Top 10 Tips for Sheep Tagging

Livestock records can be a complicated and daunting aspect of running a farming business to get your head round, but it’s a very important one for various reasons.

Livestock identification and records are covered by Scottish, UK and EU law. Failure to keep up-to-date and correct records can lead to financial penalties on support payments and in extreme cases it can lead to prosecution.

So to help you out, here are our top 10 tips for sheep tagging and records:

1. All sheep must be identified, within 9 months of age or before they leave the holding of birth. This must be entered into the flock register.
2. Every lamb must be identified with double tags at 1 year old, ideally in numerical order if double tagged, then batch identification can be entered into the flock register
3. Ensure all Replacement Tagging is entered into the flock register.
4. Always replace missing tags ASAP and have a stock of ‘Red replacement’ tags on farm for purchased stock.
5. Ensure all upgrading ie slaughter to full EID is recorded in the flock register.
6. Ensure all moves are reported to SAMU on time, (you can check this using Scot EID) & recorded in the flock register. (Extra important for SUSS)
7. Tell Animal Health of any holdings to be used for grasskeep, preferably before you move your sheep. (a SUSS requirement)
8. Do a physical count at each gather and record up dated numbers in the flock register. (You can use ‘missing’ and ‘found’ if less or more sheep are counted)
9. Every death of a double tagged sheep must be recorded in the flock register with its tag identity,
10. Put your Sheep and Goat form in on time!