Effective Nov. 5, newly applied cattle official ID tags will need to have both a visual and an electronic component. This means any time you need an official ID tag, it'll have to be an 840 RFID tag. DATCP has a limited supply available to help producers offset costs. https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/OfficialID.aspx

Tressa Lacy, president of the Wisconsin Cattlemen's Association says she understands why there's some pushback on electronic ID tags -- some folks are apprehensive because of the cost, the confidentiality of the data, and the supply chain's capacity to read these tags. These are issues the national association is working to alleviate. And Tressa says the change has to start somewhere if they are to get ahead of potential animal disease outbreaks, such as Foot and Mouth Disease.