Groups representing ranchers including the New Civil Liberties Alliance and R-Calf USA are embroiled in litigation with the USDA over electronic identification (EID) ear tags for cattle to be transported over state lines. Resistance to adoption has persisted for a number of years since USDA required EID ear tags in place of less expensive visual tags. The argument that EID tags are a financial burden should be viewed against the 2026 estimated margin of $1,123 per head accruing to cow/calf ranchers as estimated by the Beef Industry Profit Tracker.
The USDA maintains that the EID tags are necessary to reduce errors in livestock tracking, critical to control of disease. This is especially important given the emergence of New World screwworm infestation in Mexico. Without a durable ID and tracking system the export market might be placed in jeopardy in the event of an extensive disease outbreak.
Essentially EID tags reflect progress in the control of livestock disease and are superior in preventing fraud and illegality that could occur with the visual-only tags.
The ear tag issue has become a question of “rights” representing opposition to state and federal mandates and regulations that are intended to improve livestock and human health. The growing “rights” movement is exemplified by passage of hastily enacted state laws and local ordinances allowing the distribution of raw milk, parental involvement in school curriculums and vaccination.