APHIS to provide up to 8 million RFID tags to cattle and bison producers

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APHIS to provide up to 8 million RFID tags to cattle and bison producers

The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service recently awarded contracts to provide up to 8 million low-frequency RFID ear tags to help increase animal disease traceability in cattle and bison.

The USDA says RFID tags will better position the livestock industry and state and federal veterinarians to accurately and quickly trace animals exposed or infected with potentially devastating diseases.

The tags will be provided to animal health officials and distributed for use in replacement breeding cattle and bison at no cost to the producer.

The proposal is available for review and public comment through October 5.

USDA says producers should contact their state veterinarian’s office for more information. The contract allows APHIS to purchase additional tags each year for up to five years.

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