Tracker entry M29: USDA APHIS: electronic ID eartags for cattle and bison
In force
US
Next date
in 16 days
Motion hearing on cross-motions for summary judgment, Rapid City
- Region
- US
- Sector
- Livestock
- Imposed by
- USDA APHIS
- Applies to
- Interstate movement of covered cattle and bison
- Technology
- RFID required (LF)
What the rule requires
Covered cattle and bison moving between US states (sexually intact beef cattle 18 months and over, all dairy cattle, rodeo and exhibition cattle) need official 840 eartags that are both visual and electronically readable; APHIS approves LF and UHF tags. The rule stays in force while the lawsuit runs; a ruling could follow the 18 November hearing.
Status: In force since 5 Nov 2024; court challenge pending, hearing 18 Nov 2026
What it means for RFID
The USDA rule creates demand for electronic official eartags rather than for readers. Covered cattle and bison moving between states need official 840 eartags that are both visual and electronically readable, and RFID News reported in October 2026 that APHIS put the scale at about 11 million cattle and bison tagged with visual official identification each year.
The rule does not require readers or electronic records, because the tags must also carry a visual number. That is the core of the ranchers' case: R-CALF USA and its co-plaintiffs argue the rule is arbitrary and capricious for requiring an electronic tag that can still be read by eye. APHIS has supplied official tags free of charge but cannot commit to multi-year funding.
The rule stays in force while the case runs. The date to watch is the motion hearing on 18 November 2026 in Rapid City, after which a ruling could follow.
Timeline
- Final rule published in the Federal Register
- R-CALF USA and others sue in US District Court, South Dakota
- Rule takes effect: official eartags must be visually and electronically readable
- Court rejects USDA standing challenge; core APA claim proceeds
- Plaintiffs move for summary judgment
- Motion hearing on cross-motions for summary judgment, Rapid City
Our coverage
Sources
Official source: USDA APHIS
Last checked against the official source on 1 November 2026.
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