Cattle Identification
Below is information regarding identification requirements for cattle under the USDA Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) program. The latest changes are effective November 5, 2024.
The ADT program defines official animal identification and sets the recording requirements for the interstate movement of animals. Animals which would otherwise require identification may go directly to an approved tagging site without having any identification present. They may also go directly to an approved slaughter facility, to be slaughtered within 3 days, with a USDA-approved backtag in lieu of other identification.
The following groups of cattle are required to display individual, official identification when being recorded on any federal form or moving interstate:
- All dairy and dairy/beef cross cattle, of any age
- All cattle moving interstate for shows or rodeos
- All intact beef cattle 18 months of age or older
These animals must always have individual, official identification listed on their Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI).
Official Identification Methods
- 840-RFID Tag:
- USDA Orange (vaccination) Tag – if placed before 11/5/2024:
- USDA Silver Tag – if placed before 11/5/2024:
Image from USDA
These are the only identification methods considered official. Other identification types, such as trichomoniasis testing tags, freeze brands, registration tattoos, farm/ranch tags or RFIDs using numbers beginning with anything other than 840 are not considered official identification.
- All animals on the CVI still must display individual, official identification.
- All animals on the CVI must have a common brand, registered with the state brand authority.
- The common brand must be drawn on the CVI.
- The CVI must have the following statement: “All animals on this CVI have individual, official identification.”
If you have questions regarding brand inspections for animals entering Idaho, contact the Idaho Brand Board at
(208) 884-7070.
