVIs and movement permits attached or linked to the relevant entries.
Pro Tip: Vermont’s Animal Health Section staff can assist you with obtaining ear tags and answering recordkeeping questions. Call (802) 828-2421 or email agr.animalhealth@vermont.gov — they work directly with farms to ensure proper implementation.
Why Traceability Records Matter
Official ear tags provide animal health officials with a specific starting point from which to trace diseased or potentially diseased animals. The required tag distribution records associate the official identification number with the person who received the device. Without official identification, animal health officials’ ability to accurately trace an animal’s movements can take months or may never be achieved.
Vermont’s livestock sector — including its significant dairy industry — depends on fast, accurate disease response. Keeping clean records is not just a compliance box to check; it protects your farm, your neighbors’ farms, and Vermont’s broader agricultural economy in the event of a disease investigation.
For additional context on livestock movement compliance across the region, you may also find these state-specific guides helpful: New York livestock trailer requirements, Wisconsin, and Missouri — all states that Vermont producers commonly move animals to or through. Vermont farmers can also review Vermont fishing license requirements and Vermont hunting license requirements for other state-specific regulatory guidance on the same site.
If you have questions about any of the requirements covered here, contact the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets Animal Health Section directly. For federal-level RFID and ADT program details, the USDA APHIS Animal Disease Traceability page is the authoritative source. The Federal Register final rule published May 9, 2024 provides the full regulatory text for the November 2024 RFID mandate. For sheep and goat scrapie tagging requirements, visit the USDA APHIS Scrapie Tag page directly.