Scrapie Tag Information for Goat & Sheep Exhibitors

Market Sheep, Breeding Sheep, Market Goats, Breeding Goats need USDA Scrapies tags for identification for County Fair and State Fair. Scrapie Tags will serve as the official 4-H identification for Goats & Sheep. Scrapie Tags ARE NOT provided by the Extension Office, you as the family must request them (see below).

If you are purchasing an animal, it is the breeders/sellers responsibility to make sure the animal has a Scrapie tag in the animals ear BEFORE it leaves their premises. 

Requesting Scrapie Tag By Phone

To request official sheep and goat tags, a flock or premises ID, or both, call 1-866-USDA-Tag (866-873-2824). 

1-866-USDA-TAG has a telephone tree that will gather information to route you to the correct APHIS Veterinary Services (VS) or State office to answer your questions about sheep and goat identification. Learn more about using the telephone tree.

Directly From Approved Tag Manufacturers

Producers and others who handle sheep or goats in commerce who need additional tags or want a different type or color of tag may purchase official plastic, metal, or radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags directly from approved tag manufacturers. A flock or premises ID is required to order tags from these sources. A national premises ID is also required to purchase official 840 RFID tags or implantable devices.

For those who use the APHIS-provided tags, please note that you will need to purchase a compatible applicator.

The companies listed below are approved. These eartags and devices are approved for the official identification of sheep and goats in interstate commerce. There are restrictions on the use of implantable devices; refer to page 55 of the National Scrapie Eradication Program Standards (1.46 MB).

FAQ about the Scrapie Program

  • Do Scrapie tags expire? No, the tags are good for the animal’s lifetime.
  • I acquired a sheep/goat that already had a Scrapie tag in its ear; do I have to add one of my tags? No. If we did a trace-back on that animal, the tag would lead us to its original owner whose records would then lead us to you. That’s why it’s important for sheep and goat producers to keep records for five years detailing the births, deaths, sales and acquisitions of their animals.
  • I acquired a sheep/goat without a Scrapie tag in its ear; what should I do? Sheep and goats that change ownership should not be sold without a Scrapie tag. In the event that this does occur, it would be the new owner’s responsibility to put in one of their Scrapie tags. Be sure to document where/when you purchased the animal.
  • If a friend needs a Scrapie tag can I give him/her one of mine? No. Scrapie numbers are assigned to your premises. They cannot be shared.
  • 4-Hers purchasing sheep and goats for their projects need to make sure the seller has the animals identified when they are sold.
  • Animal ldentification - The purpose of identifying sheep and goats is to enable traceback of Scrapie positive animals to their flock or herd of origin and to trace animals out of the infected flocks. The following animals are required to be identified with official Scrapie tags:
    • All breeding goats and sheep regardless of age when change of ownership occurs
    • All goats and sheep over 18 months of age when change of ownership occurs
    • All sexually intact sheep and goats for exhibition
    • All sheep and goats from Scrapie positive, exposed, suspect, or high risk animals
    • All sheep and goats from non-compliant flocks
    • Breeding goats, except for low risk commercial goats
    • All intact feeder sheep and goats sold at an unrestricted sale
    • All wethers (neutered males) being exhibited at county fairs, State Fair & Ak-Sar-Ben
  • Unrestricted Sale - An unrestricted sale at a livestock market is one in which breeding, feeding, and slaughter sheep and goats are sold the same day. All sexually intact sheep sold and goats at an unrestricted sale must be identified unless they are lambs nursing their dams. Livestock markets can designate sales as slaughter or feed-for­ slaughter only sales (restricted sales). Sexually intact sheep and goats under 18 months of age which are sold at such restricted sales do not need to be identified. However, buyers at restricted sales will be required to sign a statement indicating where the sheep will be slaughtered or fed. Unidentified ewe and ram lambs that do not go directly to slaughter must go to a terminal feedlot that has been approved by APHP.  Currently, all Nebraska sheep and goat markets are operating as unrestricted sales. All ewe, doe, and ram lambs sold at these unrestricted sales will need to be identified regardless of age, unless they are nursing their dam. This also applies to high risk goats (those commingled with sheep) for feeding.
  • Record Keeping - All persons who buy, sell or otherwise deal In the ownership or acquisition of sheep and/or goats are required to maintain records on their animals for a period of five years. Persons selling sheep or goats must record the number of animals sold, their identification, date of sale, name, address and phone number of buyer, and the species, breed or class of animals sold. Persons buying sheep or goats must record the number of animals purchased and their identification, date of purchase, name, address and phone number of the seller, and species, breed or class of animals purchased. Flock owners or their employees who apply official identification to animals shall maintain the following records: The date tagged The number of sheep and or the number of goats identified The entire identification number applied The name and address of the owner of the flock of birth, if known (for purchased and untagged sheep).
  • Put the complete number on your Animal Ownership Affidavit Forms.  It should read “State” “Premise Number” along with the “Individual Animal Identification Number”.  
Scrapie Tag Examples