Extension Update on New Traceability Rule
- 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.
