All NAIT animals must be fitted with a NAIT approved RFID tag. NAIT animals born after 1 July 2012 should be tagged and registered before they are 6 months of age or before their first off farm movement, whichever comes first.

The one NAIT tag is the only mandatory tag required for NAIT animals. Other tags may be used in addition to the NAIT tag for farm management purposes.

Each NAIT RFID tag contains a microchip with a 15 digit RFID number that is globally unique and can be read by a RFID scanner. This unique identification number is fundamental for the purposes of tracing the animal for the duration of its life. The RFID number is linked to the identification number that is printed on the tag. This visual number will contain your NAIT number and, depending on the type of tag your purchase, will contain a year code and a sequence number of your choice.

NAIT tags come in two broad types – HDX or FDX. This relates to how they operate at the time of scanning.

HDX (Half Duplex)

• HDX are higher performing and have a long read range as well as protection from outside interference.
• Some on farm automation systems require the animals to be fitted with HDX tags which is why they are more popular for large dairy operations

FDX (Full Duplex)

• FDX tags have a shorter read range and are not protected from outside interference
• Usually FDX tags are suitable for sheep and beef operations
• FDX tags meet the minimum requirements set in the device standard

You can choose which kind of NAIT tag to purchase. The most common type of NAIT tag is the birth ID tag which is suitable for new born animals. Along with the globally unique RFID number they will be printed with the following:

• Your NAIT number
• A year code (optional)
• A sequence number

You also have the option to purchase a matching panel tag with the birth set which can help with on farm management but is not mandatory.

The other option is a replacement tag, these are designed for when one of your animals has lost its original NAIT tag. This will be printed with your NAIT number and the 15 digit RFID number.

NAIT approved RFID tags can be purchased from your local rural supply store or your artificial breeding provider. You will need to provide the following information when you purchase tags:

• Your NAIT number
• The species type
• Cattle have white tags
• Deer have orange tags
• The type of NAIT tag you wish to purchase (birth tags or replacement)
• If purchasing birth tags you can opt to have a year code printed on the tag
• Whether you want to purchase FDX or HDX tags

How to tag

Correct tagging is important to ensure a high retention rate.

• Ensure that you are using the correct tag applicator.
• Tag the animal in the right ear
• Ensure the tag is sitting in the central inner part of the ear, between the two veins.
• Ensure the female potion of the tag (the part with the visual ID printed on it) is facing forward.

You should tag the animal in the right ear because many processing facilities, sale yards and other farming tools have their scanners set up to scan from the right.

Tag applicators can be purchased through your local farm supply store.

Your safety is important – you should never attempt to tag an animal if it will put you in danger. There is an impractical to tag animal exemption that covers animals that are considered too dangerous to tag, more detail about this exemption is outlined below.

It is an offence to remove a NAIT tag without the express permission of the NAIT organization. If you believe you have reason to need to remove a NAIT tag from an animal, please make contact with OSPRI to request permission.

There are some exemptions to tagging animals, these are:

• Animals considered too dangerous to tag.
• These are animals that are going directly from their current farm to a meat processor. A $13 impractical To Tag (ITT) levy is imposed on these animals at the meat processor.
• Bobby calves
• Bobby calves, as defined in NAIT, are calves that are younger than 30 days of age and are moving directly to a meat processor from their birth farm.
• Fallow and trophy deer
• It is accepted that fallow deer are too tricky to handle and are subject to minimal farming and trophy stags are a tourist venture and remain on farmed parks.
• PICAs must provide NAIT with an annual tally of how many of these exempt animals are on their NAIT location. Click here to find out how to update your untagged animal tally.
• Animals born on a game estate, safari park or zoo
• NAIT animals born on a game estate, safari park or zoo are exempt from being tagged.
• PICAs must provide NAIT with an annual tally of how many of these exempt animals are on their NAIT location. Click here to find out how to update your untagged animal tally.