- Beginning January 1, 2013, all sexually intact adult cattle in Texas must be officially identified at change of ownership as per TAHC rules.
- Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service has agreed to assist Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) in the tag distribution for this disease surveillance program. TAHC news release states that "The TAHC is developing tag distribution partnerships with interested veterinary practitioners and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension offices. Partner contact information will be published as it becomes available. Producers may locate the closest tag distributor online at www.tahc.state.tx.us ."
- Auction barns will tag cattle prior to sale as needed to comply with the new rule. They may charge the producers a fee for this service.
- The tags are free to all cattle producers in Texas.
- A list of acceptable identification devices/methods may be found at www.tahc.state.tx.us, but the most commonly used devices include USDA metal tags, brucellosis calfhood vaccination tags, US origin 840 series Radio Frequency Identification tags (RFID), and breed registration tattoos or firebrands.
- Rockwall County Extension Office does have an inventory of the tags. Please call to request tags prior to arrival. 972.204.7660
- Taggers may also be checked out with minimal deposit. Deposit will be returned upon return delivery of tagger.
