Swine Ear Notching Laws in Louisiana: What Every Pig Owner Needs to Know
August 15, 2026
If you raise pigs in Louisiana — whether for breeding, exhibition, or commercial production — understanding swine ear notching laws is one of the most practical things you can do for your operation. Ear notching is a permanent, low-cost identification method that has been used in the swine industry for generations, but its legal standing depends entirely on what kind of animal you have and how you plan to move it.
Louisiana’s rules on swine identification sit at the intersection of state administrative code and federal USDA requirements, and the two do not always work the same way. Knowing which system applies to your pigs — and when ear notches alone are legally sufficient — can save you from costly compliance problems at the sale barn, the state line, or the show ring.
What Is Swine Ear Notching and When It Is Used in Louisiana
Ear notching is the practice of cutting small V-shaped notches into specific positions on a pig’s ears to create a permanent, readable identification number. It is widely used in the swine industry as a system of animal identification, with all variations identifying a pig by litter number and individual pig number. No tag can fall out, no tattoo can fade from sun and mud, and no electronic reader is required — the information is physically encoded in the animal itself.
In Louisiana, ear notching is used across several contexts: small farrow-to-finish operations, purebred breeding programs, 4-H and FFA livestock shows, and commercial herd management. It provides a permanent ID system and an inexpensive means of identification that enables producers to keep an accurate set of records. That said, the method is not universally accepted as “official” identification under Louisiana or federal law — its legal status depends on whether the notches have been registered with a recognized breed registry.
The best time to notch piglets is at birth or within the first few days of life. If pigs are notched at one to three days of age, the task is much easier. If you allow pigs to become large — around 100 pounds — the task becomes considerably more demanding mentally and physically. Most Louisiana producers who use this system apply notches during the same handling session when they dock tails and clip needle teeth.
Pro Tip: Always disinfect your V-notcher between litters and dip it in fresh alcohol each day you work. Clean equipment reduces the risk of spreading disease between piglets and helps notches heal cleanly.
When Ear Notching Qualifies as Official Identification in Louisiana
Under Louisiana Administrative Code Title 7, Part XXI, Chapter 5, ear notching has a defined but limited role as official identification. Each animal must be individually identified to herd of origin by ear tag or tattoo unless prohibited by federal regulations, but ear notch identification will be accepted in lieu of tag or tattoo on registered, purebred animals. This is the core rule you need to understand: ear notches are a recognized substitute for tags or tattoos, but only for registered purebreds.
The same standard applies to swine entering Louisiana from out of state. All swine consigned to Louisiana for feeding or breeding purposes or for exhibition must be permanently identified to the herd of origin by ear tag or tattoo (unless prohibited by federal regulation), and ear notch identification will be accepted in lieu of tag or tattoo on registered, purebred animals.
For commercial hogs — feeder pigs, market hogs, and non-registered breeding stock — ear notches do not satisfy the official identification requirement on their own. Those animals need a physical ear tag or tattoo. Other identification types, such as brands, unregistered notches or tattoos, or farm and ranch tags are not considered official identification for the purpose of interstate movement. If you are moving commercial pigs across the Louisiana state line, an approved ear tag bearing your Premises Identification Number is the correct form of ID.
You can learn more about how Louisiana’s broader livestock movement rules intersect with identification requirements in this guide to transporting livestock laws in Louisiana.
How the 1-3-9 Ear Notching System Works
The system used by purebred swine associations across the United States — and accepted under Louisiana law — is commonly called the 1-3-9 system. The most common notching system is the 1-3-9 system. It uses a positional, additive code where the number of notches and their location on each ear combine to create a unique identity for every pig in a herd.
The two ears serve different functions. The right ear is used for the litter mark, and all pigs in the same litter must have the same notches in this ear. The right ear is on the pig’s own right. The litter mark ear is divided into five sections, and each section has a numerical value, either 1, 3, 9, 27, or 81. Each section, except for 81, can have one or two notches only.
The left ear carries the individual pig’s number within that litter. The left ear is used for notches to show an individual pig’s number in the litter. Each pig will have different notches in the left ear. The left ear is divided into three sections, with values of 1, 3, and 9. You add the values of all notches in each ear to read the full identity.
Here is a quick example of how the math works in practice:
- Right ear (litter number): A notch at the 9-position and a notch at the 3-position = litter number 12
- Left ear (individual pig number): A single notch at the 3-position = pig number 3
- Full identity: Pig 12-3 (litter 12, pig 3)
In zones 1, 3, 9, and 27, there can only be two notches; if there are two notches in all four zones, that represents litter 80. A notch in zone 81 basically doubles the system. This means the right ear alone can represent litter numbers well into the 160s, giving large operations plenty of room to grow without repeating numbers.
One of the most common mistakes beginners make is reading the ears from the wrong direction. The reference to left and right ear refers to the pig’s left or right ear as viewed from the rear of the pig — not the viewer’s left or right when the pig is facing them. A practical shortcut: always face the pig head-on, and read left-to-right as litter number then pig number.
Pro Tip: Avoid making notches too shallow, as they may become hard to read or possibly heal shut. Leave at least one-quarter inch between notches, and avoid making notches too close to the head.
For proper technique, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension guide on ear notching pigs and the New Mexico State University swine identification guide both offer detailed diagrams of notch positions and worked examples.
Ear Notching for Purebred Registry Compliance in Louisiana
If you raise registered purebred pigs in Louisiana, ear notching is not just a management tool — it is a registry requirement. When using the system required by the purebred swine associations of the United States, the litter number is notched in the pig’s right ear and the individual pig number is notched in the pig’s left ear. The notches from the right and left ear should combine to give each pig a unique identification number.
The key legal requirement is registration. Ear notching qualifies as official identification only if the ear notching has been recorded in the book of record of a purebred registry association. Without that registration record, the notches are simply a farm management tool — they carry no official standing for movement or health certificates under Louisiana or federal rules.
Major breed registries that use this system include the National Swine Registry (which covers Duroc, Hampshire, Yorkshire, and Landrace breeds) and Certified Pedigreed Swine. Each registry maintains its own book of record, and your notch pattern must be logged there for the identification to count legally.
For Louisiana producers showing registered pigs at state fairs or breed shows, the health certificate accompanying those animals must reflect the ear notch as the recorded identification method. The notch pattern replaces the need for a physical tag or tattoo on those specific animals — but the paperwork trail to the registry is what gives it legal force.
| Animal Type | Ear Notch Accepted as Official ID? | Condition Required |
|---|---|---|
| Registered purebred swine | Yes | Notch recorded in breed registry book of record |
| Commercial feeder pigs | No | Ear tag or tattoo with Premises ID required |
| Breeding swine (non-registered) | No | Ear tag or tattoo with Premises ID required |
| Exhibition swine (purebred, registered) | Yes | Notch recorded in registry; must appear on health certificate |
| Slaughter swine | No | Ear tag or tattoo bearing Premises ID required |
Ear Notching vs. Ear Tags, Tattoos, and RFID in Louisiana
Louisiana producers have several identification options available, and the right choice depends on the class of animal, the purpose of movement, and whether you are working within a purebred registry program. Each method has practical trade-offs worth understanding before you commit to one system.
Ear Tags are the most commonly required form of official ID for commercial swine in Louisiana. USDA 840 tags are the most common form of official ID tag. They have a unique 15-digit number beginning with 840, which is the United States country code. These tags are tamper-resistant and bear the U.S. shield. To obtain 840 tags in Louisiana, you need a Premises Identification Number (PIN) from the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF). To purchase 840 tags, you must have a Premises ID number assigned. You can contact LDAF’s Office of Veterinary Health at vetreports@ldaf.state.la.us or 225-925-3980 to get started.
RFID Tags are an electronic form of the 840 tag system. Electronic Identification tags, also known as Radio Frequency Identification ear tags (RFID ear tags), can be utilized to store and track information through a database using a readable scanner. This provides more options for record keeping on performance records for producers. As of December 2025, 840 RFID tags are available to order at no cost as part of a national effort to strengthen swine disease traceability. APHIS is also running a separate no-cost RFID tag program: APHIS is offering no-cost radio frequency identification (RFID) eartags to eligible swine producers, and this program will enhance the speed and accuracy of disease response efforts across the swine industry.
Tattoos are a permanent alternative to ear tags for certain situations. Tattoos on the ear or inner flank of any swine qualify as official identification if the tattoos have been recorded in the book of record of a swine registry association. For slaughter and feeder swine, an eartag or tattoo bearing the Premises Identification Number assigned by the State Animal Health Official to the premises on which the swine originated satisfies the official ID requirement.
Ear Notching remains the preferred system within purebred registry programs and is widely used in 4-H and FFA show contexts. Its advantage over tags is permanence — a notch cannot be lost or removed. Its limitation is legal scope: without registry documentation, it carries no official weight for interstate movement or health certification in Louisiana.
Important Note: The USDA’s 2024 Animal Disease Traceability rule update mandated electronic identification for cattle and bison moving interstate, but the traceability rule does not change the current requirements for the identification and movement of swine interstate. Swine ID rules remain governed by existing regulations under Title 9, Part 71.19 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
If you also manage other livestock on your Louisiana property, the goat ownership laws in Louisiana page covers identification requirements for small ruminants, which follow a separate scrapie-tag-based system.
State-Specific Swine Identification Rules That Affect Ear Notching in Louisiana
Louisiana’s swine identification requirements are administered by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF), and they apply in several distinct situations: intrastate movement, interstate entry, exhibition, and slaughter. Understanding which scenario applies to your pigs determines which identification method you must use.
Interstate Entry into Louisiana: Any swine entering Louisiana must comply with the health and identification requirements under Louisiana Administrative Code Title 7, Part XXI. All swine moving into Louisiana must originate from herds not known to be infected with pseudorabies. A permit is required for all swine entering the state for breeding or feeding purposes. The permit number is valid for 15 days and must be recorded on the health certificate.
All breeding swine entering the state on a permit will be quarantined at destination, to be retested in 30 to 60 days at the owner’s expense. Identification — whether ear tag, tattoo, or registered ear notch — must be recorded on the accompanying health certificate for every animal.
Brucellosis Requirements: In addition to the general requirements and the swine requirements of the section, all swine for breeding purposes must show an official, negative test for Brucellosis. This testing requirement applies regardless of which identification method you use — ear notching does not exempt an animal from disease testing obligations.
Premises Identification Numbers: Louisiana producers who move swine commercially or participate in federally regulated disease programs need a PIN from LDAF. LDAF creates a Premises ID Number (PIN) and enters the tagging information into AIMS. Ear tag distribution is tied to PIN and these records are maintained on the USDA SPIS. Getting your PIN is free and straightforward — contact LDAF’s Veterinary Health Division directly.
Exhibition Swine: For pigs shown at Louisiana fairs, breed shows, and 4-H or FFA events, the identification requirement follows the general rule: registered purebreds with documented ear notches satisfy official ID, while non-registered show pigs need an approved ear tag. Due to a continued emphasis on livestock traceability within state and federal agencies and the livestock industry, the National Swine Registry requires all animals being exhibited at NSR or National Junior Swine Association events to be identified with an official, permanently-numbered ear tag. Always verify the specific ID requirements with the show manager before arriving, since individual events may have stricter rules than the state minimum.
Slaughter Swine: All eligible swine moving into Louisiana for slaughter purposes must be consigned to a specifically approved slaughter establishment maintaining state or federal meat inspection or a livestock auction market specifically approved to handle slaughter hogs from out of state. Ear notching alone does not satisfy the identification requirement for animals in slaughter channels — a Premises ID ear tag or tattoo is required.
Louisiana animal law covers a wide range of livestock and pet situations beyond swine. For related reading, see the guides on pet import laws in Louisiana, beekeeping laws in Louisiana, and backyard chicken laws in Louisiana for other species-specific compliance requirements.
For the authoritative source on federal swine identification rules, the USDA APHIS NVAP Reference Guide on Swine Identification and the APHIS Guide to Identifying Swine for Interstate Movement are the most current official references available. For Louisiana-specific premises ID and tag distribution, contact LDAF’s Office of Veterinary Health directly.
Ear notching remains a practical and legally recognized tool for Louisiana swine producers — but only within its proper scope. Use it for registered purebreds with full registry documentation, pair it with the correct ear tags for commercial and slaughter animals, and keep your Premises ID current with LDAF. Those three steps cover the vast majority of compliance situations you will encounter raising pigs in Louisiana.