Goat Ear Tags and Other Types of Goat ID
Is goat identification required by law?
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Many goat ear tags say, “UNLAWFUL TO REMOVE,” yet people remove them. Is it really against the law to remove an ear tag? Yes, in fact, it is. In most cases, goat identification, whether by tattoo or ear tag, is required by state and federal law, and for good reason.
There are times when removal of goat ear tags is the only way to manage the health or safety of the animal if the ear tears or becomes infected, but if the tag is removed, the identification information must be kept with the goat’s record, and a new tag must be applied.
Why Are Ear Tags Required?
The official goat ear tags are for disease traceability by the National Scrapie Eradication Program (NSEP). They’re key in the efforts of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to eliminate scrapie. Scrapie is a health and economic risk for the United States. Many countries, including Canada, refuse to import live goats, embryos, and semen from the United States because of the scrapie risk. For the U.S. to meet World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) criteria for scrapie freedom, we need evidence of zero scrapie cases for seven consecutive years. The program, with producer participation, is demonstrating success. The number of cases since the program began has been progressively dwindling. There were no documented cases of scrapie in the U.S. in 2023. We’re only in year one and don’t want a setback. New Zealand and Australia are the only countries considered scrapie-free, and as a result, they enjoy unrestricted trade and dominate the market.
Scrapie is a protein — or prion — disease called transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE). It was first described in sheep in the 1700s. It’s the same family of diseases as chronic wasting disease of deer, and mad cow disease or bovine spongiform encephalopathy. This group of diseases affects the central nervous system. They’re incurable, degenerative, and fatal. TSE was first diagnosed in the United States in 1947 in mink and sheep that had been imported. The first case of scrapie in a goat in the United States was reported in 1969. While scrapie in goats and sheep doesn’t appear zoonotic (transmissible to humans), other forms of TSE are.
In 2019, the same identification standards applied to sheep were extended to goats. The rules are somewhat complex, and state requirements can be more strict than federal requirements. Stephanie Brault (DVM, PhD, Dipl ACVIM), an APHIS veterinarian, puts it simply, “In general, do not buy or sell a goat of any age that may be used for breeding purposes or move goats off of your premises unless they are officially identified to their flock of origin.” The USDA has several decision tree charts to help determine when identification is necessary, but your state veterinarian should be consulted for any additional requirements.
To request official goat ear tags, a herd or premises ID, or both, call 1-866-USDA-Tag (866-873-2824). Scrapie tags can be plastic, metal, radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags, or injectable RFID capsules (restrictions apply) and are purchased directly through USDA-approved vendors once a producer has been assigned a Herd ID. The second part of tagging is recordkeeping. Producers are required to keep records in accordance with USDA instructions.
Tattoos
Registry tattoos may be used to meet the scrapie identification requirement instead of tags if the tattoo is registered with an APHIS-approved registry. Tattoos must contain a unique premise or herd ID associated with the registry. We use our herd prefix, KCR. The goat also must have a unique animal ID number. This tattoo must be linked to registration records that allow the registry to trace the goat to the herd of origin or movement from owner to owner at the request of APHIS. You have a choice of tattoo ink colors. Black is fine for light-colored ears, but for visibility on dark ears, green is preferred.
Registry Requirements
Registry identification requirements differ. Some allow one form of identification, and others require two. They also have specific guidelines on the type and placement of identification. Typically, the herd prefix is placed in the goat’s right ear. We say “Right is Ranch” each time we apply tattoos to ensure correct placement. The left ear usually has a letter to indicate the year the goat was born (it’s not the same letter across all registries) and the individual identifier number.
Since we must tag and tattoo in our registry, our individual tattoo number is the sequential number on the scrapie tag. We tag each kid at birth, in order. Others use the birth order number beginning with 1, or 001 for the first goat born each year, and count up. We place our scrapie tag in the right ear because our herd prefix is much shorter than our individual identification number, allowing space for both. Some tag males in one ear and females in the other. There is no rule on scrapie ear tag placement. If you raise LaManchas, tattoos may be placed on the tail web.
Microchips and RFID Chips
Microchips or RFID are allowed by some registries and are used by some owners to identify their goats. The RFID can be either a chip inside an ear tag or an injectable. The injectable RFID is a tamperproof means of identification that won’t tear an ear or fall out, but it can’t be “read” without a device. It’s a good option if you don’t need visible ID, but there are restrictions on their use to satisfy scrapie identification requirements.
Apart from scrapie, just like with pets, the RFID microchip stores data that can link a lost or stolen goat with its owner. Some RFIDs can store more than ownership information, however. RFID tags can automate manual data-keeping processes, reducing labor and error. Goats can be scanned at gates and feeding stations to track activity and optimize feeding strategies. They can store weights, breeding history, and health records that remain attached to the goat as it moves through commerce channels.
Identification is a helpful herd management tool. You might not intend for your goats to leave your property, but goats being goats, they may find a way to escape confinement. Permanent forms of identification can help prove ownership. We use our identification numbering system to keep detailed health records on our herd and reduce the chances of mistaken identity. Farm sitters don’t necessarily know the names of the goats in the pasture, but they can refer to a tag number when giving a daily report or to reference records and instructions. Not only do many of our goats look similar, but we also have a goat whose color changes seasonally from white to dark grey. We know this because while her color changes, her tag does not.
KAREN KOPF and her husband Dale own Kopf Canyon Ranch in Troy, Idaho. They enjoy “goating” together and helping others goat. You can learn more about them at Kopf Canyon Ranch on Facebook or KikoGoats.org.
Published in the March 1, 2025 digital edition of Goat Journal
