Reversing its position on phasing out metal and plastic identification ear tags, the USDA decided they can be used indefinitely on cattle that cross state borders, on cattle exhibited at fairs and on dairy cattle.
all current APHIS-approved methods of identification may be used… until further notice”
Source: Successful Farming, March 24, 2021. Link. “APHIS continues to believe that RFID tags will provide the cattle industry with the best protection against the rapid spread of animal diseases and will therefore continue to encourage the use of RFID tags while rulemaking is pending,” said the USDA.
INSIGHTS: The either-or debate remains puzzling. There’s no way I would want to help manage a herd daily without some visual identification. Adding RFID makes sense from a source verification standpoint as part managing food safety.