What to Know About the Cattle Traceability Rule Going into Effect Nov. 5

In 2013, a USDA Animal Disease Traceability rule required that all sexually intact cattle over 18 months, rodeo and exhibition cattle and dairy cattle moved interstate have official identification.

Under the new 2024 Animal Disease Traceability rule, starting on Nov. 5, all sexually intact cattle over 18 months, rodeo and exhibition cattle and dairy cattle moved interstate must have an official ID with an electronic identification device (EID). The only EID technology approved by USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) at this time is an 840 tag—that is what will be required starting Nov. 5 for these classes of cattle.

Cattle tagged with official identification (including a metal clip tag or non-EID plastic tag) before Nov. 5 should not be retagged with an 840. Existing tags will continue to be allowed for the rest of that animal’s life. See this graphic for more scenarios related to if cattle should be tagged and listen to the podcast episode below for more details.

Did CCA support this new rule?
Yes, CCA members voted and chose to support the adoption and implementation of electronic identification devices for interstate movement for these groups of cattle only. In short, the change coming Nov. 5 is going to require tags to be electronically readable, on top of visually readable. See CCA’s policy on animal disease traceability in our policy book here.

Do you have any examples of what this could mean for my cattle?
Yes, see the graphic below.