Sheep and Goat Identification
The National Scrapie Eradication Program is providing 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.
APHIS is working with sheep and goat organizations to encourage the use of electronic identification to improve our Nation’s ability to quickly trace exposed and diseased animals in the event of an outbreak.
We discontinued the availability of no-cost metal tags for producers on August 31, 2019. Dealers and markets may continue to receive metal serial tags at no cost until the available funds are expended. Flock ID tag numbers are the producer’s flock ID assigned by APHIS or the State followed by an individual animal number. Metal serial tag numbers have the State postal abbreviation, two letters followed by four numbers. Plastic serial tags have the State postal abbreviation, a letter and a number in either order, followed by four numbers.
Resources
Using the Telephone Tree
- When prompted, you will either key in or say the numbers on their telephone keypad corresponding to the two-letter postal abbreviation of the State or Territory where the flock or herd about which you are calling is located. For example, if you're calling about your flock or herd in Texas, you will key in or say “8, 9” to indicate “T, X.” If you're calling about your flock or herd in California, you will key in or say “2, 2” to indicate “C, A.”
- Once the proper State is identified, you will be asked to key in or say “1” to confirm that it is the correct State. If you inadvertently identified the wrong State, you can key in or say “2” to return to the main menu to identify the correct State. If more than one State is represented by the number combination (for example, both Utah and Vermont are represented by “8, 8” for “U, T” and “V, T” respectively), then you will be asked to select the correct State from the list of options.
- You will then be routed directly to the correct person to help you.
If you don’t know the postal abbreviation or have difficulty with the tree, you will be routed to a voicemail box where you can leave a message with your name, phone number, and the State or Territory where your sheep or goats are located. These inquiries will be forwarded to the correct State or APHIS Veterinary Services office within 2 business days. Note: Using this message feature will add significantly to the time required to obtain an answer to your questions because your message must be manually routed to the correct office.
Please provide any feedback about the routing system to scrapie@usda.gov.
By Phone
To request official sheep and goat tags, a flock or premises ID, or both, call 1-866-USDA-Tag (866-873-2824).
1-866-USDA-TAG has a telephone tree that will gather information to route you to the correct APHIS Veterinary Services (VS) or State office to answer your questions about sheep and goat identification. Learn more about using the telephone tree.
Directly From Approved Tag Manufacturers
Producers and others who handle sheep or goats in commerce who need additional tags or want a different type or color of tag may purchase official plastic, metal, or radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags directly from approved tag manufacturers. A flock or premises ID is required to order tags from these sources. A national premises ID is also required to purchase official 840 RFID tags or implantable devices.
For those who use the APHIS-provided tags, please note that you will need to purchase a compatible applicator.
- Plastic Shearwell tags require the V6 Sheep SET Tag Applicator. Order the applicator by calling 1-800-778-6014 or by completing this order form: Shearwell Data Ltd Sheep Tag Applicator Order Form
- Metal National Band and Tag official identification devices require the 505S applicator. This applicator is available for purchase from the National Band and Tag Company at 859-261-2035.
The companies listed below are approved. These eartags and devices are approved for the official identification of sheep and goats in interstate commerce. There are restrictions on the use of implantable devices; refer to page 55 of the National Scrapie Eradication Program Standards.
SFCP tags may only be purchased by owners of flocks participating in the Scrapie-Free Flock Certification Program. Regular program tags may be purchased by any producer who has a flock or premises ID.
Approved Companies
Use the dropdown menu to look up approved companies by tag type.
| Title | Type | Description | Other Versions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Animal ID and Recordkeeping for Sheep and Goats (PDF) | Factsheet | Overview of Federal regulations for animal identification and recordkeeping | Not applicable |
| Example Owner/Hauler Statement for Sheep and Goats (PDF) | Form/Template | Required documentation for sheep and goats moving through interstate commerce | Afrikaans Arabic Portuguese Spanish Turkish |
| Attention Sheep and Goat Owners! (PDF) | Poster | Summarizes key information about identification requirements and how to obtain scrapie tags | Afrikaans Arabic Farsi Portuguese Spanish Turkish |
| Federal Sheep and Goat Official Identification Decision Tree for Animals in Interstate Commerce (PDF) | Decision Tree | Supplemental visual to help animal owners and others understand the Federal regulations for sheep and goat identification | Afrikaans Arabic Farsi Portuguese Spanish Turkish |
| Finish the Fight Against Scrapie (PDF) | Flyer | Outreach handout for slaughter facilities and producers about submitting scrapie samples | Arabic Chinese Farsi Hindi Portuguese Turkish Vietnamese |
| National Scrapie Eradication Program (NSEP) and the Importance of Sheep and Goat Traceability (YouTube) | Video | Summarizes the history of the NSEP and the Federal requirements | Not applicable |
| National Scrapie Eradication Program Standards (PDF) | Final Rule | Cooperative procedures and standards adopted by APHIS and consistent States for eradicating classical scrapie from the United States | Not applicable |
| Sheep & Goat Official ID Basics (PDF) | Flowchart | Supplemental chart to help animal owners and others understand the Federal regulations for sheep and goat identification | Not applicable |
| What's New in Goat ID? (PDF) | Flyer | Outreach handout from the National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) that helps goat owners and others understand the Federal regulations | Low resolution for email |
| What's New in Sheep ID? (PDF) | Flyer | Outreach handout from the NIAA that helps sheep owners and others understand the Federal regulations | Low resolution for email |
| Scrapie Final Rule & Revised NSEP Standards: Key Things Market Operators Need To Know (Powerpoint) | Presentation | Powerpoint presentation that gives key points to livestock market owners and producers on Federal requirements | |
| Sheep and Goat Identification Requirements (Powerpoint) | Presentation | Powerpoint presentation from the NIAA that gives details about the Federal rule for sheep and goat identification |