When to tag a calf?

The tagging system requires the application of two identically numbered yellow plastic ear tags to calves born on a holding within 20 days of birth. However, to avoid confusion calves should be tagged as soon as the animal is dry.

Correct application of cattle tags is fundamental to any operation. Properly placed tags will minimise discomfort for the animal, decrease risk of injury to personnel and last longer in the ear.

1. Ensure the calf is securely restrained.

2. Squeeze the handles of the tagger to check that the pin slides easily into the hole on the opposite end of the tagger.

3. Place the male component of the tag on the tagger pin and the female component on the opposite side.

4. Make sure the female tag part is correctly aligned with it's male counterpart and squeeze the taggers.

5. Remove the tagger and ensure the tag halves are interlocked and placed both securely and comfortably.

TOP TIP: The ideal location for a tag is in the middle one-third of the ear, between the rises in auricular cartilage.

Tags placed too close to the head will fit too tightly due to the thicker cartilage, and may cause tissue necrosis. Tags placed too far towards the top or bottom of the ear are easily torn out.

Herdwatch has partnered with all three approved cattle tag providers in Ireland, Cormac Tagging, Datamars Agri and Mullinahone Co-Op to help farmers counteract a major cross-compliance issue by allowing our members to record and order missing tags directly from the Herdwatch app on their phone.

All the farmer has to do is select the missing tag numbers and place the order with their tag company of choice through the Herdwatch App.

Order replacement tags on the spot with the Herdwatch App.

Herdwatch is fully compliant with Bord Bia and EU quality assurance standards, and allows farmers to register calves and manage cattle movements on their phone. It is fully integrated with ICBF so farmers can see their breeding, milk records and EBI/Eurostar information on Herdwatch.

You too can join over 10,000 happy farmers saving time on farm paperwork and managing their farms more efficiently for FREE.

The Free-Plan allows farmers to:

In August 2021, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, announced the decision to move forward with mandatory electronic identification (EID) for cattle.

As part of the move towards mandatory EID, all new cattle tag sets, sourced from approved tag suppliers, now contain a white EID tag.

Last year, details of a financial support package to assist farmers in the move to mandatory EID for cattle were announced.

Payments for EID cattle tags in 2022 will be calculated on the number of new EID tag sets purchased from January 1, 2022, at a rate of €1 for each new EID tag set.

There is a maximum payment of €100 per farmer over the life of the scheme and no application process is required.

The scheme is “proportionately weighted in favour of smaller producers” according to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).

Bovine EID will be implemented in two stages:

According to the DAFM, mandatory bovine EID will deliver “substantial improvements” in the bovine identification system for farmers, livestock marts, slaughter plants, export assembly centres and vets.

“It will lead to a safer working environment for all stakeholders with less reliance on manual checking of bovine tag numbers,” according to the DAFM.

Properly placed tags will minimise discomfort for the animal, decrease risk of injury to personnel and last longer in the ear. This newborn calf must be tagged within 20 days of birth. To avoid confusion, calves should be tagged as soon as they are dry.

Have you ever wondered what the the colored plastic number “earrings” are that you see in the ears of cattle. They’re called ear tags, and they’re really important.

Ear tags are needed for animal identification. They make it possible for us to identify and keep accurate records about each calf, heifer, steer, cow and bull.

When you stop and think about it, animal identification has been around for a really long time. As soon as a family brings home a pet, they purchase a collar and tag for their new puppy or kitty. Similarly, we use ear tags to identify our cattle immediately.

For calves, our records include things like their gender, age, weight, and which cow is its mom.

Our records for the mama cows include additional information like when she had her last calf and how many calves she has had in her lifetime. We also want to know which calf belongs to each cow .

Ear tags come in all different colors and types. Usually, farmers have a meaning behind the colors they use and which ear the tag is in.

For example, on our farm, ear tags in the calf’s left ear mean it’s a heifer (girl) and in the right ear means it’s a steer (boy).

Since we’re a cow-calf farm and our calves are born on our farm, we give them ear tags when they’re calves.

We bring them into our barn, they go into a cattle chute, we give them an ear tag and then they go back outside with their mom. The entire process is sort of like a person getting their ears pierced. Just like earrings for people, it doesn’t hurt the calf at all.

Here’s a video of Matt giving a new calf an ear tag.

Do you want to learn more about beef? Below are a few popular beef posts and recipes you may like. In addition, we have an entire ebook about beef that goes through purchasing and preparing beef from a farmers perspective.

We have a weekly e-newsletter where we share about farm happenings, when our next beef availability is, and all things beef. When you do, you’ll get a cheat sheet with 9-must-ask questions before buying beef directly from a farmer.

Each calf needs one primary and one secondary ear tag. The deadline for each type of calf is different. If you cannot fit ear tags by the deadline, you should contact BCMS.

You must fit the primary and secondary tags before the calf is 21 days old.

You must fit the:

If you rear buffalo for beef, you must fit the primary and secondary tags before the calf is 21 days old.

If you rear buffalo for milk, you must fit the:

You must fit the primary and secondary tags when the calves are separated from their dams or before the calf is 9 months old, whichever is sooner.

You must buy official ear tags from these approved ear tag suppliers. You will need 2 tags for each calf - these are referred to as primary and secondary tags.

You should only stock enough ear tags for the number of calves you expect to be born during the year. The supplier will register the tags you buy against your county parish holding (CPH) number and herd mark.

You must fit a yellow flag tag as the primary tag. It can go in either ear. The primary tag must only show the following official identity information:

Fit the secondary tag in the other ear. It can be a different size, style or material from the primary tag. It must contain all the same official identity information as the primary tag. You can add other cattle management information but the official identity information must still be clear.

Make sure that the person fitting the tags is properly trained.

You should:

When using plastic tags, you should also:

You should also follow The British Safety Executive’s safe handling advice.

You must register the birth of every calf born on your holding with BCMS. You will get a free cattle passport to record a calf’s movement from birth to death.

Contact BCMS if you’re worried you do not have enough time to register the birth. Without a cattle passport, you cannot move your calf or enter it into the food chain.

You can register a birth online, by telephone or by post.