Table of Contents

Option 1: Tattooing Cow's Ear 

Location of Tattoo

Typically standard ID for cattle should go in the Cow's LEFT ear, whether that be a tattoo or tag. The right ear is typically saved for a Heifer's Brucellosis tattoo/tag, put in by a vet. So if you tattoo for registration purposes, consider using the Dexter's Left ear.

Online vendor for a good tattoo kit

Jeffers: https://www.jefferspet.com/products/revolving-head-tattoo-w-release  ( we use the green ink here.)  Also buy extra letters and numbers.

PBS Animal Health: https://www.pbsanimalhealth.com/categories/beef

Valley Vet: https://www.valleyvet.com/ct_search_results.html?q=tattoo

The second part of tattooing is knowing what tattoo to choose.

Please read this information from the ADCA site. https://dextercattle.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Tattoo-Letter-Guidelines_12-2020-1.pdf

*You can choose your own Tattoo sequence. The ADCA has the above as a recommendation to follow.

Option 2: USDA 840/RFID Ear Tag

In TEXAS, Obtain a USDA Premise Identification Number (PIN) assigned to your Farm

TEXAS Animal Health Commission https://www.tahc.texas.gov/adt/pdf/ADT_PremisesID.pdf.   Just call  1-800-550-8242 ext. 733. and tell them you need a premise ID for your farm so you can buy 840 tags.  In just a few minutes they will assign you a number.

Texas No Cost RFID Program: https://www.tahc.texas.gov/news/brochures/TAHCBrochure_RFID840FreeTagGuidance.pdf

In LOUISIANA, Obtain a Location Identification Number (LIN) assigned to your Farm

Louisiana Office of Animal Health and Food Safety https://www.ldaf.state.la.us/animal-health/veterinary-health-division/ LDAF Office of Animal Health and Food Safety Veterinary Health Division 5825 Florida Blvd., Suite 4000 Baton Rouge, LA 70806 Fax: 225-237-5555 Phone: 225-925-3980

Louisiana Premise ID Application: http://www.ldaf.state.la.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Business-Farm-Application-for-Premises-ID-Number11-2019.pdf

Vendors if Buying Tags

Valley Vet https://www.valleyvet.com/ct_search_results.html?q=840

*If buying the USDA 840 hanging tags, make sure they are for Cattle, not Swine ( In general it should be a size Large, even if it is a calf you are tagging.) If buying the buttons only tags, just make sure they are standard size and not the small ones for sheep or swine

Jeffers https://www.jefferspet.com/products/usda-840-fdx-eid-tags-bag-of-20

*The number on a USDA 840 tag is a long number. The ADCA would need the LAST 6 digits of that # for Registration Purposes. Best Practices is to use that same 6 digits when submitting genetic testing, so the lab work and registration papers all have the same Permanent ID for the Dexter.