Sheep eartag requirements

[scatterbrainedlass]

Hoping someone can point me in the right direction here...

We have some bought in ewes, one of which has lost her tags. I know that a tag of some description has to be present when an animal leaves your holding. If I buy replacement tags (our own holding number) can I put them in her as long as I record the replacement and original number in our flock book?

Also, if an animal leaves on a knacker wagon does it have to have 1 or 2 tags, and their original tags or current owner's tags? Have to say I've never seen anyone tagging a dead animal

 

[johnflimston]

If you replace with your own tag number you need a pair of red tags for anything that isn't home bred.
You should keep some anyway in case you have an inspection.

 

[GTB]

A purchased ewe which has lost both tags should be retagged with a pair of red tags bearing your own flock number.
I think that if she had lost one tag you should order a replacement tag bearing the same flock and individual number.
Dead sheep don't need tags as far as I know.

 

[johnflimston]

A purchased ewe which has lost both tags should be retagged with a pair of red tags bearing your own flock number.
I think that if she had lost one tag you should order a replacement tag bearing the same flock and individual number.
Dead sheep don't need tags as far as I know.

Or use pair reds and cross reference original number.

 

[scatterbrainedlass]

Do the red tags need an individual number or can they be blank, with just the flock number?? Or would I have to order for example 1-10 in red and then start at 11 for standard tags?

 

[Spartacus]

Do the red tags need an individual number or can they be blank, with just the flock number?? Or would I have to order for example 1-10 in red and then start at 11 for standard tags?

If you order the tags the supplier will send them with the correct info on them. Never had any as we only buy in tups and they havent lost a tag yet but I would think they'll be holding number and individual number as well.

 

[GTB]

Do the red tags need an individual number or can they be blank, with just the flock number?? Or would I have to order for example 1-10 in red and then start at 11 for standard tags?

Yes they will need both flock and individual numbers. The numbers will carry on from the last numbers you bought.

 

[GTB]

Or use pair reds and cross reference original number.

Correct. Only other option is to cut remaining tag off and say she had lost both?

 

[scatterbrainedlass]

Ok, thanks for the quick responses Surely though a dead animal needs some sort of ID on the paperwork? Or do they just enter your holding number as they're not passported?

 

[Newby]

Ok, thanks for the quick responses Surely though a dead animal needs some sort of ID on the paperwork? Or do they just enter your holding number as they're not passported?

If you've only a few you'll be able to find her original number from your paperwork, if you've loads you enter it as "unknown" and either re-tag or send with knacker man depending what your wanting to do with it.

 

[Farm Matters Ltd]

Dead animals need identification as well for your records its an inspection issue for the holding register.

 

[Newby]

If you've only a few you'll be able to find her original number from your paperwork, if you've loads you enter it as "unknown" and either re-tag or send with knacker man depending what your wanting to do with it.

As said before you really ought to have some replacement tags if only in case of an inspection, cos sods law you'll find a missing tag when you gather them in.

 

[Newby]

Dead animals need identification as well for your records its an inspection issue for the holding register.

I've never been asked by either knacker or inspector to identify dead animals, does that mean you should tag dead lambs or slap mark sows that have died at home?

 

[GTB]

I've never recorded tag numbers for dead sheep and never been asked for a list by inspectors. This years lambs don't have tags in yet anyway.

 

[scatterbrainedlass]

I'll definitely get some red replacement tags, as some have already said, at least I have them on hand, even if I never have to use them. I would be able to find a dead animal's ID as we don't have so many at the moment, but it seems a bit of a grey area as to whether it even needs to be ID'd.

 

[Gator]

If I have any that's lost one tag I just cut the old tag out and scan the new tag against the old one. It comes up as, old and new a day reason why. Have had no problems with the inspection in February, as long as you still have a record of its old number against the new.

 

[CharcoalWally]

Might be different rules in different parts of the UK , but in Scotland we're required to keep and present a list of tag numbers of ewes that have died in the last year.

 

[Gator]

Might be different rules in different parts of the UK , but in Scotland we're required to keep and present a list of tag numbers of ewes that have died in the last year.

I have all them, I ask him if wanted to see the dead stock and all the forms from nfsco, wasn't even interested. Still going to keep um though the next one mite be a jobsworth .

 

[ford4000]

I've never recorded tag numbers for dead sheep and never been asked for a list by inspectors. This years lambs don't have tags in yet anyway.

We've been penalised for sending a couple of dead ewes away after a flock inspection, having forgotten to write their ear numbers down when busy lambing. ... they had to find something! !

 

[Nithsdale]

A purchased ewe which has lost both tags should be retagged with a pair of red tags bearing your own flock number.
I think that if she had lost one tag you should order a replacement tag bearing the same flock and individual number.
Dead sheep don't need tags as far as I know.

Forget re-tagging with same numbers. Cut the 2nd tag out and R-tag the ewe. It keeps the job much more simple.


The most important thing is writing it all down!! You MUST cross-reference old tags and new tags and show full traceability.


If a ewe dies, you don't need to make sure she has correct tags... but again, write her tag numbers into the flock book o she can be accounted for.