The Holstein ID Tag Program, along with National FAIR, provides breeders the opportunity to officially identify their animals with ear tags that are excellent for day-to-day herd management. The Holstein ID Tags, using the Allflex tamper-proof tag, provide a high level of integrity which is essential for a valued identification program. Printing the animal's official number on each individual tag allows the animal's unique lifetime number to be assigned when the calf is tagged.

Holstein Breeders and Tag ID involves using a combination of two approved identifiers, one of which must be a Maxi or Large ID Tag. The other identifier may be another ID Tag (Maxi, Large, Junior or Mini-Round). A combination of one Maxi or Large with an ear tattoo or freeze brand may also be used. One tag should be applied shortly after birth and the second tag (or identifier) is to be applied before the calf is six months old.


Preprinted Tags (Inventoried Tags)
Producers order a supply of preprinted tags that are inventoried at the farm so the tags are available to apply to newborn calves. The herd owner should order enough tags to last at least 6 months in the size and color they prefer with sequential herd management numbers (i.e. 1500 - 1999). Eight colors are available to select from.

Customized Holstein ID Tags
Another popular option are the Customized Holstein ID Tags. In this option, the producer inventories one Holstein ID Tag (Maxi, Large, Junior, Mini-Round or RFID) for each calf that is applied at birth. The Customized Tag(s) are automatically ordered when the calf's ID is submitted to Holstein Association USA using the EASY ID program and sent to the producer, to be applied before the animal is six months old.
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Any of the following information may be printed on Custom Tags:

  • Date of Birth
  • Barn name
  • Sire's Short Name
  • Sire's NAAB Code
  • Dam's ID number or name
  • Dam's ID and calf's date of birth (on one line)
  • User defined text (prefix, farm name, etc.)


As illustrated, information can appear on one or two lines on the tag. Customized Tags are available in the Maxi and Large size (only one line format for Large Tags).

Customized tags are a great value and allow for easier management, as they provide important information visible on each animal. The laser printed tags are highly visible and are guaranteed not to fade for the life of the tag.

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American ID Numbering System
Example: 61234567
The Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding initiated the American ID numbering system January 1998. The goal is to establish a unique, lifetime number for each animal for milk recording (DHIA), breed registry, genetic evaluations, and animal health. The American ID number does not imply that an animal is registered, thus a producer may use this numbering system for all of their calves, even if they have a mixed herd (registered and grade). Producers should not assign more than one American ID number to the same animal.

840 Numbering System
Example: 840003123456789
840 ID numbers are official numbers issued by USDA (as opposed to the standard American ID Numbers, which are issued by breed associations), and may only be printed on USDA approved eartags. The "840" number replaces "USA" in the animal's ID number, and represents the U.S.'s country code.