Includes all animals of the Bos and Bison genus
Animal Identification Number (AIN)
- AIN ear tags begin with an official country code followed by an additional 12 digits; 15 digits in total. The official U.S. country code is ‘840’.
- In compliance with federal law, AIN tags must display the U.S. shield if applied to an animal March 11, 2015 or after
- May be purchased from most ear tag distributors
- 4-H tags available by contacting your county extension office.
- Orange ‘840’ prefix AIN Brucellosis vaccination tags for official calfhood vaccinates may be ordered by accredited veterinarians from Allflex by calling 800-989-8247.
- Orange brucellosis vaccination tags may only be used by accredited veterinarians and applied to cattle and bison per Minnesota Admin Rule 1721.0170.
- 15-character tags beginning with the letters ‘USA’ or manufacturer-coded tags beginning with any number between 900 – 998 are only official if applied to the animal prior to March 11, 2015
![white 840 tag](/sites/default/files/styles/coh_medium/public/images/840-tag-button.jpg?itok=4jINwDGI)
![840 tag green bangle](/sites/default/files/styles/coh_medium/public/images/840-tag-green-bangle.jpg?itok=03tillK1)
![840 tag white bangle](/sites/default/files/styles/coh_medium/public/images/840-tag-white-bangle.jpg?itok=KZz5DdXO)
![4H tag yellow bangle](/sites/default/files/styles/coh_medium/public/images/ain-4h-rfid.jpg?itok=kQ6Kgb_T)
National Uniform Ear-tagging System (NUES)
- NUES ear tags begin with an official state number followed by three letters and then four numbers. The official state number for Minnesota is ’41’.
- Silver metal NUES tags may be purchased from Ketchum Manufacturing (minimum order 100 tags) by calling 800-222-0460 or National Band & Tag Company (minimum order 100 tags for producers; 1000 tags for veterinarians) by calling 859-261-2035.
- Silver metal NUES tags may be available from your veterinarian.
- Orange brucellosis vaccination tags may only be used by accredited veterinarians and applied to cattle and bison per Minnesota Admin Rule 1721.0170.
- Orange metal NUES Brucellosis vaccination tags may also be ordered by accredited veterinarians from Ketchum Manufacturing (minimum order 100 tags) by calling 800-222-0460 or National Band & Tag Company (minimum order 1000 tags) by calling 859-261-2035.
- Plastic NUES tags may be purchased from Leedstone by calling 877-608-3877.
- In compliance with federal law, NUES tags must display the U.S. shield if applied to an animal March 11, 2015 or after.
![organge metal brucellosis vaccination tag with numbers and letters imprinted](/sites/default/files/styles/coh_medium/public/images/brucellosis-vaccination.jpg?itok=yZ_3crqY)
![metal nues tag with numbers and letters imprinted, metallic color](/sites/default/files/styles/coh_medium/public/images/nues-metal.jpg?itok=BehKoRaV)
![three large plastic nues tags, white, green, and yellow](/sites/default/files/styles/coh_medium/public/images/nues-large-plastic.jpg?itok=rKcnTIRS)
![small plastic nues tags in white, blue, yellow, green, and red](/sites/default/files/styles/coh_medium/public/images/nues-small-plastic.jpg?itok=9CGX5eV8)
American Identification Number
- In compliance with federal law, these tags are only official if applied to the animal prior to March 11, 2015
- Combines ‘USA’ with 8 or 9 digits
- Includes the National Farm Animal Identification and Records (FAIR)
- Administered by Holstein Association USA, Inc.
![yellow ain tag with USA 88 888 888 circled in photo](/sites/default/files/styles/coh_medium/public/images/ain-tag.jpg?itok=QtkaDS1c)
![yellow fair tag with USA 60 068 210 circled in image](/sites/default/files/styles/coh_medium/public/images/fair-tag.jpg?itok=kMyIm-ic)
![american id metal tags with numbers and letters imprinted, metallic color](/sites/default/files/styles/coh_medium/public/images/american-id-metal-dhia1.jpg?itok=0AfY63rp)
Limited Movement: Breed Registry Tattoos and Tags
Valid only for movement within Minnesota and import from the following states:
- Iowa
- Missouri
- South Dakota
Acceptable if accompanied by documentation listing the breed registration number. Pending registrations are not acceptable.
Limited Movement: USDA-Approved Backtag
Valid only for movement of cull cattle being imported from an out-of-state market to a state/federal approved market.
![yellow backtag with number and barcode](/sites/default/files/styles/coh_medium/public/images/backtag.jpg?itok=I7VwEENA)