State Import Rules Guide For Livestock

States' livestock rules to protect against disease can vary widely and are based on the unique needs of that industry and the people there. Identification is an especially challenging issue because we have no mandatory national system. (By the way, that fact scares the willies out of me when I think about some sort of foreign disease outbreak. But, that is a discussion for another day.) There is a good web site hosted by the United States Animal Health Association and the National Institute for Animal Agriculture: www.interstatelivestock.com. This gives you "quick, accurate access to state import requirements for livestock." It's easy to use and a great new tool.With regards to a universally accepted ID for cattle, the only ones we currently have use the office of USDA metal tags (silver "brite" tags or the OCV/Bangs orange tags), or the official "840 tag." Some states accept tattoos and brands under certain conditions.