Help your herd with RFID tags

Free RFID tags available to Idaho producers

Information courtesy of the Idaho State Department of Agriculture

The Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) has received a limited number of no-cost Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) ear tags to distribute to Idaho-accredited veterinarians and to cattle and bison producers for use in replacement breeding cattle. The tags are offered as an alternative to the official calfhood vaccination (OCV) tags, which are orange, and the metal “brite” tags, which are silver.

ISDA is encouraging veterinarians and producers to order RFID tags while they are still available free of charge. ISDA’s allotment, which includes white and orange RFID tags, is available for order immediately.

Producers may order white RFIDs for their breeding herd by completing the RFID tag order form. Orange RFID vaccination tags are available to accredited veterinarians only. Producers who wish to transition to electronic identification should notify their herd veterinarian prior to vaccinating/testing their herd. RFID READER RENTAL PROGRAM

ISDA has developed a reader rental program that allows producers to utilize RFID technology without the added expense of purchasing an RFID wand. ISDA has several Tru-Test EID stick readers available that connect easily (via Bluetooth) to Apple and Android smartphones. The readers allow herd owners and managers to rapidly view individual animal data, capture management information and upload data to a smartphone, tablet or computer.

ICA ARCHIVE

Orange 840 RFID tags may be used only to identify female OCV cattle and must be applied by an accredited vet. White or yellow 840 RFID tags may be used to identify beef or dairy cattle of either sex.

TAG IMAGES PROVIDED BY THE ISDA

LEARN MORE

Scan these QR codes with your phone to find these forms:

RFID tag order form RFID reader request form

There is no cost associated with this program. To request an EID reader, complete the request form or contact the Division of Animal Industries.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Should 840 tags be applied in the left or right ear? Whenev-

er possible, the tag should be placed in the animal’s left ear. If the tag is applied in the right ear, care should be taken to avoid the brucellosis tattoo in females. Vaccination tattoos are found in the middle section of the right ear.

If an animal already has an 840 tag in place, should my veterinarian apply an orange 840

tag? If an animal already has an 840 tag in place, your veterinarian cannot apply an orange 840 tag. This is common with dairy animals that receive white 840 tags at birth. The veterinarian must record the white 840 tag at the time of vaccination.

If an animal has a metal tag in place, can I apply an 840

RFID tag? If an animal has an official orange or silver metal tag, do not apply an 840 RFID.

Will I need to purchase a tag applicator to apply 840 RFID

tags? Yes. A tag applicator that is compatible with the manufacturer’s tag will need to be purchased. If the applicator is not compatible, it may destroy the tamper-proof tag and/or compromise tag retention.

Questions/concerns? Contact

the Division of Animal Industries at 208-332-8540 or send an email at Animal.Information@isda.idaho.gov.

CONNECT WITH ICA Have a story to share? An idea for a profile? A suggestion for magazine staff? Contact Morgan Lutgen at morgan@idahocattle.org.

Let us be your source for bulls that Target the Brand. Join us Monday March 14th, 2022 at the ranch in Bliss, Idaho for our Annual Spring Cove Ranch Angus Bull and Female Sale. Selling 170 yrlg & Fall yrlg Bulls and 80 Heifers.

20 sons of Sitz Accomplishment 720F sell

CED+9 BW+.7 WW+75 YW+131 SC+1.27 Milk+21 CW+56 Marb+.92 Rib+.49 $M+83 $C+288

25 sons & grandsons of Southern Charm AA31 sell CED+4 BW+3.2 WW+69 YW+116 SC+2.05 Milk+29 CW+47 Marb+.98 Rib+.87 $M+62 $C+270 20 sons of Sitz Resilient 10208 sell

CED+8 BW+.4 WW+80 YW+139 SC+1.05 Milk+26 CW+63 Marb+.68 Rib+.93 $M+94 $C+309 15 sons of Musgrave 316 Exclusive sell

CED+8 BW+.5 WW+70 YW+124 SC+1.15 Milk+23 CW+58 Marb+.94 Rib+.72 $M+84 $C+306

10 sons of S S Enforcer E812 sell

CED+9 BW+1.0 WW+88 YW+166 SC+1.58 Milk+30 CW+72 Marb+1.03 Rib+1.01 $M+87 $C+349 15 sons of Sydgen Enhance sell

CED+8 BW+.4 WW+70 YW+138 SC+1.38 Milk+31 CW+63 Marb+1.18 Rib+.81 $M+71 $C+323

For sale books call or text : 208-320-8803 www.springcoveranch.com Find us on Facebook The Pioneer Herd of the West

Spring Cove Ranch

Angus since 1919 269 Spring Cove Rd Bliss, Idaho 83314

For more information call:

Art Butler: 208-280-1026 Stacy Butler: 208-320-8803 Josh Mavencamp: 208-358-0057 Sarah Helmick: 208-490-0741 Randy Lancaster, Triple L: 208-731-1947