Dr. Maurice L. Eastridge, Professor, Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) published the final Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) rule on the Use of Electronic Identification Eartags as Official Identification in Cattle and Bison on May 9, 2024. Beginning November 5, 2024, all official ear tags sold for or applied to cattle and bison must be readable both visually and electronically. This applies to all sexually intact cattle and bison 18 months of age and older, all dairy cattle (including dairy-beef crosses), and all rodeo and exhibition cattle moving interstate.
This final rule does not change the categories of animals that are exempted from official identification requirements, including beef feeder cattle under 18 months, direct to slaughter cattle (including cull cattle), and cattle or bison that do not move interstate.
Additional Resources:
- USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
- Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) website
- FAQ on Animal Traceability Rule 9 CFR 86 (published 4/26/24)
- Ohio Department of Agriculture, Animal Health Division
- Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID) website:
- Handout on the updated ADT rule
- How to obtain Free RFID Tags for Cattle
- Additional resources on How to Obtain RFID Tags
- InterstateLivestock.com