This document discusses identification systems currently used in the cattle industry and the move towards standardized 840 numbering. It notes that unique identification is key for genetic evaluations and testing. While American ID and NEUS tags are still used, the document advocates for official 840 IDs for reasons like calfhood vaccination, animal movement, and minimizing tags. It also addresses legacy systems and areas where American ID may still be needed.

1. Robert Fourdraine
AgSource Cooperative Services

2. ID Types Currently in Use
 Breed Registry Number
 American ID = Breed registry number
 NEUS numbering system
 Manufacturer coded RFID number
 AIN (840) number

3. Unique Id is key!
 Unique ID:
 Doesn’t mean it is official!
 It cannot repeat
 Required to get a genetic evaluation
 Required to receive a genomic test
 Farm Management Solutions
 Industry could continue to use American ID

4. Why Official ID is Preferred
 Calfhood vaccination
 Animals move
 Locations receiving animals that may require a CVI
 Minimize number of tags
 One single unique ID (both printed and electronic)

5. The Move Towards 840!
 NEUS tags are not unique
 Use of RFID on farm
 Use of visible tags for breed
registry and herd
management
 Lower cost options available
now (button)

6. The Move Towards 840!
 NEUS tags are not unique
 Use of RFID on farm
 Use of visible tags for breed
registry and herd
management
 Lower cost options available
now (button)

7. Legacy Systems
 No longer a need for American ID for printing on visible
panel or RFID ear tags (no cost difference with 840)
 American ID numbers on metal tags will still be around for
a while longer because many were printed and they are
cheap and unique (cost difference with 840)
 On farm technology that is not using the 840 numbering
system but will adopt to 840
 NEUS tags continue to be used by states so DHI’s will
continue to record these as long as they are not duplicates.

8. Areas of continued use of
American ID
 We will still need American ID for assigning unique
ID’s that are not printed on a visible or electronic
identifier
 Breed registries using tattoos, freeze brands, photo’s and
sketches
 Third Party service providers that need a unique ID but
Farm does not want a tag
 Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding will ultimately
decide what unique/official ID will continue to be
accepted for use in genetic evaluations in the dairy
industry.