According to the State Veterinarian’s Office, all show swine in Oklahoma that receive their health screening after December 1, 2018 must have an electronic 840 tag applied when tested. Exhibitors are encouraged to make sure they specify the correct electronic 840 tags when placing their tag orders. 840 is the first three numbers of official USDA tags. Tags that begin with numbers that are not 840 are not official tags. Oklahoma Youth Expo tags are not official tags. The 840 tags will be required to stay in the swine through the OYE event. OYE tags may be applied prior to the show. Listen to State Veterinarian Rod Hall explain this issue to Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Associate Farm Director Carson Horn, by clicking or tapping the LISTEN BAR below at the bottom of the page.
All veterinarians who work with swine exhibitors are encouraged to purchase and have on hand some of the proper tags, as not all exhibitors will have tags through their 4-H or FFA group.
- Issues that cause problems with tag retention:
- Improper Placement – it’s best to place the tag as deep in the ear as possible without putting pressure on the cartilage ribs and with the numbered button inside the ear.
- Improper applicator for the tag used – different tags require different applicators. Look further down this message for recommendations.
- Infection - infection causes itching and tags start to get hung up on fence anywhere where the animal rubs. Disinfection of the tags and ear prior to application will prevent some of this.
“I know a veterinarian who tested and tagged 2,000 swine last winter and only had 5-6 tags come out and two of those were removed because of infection,” said State Vet Rod Hall. “He uses an Allflex HDX 840 Official RFID Button Tag. These tags are a little more expensive (about $2.75 per tag) than some others but have shown to be very effective. Allflex also has an FDX 840 Official RFID Button Tag that is less expensive. Both tags may be applied with the Allflex Universal Total tagger with the black insert removed or the EID Ultra Retract-O-Matic. The little arrow on the tag should point up to keep from damaging the microchip in the tag.”
Watch the videos below for proper applicator usage and tag placement.
Hall recommends vets never use buttons that are a different brand or that are purchased separately from the ID portion of the tag. This can result in the tags not fitting properly and may lead to the male portion slipping out of the female portion of the tag. The ID portion (thicker part) of the tag should be on the inside of the ear.
Infection is more of a problem in show animals than in other livestock because they are kept up in confined spaces where there is a greater chance of contact with bacteria. It is a good idea to spray a disinfectant like Chlorhexidine on the tag prior to application or dip it in a small container of chlorhexidine.
An 840 tag must be applied either before the blood sample is taken for PRV and Brucellosis or at the time of the sampling. Individual exhibitors may purchase electronic 840 tags for their pigs using their Premises ID Number, but in most cases the tags will have been purchased by an Ag Chapter, a County Association, or by the veterinarian. Tags from any of these sources are acceptable as official ID as long as they are electronic tags that start with 840. The veterinarian should record the 840 tag number as well as the ear notches of the pig along with the PIN of the exhibitor on the test chart.
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