(Article provided by Google Ai)
"HOW TO SETUP YOUR HERD FOR PROPER IDENTIFICATION IN OREGON"
Registering your goat herd for livestock traceability in Oregon is an important step to ensure herd health and remain compliant with state and federal regulations. Following a recent classical scrapie case detected in Oregon, the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and the USDA have reinforced the critical importance of keeping official identification current. [1, 2, 3]
Properly setting up your farm requires two specific identifiers:
1. Premises Identification Number (PIN) for your physical property and a
2. Scrapie Flock ID for your specific herd. [1, 2]
Step 1: Secure an Oregon Premises ID (PIN)
A Premises ID (PIN) is a unique, seven-character alphanumeric code assigned to a specific physical geographic location. It maps your property to a national database to assist animal health officials during a disease emergency. [1, 2]
Step 2: Register for a Scrapie Flock ID
A Scrapie Flock ID (or Scrapie ID) specifically registers your herd within the National Scrapie Eradication Program. [1, 2]
Step 3: Link Your Property and Herd Identifiers
While your Scrapie Flock ID identifies who owns the goats, your PIN identifies where they live. Linking them together is a straightforward process managed during your registration step: [1, 2, 3]
Tagging and Identification Options for Dairy Goats
Once your accounts are linked, you can order official identification. For dairy goat breeds, standard plastic ear tags can sometimes interfere with milking or show aesthetics, but you have several alternative options approved by USDA APHIS:
Compliance Reminder
Always keep meticulous logs. Oregon livestock producers are required to maintain records of all official individual animal IDs, application dates, and buyer/seller contact information for 5 years after a goat is sold or disposed of.
"HOW TO SETUP YOUR HERD FOR PROPER IDENTIFICATION IN OREGON"
Registering your goat herd for livestock traceability in Oregon is an important step to ensure herd health and remain compliant with state and federal regulations. Following a recent classical scrapie case detected in Oregon, the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and the USDA have reinforced the critical importance of keeping official identification current. [1, 2, 3]
Properly setting up your farm requires two specific identifiers:
1. Premises Identification Number (PIN) for your physical property and a
2. Scrapie Flock ID for your specific herd. [1, 2]
Step 1: Secure an Oregon Premises ID (PIN)
A Premises ID (PIN) is a unique, seven-character alphanumeric code assigned to a specific physical geographic location. It maps your property to a national database to assist animal health officials during a disease emergency. [1, 2]
- Why you need it: You cannot order official RFID (electronic) ear tags directly from manufacturers without a valid PIN.
- How to register: In Oregon, PINs are managed directly by the state. Contact the ODA Livestock Health team at 503-986-4680 or via email at [email protected] to complete the ODA Premises Identification Registration. [1, 2, 3]
Step 2: Register for a Scrapie Flock ID
A Scrapie Flock ID (or Scrapie ID) specifically registers your herd within the National Scrapie Eradication Program. [1, 2]
- Why you need it: Most goats must have official USDA scrapie identification before they leave their birth farm, whether for sale, show, or exhibition. [1, 2]
- How to register: You can secure your herd's unique number by submitting the official form to the USDA Area Veterinarian in Charge for Oregon. Call the national router line at 1-866-USDA-TAG (866-873-2824), or download and submit the state-specific paperwork directly via the ODA Scrapie Flock Registration Portal. [1, 2]
Step 3: Link Your Property and Herd Identifiers
While your Scrapie Flock ID identifies who owns the goats, your PIN identifies where they live. Linking them together is a straightforward process managed during your registration step: [1, 2, 3]
- Use the Combined Application: When you fill out the Oregon Scrapie Flock Registration Application, you will list your physical property details. [1]
- Automatic Synchronization: If you do not have a PIN yet, the ODA will automatically issue you one based on your flock application details and immediately link it to your new Scrapie Flock ID. [1]
- Existing PIN Linking: If you already obtained a PIN in Step 1, write it clearly on your Scrapie Flock Application to ensure the federal and state databases connect your property to your herd. [1]
Tagging and Identification Options for Dairy Goats
Once your accounts are linked, you can order official identification. For dairy goat breeds, standard plastic ear tags can sometimes interfere with milking or show aesthetics, but you have several alternative options approved by USDA APHIS:
- Official Registry Tattoos: If your dairy goats are registered with a national organization like the American Dairy Goat Association (ADGA), their legible registry tattoos can act as official scrapie ID. The unique tattoo must be linked to your official registration papers, which must physically accompany the animal when it travels. [1, 2, 3]
- Scrapie ID Tattoos: If your animals are not registered with a breed association, you can manually tattoo your assigned USDA Scrapie Flock ID into one ear (or tail web) alongside a unique individual animal ID in the other. [1]
- Microchips (EID): You can use ISO-compliant electronic microchips. The chip number must be explicitly written on the goat’s registration papers or Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI), and you must bring a compatible microchip reader with you whenever you take the goat to shows or fairs. [1, 2]
Compliance Reminder
Always keep meticulous logs. Oregon livestock producers are required to maintain records of all official individual animal IDs, application dates, and buyer/seller contact information for 5 years after a goat is sold or disposed of.