Sheep Tags - Border Software

Sheep Tags and Tagging

Basics

All breeding sheep born since January 1 2006 have been required to be double tagged within 12 months of age. In fact any animals older than 12 months born after 2006 should be double tagged. Since January 1st 2010 one of these tags has to contain an electronic (EID) chip. In England and Wales the EID tag must be Yellow.

There are many issues regarding the legislation, however for people purchasing or keeping breeding animals things are pretty clear. We can summarise with 3 key points.

1. If you are buying in breeding animals they must come with individual identities (double tagged) these numbers must be recorded on the movement documentation. This number includes the breeders holding number and the individual number of the animal

2. If you are selling breeding animals they must be double tagged and listed on the movement documentation.

3. Breeding animals on your farm born since 1 January 2010 must be double tagged if older than 12 months old.

There is some confusion over the fact that breeding animals should be tagged within nine months, were as animals intended for slaughter do not have to be tagged untill 12 months. This does not stop you deciding that an untagged animal intended for slaughter up until the 364 days old suddenly get kept as a breeding animal!

There are of course regulations for animals intended for slaughter under 12 months of age... more on them later.

Sheep EID tagged are WYSIWYG

EID tags are WYSIWYG - that is they are programmed with 'almost' the same number as printed on them. This seems obvious but is for those of us who have been using EID for some years a major improvement. Some sense prevailed, a great credit to Brian Eddie from RoxanID for the lead he took despite complaints from the industry back in 2006.

So the tags for my flock look like this

On the Tag......

UK0713393 00025

the EID reads (when displayed by a reader)

0826071339300025

the 0826 identifies the tag as coming from the UK.

the 0713393 is of course my flock number

the 00025 indicating the number of the animal.

WYSIWYG

The EID number includes the country (0826 for UK) the flock and individual number.

Tagging at birth

Double tagged Lamb

This lamb has been double tagged at birth. Though NOT a legal requirement it means we do not have to retag the animal if retained for breeding.

You will hear as much about tagging lambs as you will about tagging in general. We personally do not object to this given what we want to acheive.

Tagging Lambs at birth is not compulsery! You do not have to do this!

We tag our lambs at birth (on day two) because in our experience the issues you get at birth are less than the issues later and we want to know who the lamb is and collect data as it grows. We will weigh them at birth, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, weaning, 2 weeks later, then every 2 weeks until we eat it.

Tagging at birth is therefore a personal preference. Although I would agree the tags make their ears sag is it worse than notching?

There are some key points.

1. Take some time, careful placement with space to grow.

2. Select your tag manufacture carefully. we intend for them to stay in and still work.

3. Ensure double tags are paired up correctly. You do not want to have to cut them out!

Retagging

If the animal is born and breed on your farm you may retag it using your standard tags. I.E. one yellow plus another colour

If the animal was not born on your farm you should retag the animal with RED tags.

The retagging should be recorded in your retag register, with the previous tag number recorded if known

If the animal has only lost one of its tags you may cut the other out and fit two new ones. You may if you wish purchase and fit a matching tag but this is not a requirement.

Retagged EWE

Red tags indicate that this ewe is a retag but NOT born on the holding.