We have had a few questions recently about the cattle traceability rule that went into effect on November 5th, 2024. Overall, the question is “what do I have to have to legally move my cattle?” If you typically don’t take your cattle out of state, good news, the answer is nothing different than what you’ve been doing! I’m going to do a quick break down of who the rule applies to and who is exempt, but first, let’s talk about what the rule is.
Since 2013, to move cattle between states, cattlemen have had certain identification requirements that their cattle have had to meet. These requirements included a metal tag that was readable by sight but not electronically, an RFID tag that could be read electronically, or other means of identification as determined by officials in the state/area applicable. The 2024 rule changes this to make it so all cattle moving interstate wear an EID tag, which is electronically readable. The classes of animals to which this rule applies has not changed since the 2013 rule.This rule DOES NOT apply to:
- Beef cattle younger than 18 months of age.
- Cattle or bison that do NOT move interstate.
- Cattle or bison going directly to slaughter
- “Commuter herds,” cattle who are moving across state lines from pasture to pasture based on a movement permit agreed to by the livestock owner and the State animal health official. In those cases, brands and tattoos accompanied by the appropriate certificate and shipper-receiver agreement will continue to suffice as official animal identification, per the existing regulations.
This rule DOES apply to:
- sexually intact beef cattle over 18 months of age
- dairy cattle of all ages
- cattle or bison of any age used for rodeos or other recreational events
- cattle or bison of any age used for shows or exhibitions
You can contact the NCDA&CS Veterinary Division for your free tags.
(919) 707-3275
Don’t hesitate to contact our office with any questions! Call or email Katelyn at
(704) 983-3987 or katelyn_stegall@ncsu.edu. For more information, see
