Callers should recognize that using this message feature will add significantly to the time required to obtain an answer to their questions because their message must be manually routed to the correct office.

These inquiries will be forwarded to the correct State or VS office within 2 business days. If they don’t know the postal abbreviation or have difficulty with the tree, they will be routed to a voicemail box where they can leave a message with their name, phone number, and the State or territory where their sheep or goats are located. The caller will then be routed directly to the correct person to help them. If more than one state is represented by the number combination (for example, both Utah and Vermont are represented by “8, 8” for “U, T” and “V, T” respectively) then the caller will be asked to select the correct state from the list of options. If the wrong state was inadvertently identified, the caller can key in or say “2” to return to the main menu to identify the correct state. For example, if they are calling about their flock or herd in Texas, they will key in or say “8, 9” to indicate “T, X.” If they are calling about their flock or herd in California, they will key in or say “2, 2” to indicate “C, A.” Once the proper state is identified, the caller will be asked to key in or say “1” to confirm that it is the correct state.

When prompted, callers will either key in or say the numbers on their telephone keypad corresponding to the two-letter postal abbreviation of the State or territory where the flock or herd about which they are calling is located. To request these official sheep and goat tags, a flock or premises ID or both, call 1-866-USDA-Tag (86).ġ-866-USDA-TAG has a new telephone tree (implemented in February 2021) that will gather information from the caller to direct them to the correct VS or State office to answer their questions about sheep and goat identification.

Metal serial tag numbers have the state postal abbreviation, 2 letters followed by 4 numbers. Plastic serial tags have the state postal abbreviation, a letter and a number in either order, followed by 4 numbers. Dealers and markets may continue to receive metal serial tags at no cost through FY 2021 or until the available funds are expended. Flock ID tag numbers are the producer’s flock ID assigned by APHIS or the State followed by an individual animal number. APHIS is working with sheep and goat organizations to develop a plan for transitioning toward electronic identification to improve our nation’s ability to quickly trace exposed and diseased animals in the event of an outbreak.ĪPHIS discontinued the availability of no-cost metal tags for producers on 8/31/19. Producers will need to purchase the compatible applicator from the tag manufacturer. The United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), National Scrapie Eradication Program, is providing up to 100 plastic flock ID tags free-of-charge, to first time participants in the sheep and goat identification program through fiscal year (FY) 2021 or until the available funds are expended. Information on ordering official sheep and goat ear tags/devices: Print Information on sheep and goat identification requirements:

Ear tagger use