Livestock Microchipping Laws in Arkansas: What Producers Need to Know

If you raise cattle, horses, goats, sheep, or deer in Arkansas, the rules around official animal identification have changed significantly — and a microchip is not always interchangeable with the RFID ear tag you may already be using. Understanding exactly when an injectable transponder qualifies as official ID, and when it does not, can save you from a costly compliance problem at the state line or in a disease investigation.

This guide walks through the federal framework that governs livestock identification in Arkansas, which species can use a microchip as official ID, the technical standards those chips must meet, and how to register a premises so you can legally order and use approved devices.

Important Note: Arkansas does not publish a standalone state microchipping statute separate from the federal Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) framework. The rules that govern official livestock identification in Arkansas flow primarily from USDA-APHIS regulations under 9 CFR Part 86 and the National Scrapie Eradication Program. Always confirm current requirements with the Arkansas Department of Agriculture at agriculture.arkansas.gov or your accredited veterinarian.

Microchipping vs. RFID Ear Tags: What Counts as Official ID in Arkansas

The terms “microchip” and “RFID ear tag” both describe radio-frequency identification technology, but they are not the same device and they do not apply to the same species in the same way. An RFID ear tag is a plastic or metal tag clipped to the outside of an animal’s ear; a microchip (also called an injectable transponder) is a passive RFID chip injected subcutaneously under the skin. Both can carry an official Animal Identification Number (AIN), but federal rules specify which device type is approved for each species.

USDA-APHIS has established traceability regulations in 9 CFR Part 86, Traceability for Livestock Moving Interstate. Under that framework, official EID tags are USDA-approved official tags that carry 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.”

For cattle and bison in Arkansas, the ear tag — not the injectable microchip — is the standard official ID device. 840 AINs are available in microchip implants for equine and other species, but cattle ear-tag rules dominate the cattle traceability conversation. For horses, goats, sheep, and cervids, injectable transponders carrying an 840 AIN are a recognized option and are discussed in detail in the species section below.

One practical distinction matters for Arkansas producers: identification tags are effective means of identification only if they are in place on the animal when it becomes lost. Ear tags are effective and visible means of identification, but can be removed intentionally or by trauma. A properly implanted microchip eliminates that risk, which is one reason USDA has approved injectable transponders for certain species and situations.

If you move livestock across state lines, you should also review the rules on transporting livestock in Arkansas to understand what documentation must accompany officially identified animals.

The Federal RFID Mandate and What It Means for Arkansas Producers

The updated Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) regulations, effective November 5, 2024, aim to enhance the nation’s ability to respond to and mitigate the impact of foreign or significant diseases affecting livestock. The core change for Arkansas cattle and bison producers is straightforward: cattle tags applied after November 5, 2024, must be both visually and electronically readable (RFID).

Visual-only identification devices placed in cattle and bison after November 5, 2024, are not considered official. Visual-only devices placed before this date in cattle and bison may be used as official identification per 9 CFR Part 86. In practical terms, if you tagged a cow with a metal clip tag before that date, that tag remains valid for the life of the animal. If you are tagging cattle today, the tag must be electronically readable.

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. Cattle and bison of any age used for rodeo or recreational events, and cattle and bison of any age used for shows or exhibitions, will require electronic tags. Cattle and bison are exempted from official identification requirements if they are going directly to slaughter.

Pro Tip: APHIS is offering no-cost radio frequency identification (RFID) eartags to eligible swine producers. Arkansas cattle producers should contact the Arkansas Department of Agriculture to ask about no-cost 840 RFID tag availability under the federal cost-sharing program before purchasing tags out of pocket.

The mandate has been controversial. APHIS explains that “the most significant benefits will be enhanced ability to limit disease outbreak impact in the U.S., as well as maintaining foreign markets.” Critics argue the rule disproportionately burdens smaller operations. Regardless of where you stand on the policy debate, compliance is required for interstate movement as of November 5, 2024.

Producers in neighboring states face the same federal baseline. You can compare how the mandate affects movement into Arkansas from states like Oklahoma, Kentucky, and North Carolina.

Which Livestock Can Use a Microchip as Official Identification in Arkansas

Not every species on an Arkansas farm can use an injectable microchip as its primary official ID device. Federal approval is species-specific, and using the wrong device type for a given species does not satisfy the official ID requirement.

The species for which injectable 840 RFID transponders are federally approved as official identification include equine, sheep, goats, deer, and elk. The 840-ID Official Microchip can be used in all equines, goats, sheep, alpaca, llama, elk, whitetail and other deer. It can also be used in zoo animals requiring an Interstate Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (ICVI) or for other reasons.

Horses (Equus caballus) are the most common species for which injectable microchips serve as the standard official ID in practice. Because ear tags are impractical for horses, the injectable transponder is the preferred and widely accepted device. Goats (Capra hircus) and sheep (Ovis aries) may use injectable microchips as official ID, though they are also subject to the National Scrapie Eradication Program, which imposes additional tagging requirements described in a later section.

Cattle (Bos taurus and Bos indicus) and bison (Bison bison) are not eligible for injectable microchips as their primary official ID device under the federal ADT program. Their official ID must be an approved 840 RFID ear tag. Do NOT use cattle RFID tags on small ruminants. These animals have their own RFID tags. The reverse is equally true: small ruminant microchips should not be substituted for cattle ear tags.

Species	Injectable Microchip Approved as Official ID?	Primary Alternative Official ID
Cattle & Bison	No	840 RFID ear tag (required after Nov. 5, 2024)
Horses & Equine	Yes (840 AIN transponder)	Brand or tattoo (if accepted by sending/receiving states)
Sheep	Yes (840 AIN transponder)	Official scrapie ear tag or registry tattoo
Goats	Yes (840 AIN transponder)	Official scrapie ear tag
Deer & Elk (captive)	Yes (840 AIN transponder)	RFID ear tag
Swine	No (for ADT purposes)	PIN ear tag or group/lot ID

If you raise goats in Arkansas, the goat ownership laws in Arkansas page covers broader ownership and fencing requirements that interact with the identification rules discussed here.

When a Microchip Qualifies for Interstate Movement in Arkansas

Having an approved microchip implanted in your animal is necessary but not sufficient on its own for interstate movement. Several additional conditions must be satisfied before that chip counts as official ID at a state line.

First, the chip must carry a valid 840 AIN. 900 manufacturer-coded injectable transponders are approved official identification for equine only. If you have an older 900-series chip in a horse, it may still serve as official ID for that species, but 840 AIN chips are the current standard for all approved species. Currently, the only EID technology approved by APHIS is an 840 tag. 900 series tags do not fulfill the requirements of this rule, because they are not approved as an official means of ID for cattle and bison interstate movement.

Second, the animal must be accompanied by the correct paperwork. 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. For horses, goats, and sheep, an ICVI is typically required as well, and the official ID number from the microchip must appear on that certificate.

A premises identification number (PIN) or location identifier (LID) is a unique code permanently assigned to a physical location and is required to purchase official animal identification tags. Without a valid PIN registered to your Arkansas operation, you cannot legally order or apply 840 AIN microchips to your animals. This is a prerequisite step, not an afterthought.

Certain movement exemptions exist. Cattle and bison may be moved interstate without official identification if they are moved directly to a recognized slaughtering establishment or directly to no more than one approved livestock facility and then directly to a recognized slaughtering establishment. These exemptions do not apply to horses, goats, or sheep moving for breeding or exhibition purposes.

For context on how neighboring states handle incoming Arkansas livestock, see the guides for Colorado, South Carolina, and Florida.

Approved Microchip Standards and Placement by Species in Arkansas

Not every injectable RFID chip qualifies as official ID. USDA-APHIS sets specific technical standards that a microchip must meet before it can carry an official 840 AIN, and placement protocols vary by species.

The microchip is about the size of a grain of rice and contains a passive transponder programmed with a unique 15-digit number, compliant with ISO standards 11784/11785 with a frequency of 134.2 kHz. Low-frequency (LF) devices must conform to those ISO standards. For low-frequency EID ear tags, complete Procedure 5 of Section 10 of ICAR Guidelines — Testing of External RFID devices. Equivalent testing may be considered for the materials testing portion of Procedure 5, but all low-frequency EID ear tags must conform with ISO standards 11784/11785. The same ISO conformance requirement applies to injectable transponders.

For horses, the standard injection site is the nuchal ligament of the neck — specifically the left side of the neck at the midpoint, which is the site recommended by the American Association of Equine Practitioners and recognized by most receiving states. RFID tags are recommended to be placed in the left ear for cattle; for equine microchips, the neck is the standard site rather than the ear.

For sheep and goats, injectable microchips may be placed in the ear, the tail web, or the muscle of the neck depending on the device and the producer’s preference, though you should confirm the preferred site with your accredited veterinarian before implanting. The AVMA’s policy states that “implantation of microchips is a veterinary procedure that should be performed by a licensed veterinarian or under supervision of a licensed veterinarian.” In Arkansas, following AVMA guidance and working with your accredited vet is the safest approach to ensure the implant is performed correctly and recorded properly.

Pro Tip: Always scan the implant site immediately after injection to confirm the chip is reading correctly before the animal leaves your facility. A chip that migrated or failed to encode properly will not satisfy the official ID requirement at a state line, even if the paperwork shows a valid AIN.

APHIS maintains a list of approved injectable transponder manufacturers. The 840 ID Mini-microchip injectable transponder (FDX) carries AIN 0081 and is approved for equine, deer/elk, sheep, and goat. Other approved manufacturers include AVID Identification Systems and Datamars. Verify that any chip you purchase appears on the current APHIS approved device list before implanting it as official ID.

Registering a Livestock Microchip in Arkansas

Registration for official livestock microchips in Arkansas works on two levels: you must first register your premises with the state, and then you must ensure the individual chip’s AIN is recorded in the appropriate federal database after implantation.

Step 1 — Obtain a Premises Identification Number (PIN). A premises identification number (PIN) or location identifier (LID) is a unique code permanently assigned to a physical location and is required to purchase official animal identification tags. Each state administers PIN or LID registration. In Arkansas, contact the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Livestock and Poultry division to register your premises. To obtain a premises ID (PIN), contact the state animal health authority (Animal Disease Traceability Administrator) for your state.

Step 2 — Obtain a Flock or Scrapie ID (sheep and goats only). Goats and sheep must have both a Premises ID Number and a Flock (Scrapie) ID Number. To request official sheep and goat tags, a flock or premises ID, or both, call 1-866-USDA-Tag (866-873-2824). A national premises ID is also required to purchase official 840 RFID tags or implantable devices. You cannot order 840 microchips for your sheep or goats until both numbers are verified.

Step 3 — Order chips from an approved manufacturer. The Animal Identification Management System (AIMS) is a web-based program used to administer official animal identification numbers and devices. All distribution records for the Animal Identification Numbers (AINs) devices are maintained on AIMS. When a manufacturer ships 840 AIN chips, those numbers are logged to your PIN in AIMS. Keep a record of which AIN was assigned to which animal at the time of implantation.

Step 4 — Record the implantation. After your accredited veterinarian implants the chip, the AIN and the animal’s information must be linked in your farm records and, where required, reported to the Arkansas state animal health authority. For horses moved interstate, the AIN appears on the ICVI issued by your vet. For sheep and goats, the AIN is linked to your scrapie flock ID in the National Scrapie Database.

The scrapie flock ID number must be recorded in and linked to one or more PINs or LIDs in the National Scrapie Database to obtain 840 tags or microchips. Missing this linkage is a common mistake that blocks producers from ordering chips even after they have a valid PIN.

If you raise backyard poultry alongside your livestock operation, the backyard chicken laws in Arkansas page covers the separate identification and permitting framework that applies to poultry, which operates outside the ADT livestock microchip system.

Microchipping as Proof of Ownership in Arkansas

A microchip’s role in proving ownership of livestock in Arkansas is practical rather than legally absolute. No Arkansas statute designates a microchip as conclusive proof of ownership the way a recorded brand or bill of sale might be, but a chip that links an animal to a registered premises and a specific owner record carries significant evidentiary weight in a dispute.

The key is that the chip’s AIN must trace back to your PIN in a verifiable database. The unique identification code stored in the RFID chip enables traceability throughout the animal’s lifecycle, from birth to slaughter. RFID tags facilitate the collection, storage, and transmission of data regarding individual animals’ movements, health status, and ownership history. When law enforcement or a state veterinarian scans a microchipped animal, the AIN can be queried against AIMS or the National Scrapie Database to identify the registered owner of record.

For horses, this is especially valuable. Because equine brands are not universally required in Arkansas, a microchip linked to a premises registration and accompanied by a Coggins test and ICVI forms a strong chain of ownership documentation. If a horse is stolen and later recovered, a readable 840 AIN microchip tied to your PIN is among the strongest pieces of evidence you can present.

For goats and sheep, the combination of a scrapie ear tag and an injectable microchip provides redundant identification. Permanent, unalterable identification of animals can be a challenge. An injectable microchip addresses that challenge directly — unlike an ear tag, it cannot fall out, be cut off, or fade. Courts and animal control officers in Arkansas treat a readable chip tied to a registered owner as strong corroborating evidence of ownership, though you should always maintain bills of sale, registration papers, and veterinary records alongside the chip documentation.

Important Note: A microchip alone does not substitute for a bill of sale or other transfer documentation when you sell an animal. Update your premises records and notify the relevant database (AIMS or the National Scrapie Database) whenever ownership of a microchipped animal changes hands, so the AIN traces to the correct current owner.

Livestock identification intersects with broader animal law in Arkansas in ways that matter to producers. The rooster laws in Arkansas and beekeeping laws in Arkansas pages cover related animal ownership frameworks. For producers with working dogs on the farm, dog leash laws in Arkansas and leash laws in Arkansas are also worth reviewing.

Staying current with your premises registration, ordering chips only from APHIS-approved manufacturers, and keeping clean implantation records gives you the strongest possible foundation — both for regulatory compliance and for protecting your investment if an animal is ever lost, stolen, or disputed.