Correct Identification, Tattoos & RFID Eartags

One of the simplest ways to enhance the value of your herd is to keep accurate identification, health, reproduction and production records.

 

Tattoo Your Animals

Tattoos are easy to read in the ears of Brown Swiss cattle and do not get lost like traditional dangle or button tags. The Application for Registry requires breeders to provide the animal's tattoo or eartag number and which ear it is in. If an animal loses her eartag, the tattoo number can easily be matched with the one on her registration paper and there won't be a need for a DNA test. However, if she has no tattoo, the seller of the calf pays for the parentage verification. 

 

USA RFID Tags

The Brown Swiss Association prefers to register animals using its own series of registration numbers. However, breeders may choose to register their animals using RFID USA (840) series tags. If these tags are used, the animal must be double tagged, with both a button tag and a dangle tag displaying the number. These are either Radio Frequency ID tags or official Animal Identification Number (AIN) tags. When registering an animal identified with RFID tags be sure to use the entire 840 number. 
 

COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

Do we have to tattoo the animals?

 

The Brown Swiss Association strongly recommends a tattoo be the permanent I.D. of the animal; however, it is not required with the use of double official AIN eartags. 

 

However, if all forms of Permanent ID have been lost, parentage needs to be proven through parentage testing at the expense of the owner. 
If this cannot be validated, the animal will revert to an ID (identified, but not registered).

 

Does the Brown Swiss Association provide me with a tattoo for the animal?

No, the Brown Swiss Association does not give out parameters for tattoos, it is up to the breeder to decide and to provide at time of registration.

Can we use 840 tags and fair tags for Registration numbers?

Yes, but this must be indicated on the application for registration or entered in the registration number space at the bottom of the on-line database registration page. The entire number needs to be entered and in the country code drop-down box, when either submitting a registration or ordering a pedigree, United States 840 needs to be selected.  If the tags are lost and a new number is issued, the registration number will not change to the new number. You should notify us of the new RFID tag number if replaced.  The Association recommends using the regular registration number sequencing.

Can 840 tags and fair tags count as tattoos?

Yes, double official AIN eartags can count as ID; however, the Brown Swiss Association still recommends animals also be tattooed.

Can we change the Registration number of our animals to the 840 tag number?

No, it is BSCBA policy not to change registration numbers once they are provided. The 840 tags must be linked to the vet information for show purposes, it will not affect the registration number already given. Also, since the registration number needs to correspond to ID number on cow’s test sheets, if an RFID tag is given to the animal after she already has a registration number, DO NOT change your animal’s ID on the test sheet to the RFID number. It needs to be the REGISTRATION number for her records to be received and reported in the Bulletin and for awards. The animal's tag number can be added to her registration record.  Please add it to the correct field when registering online or note it on the registration application.  

Can we cut out the tags in the ears?

No, 840 tags must never be cut out of the ears. It is a USDA requirement that the animals have them for health tracking purposes.

Where do I get a Premise ID?

Premise ID's are obtained from your State Department of Agriculture. Before RFID tags may be ordered, a Herd Premise ID is required. 

 

My cow has RFID tags, but lost either the button or dangle tag, can I order another number or tag for the animal, do I need to?

If your animal has lost one of its tags, but still has either the button or dangle tag remaining, no you do not need to request a new eartag or number for the animal. If both tags are lost, new tags for that animal will need to be ordered and a new RFID number will be issued, duplicate tags are not issued as this is a unique ID system. In the event an animal loses its ear tag and receives a new RFID number, the Registration number will remain the old RFID number and the animal will be identified with its TATTOO number.

Where do I order 840 RFID tags & which ones work for Expo?

You can find a link for ordering eartags on our website www.brownswissusa.com. The link looks like an ear tag;  click on it to go to the website to order the tags or you can go directly to EarTagCentral.com. The options that work for Expo are option 4 and option 5. For questions regarding ordering of lost tags, please contact the tag distributor: 608-848-6455 (Ask for Leslie).