USDA moves toward all-RFID system for officially identifying cattle

 

The USDA has reopened the debate in the cattle industry on radio-frequency tags with a new proposal that has the stated goal of increasing overall traceability in case of disease outbreaks in cattle, according to the Wisconsin State Farmer.

The USDA asked the industry to weigh in with comments on its plan to make low-frequency identification tags, commonly known as RFID tags, the only official tags for use in interstate movement of cattle within a few years.

Under its current timeline, the agency wants to require RFID tags for beef cattle, dairy cattle and bison moving interstate by January 1, 2023.