A change in the animal identification rules for cattle exhibiting at World Dairy Expo will be put in effect for the 2015 show. To remain in compliance with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) rule, all cattle entering Alliant Energy Center grounds are required to be identified with a USDA Animal Identification Number 840 RFID or visual ear tag, or a Canadian CCIA 124 RFID tag.

USDA 900, 982, and 985 tags will no longer be accepted as identification for animals born after March 11, 2015. Animals born before this date will be grandfathered in under the new rule and are eligible to enter the grounds. This is an update to the ADT rule that was put in place in 2013 to improve the traceability of U.S. livestock moving interstate.

“Having proper animal identification is important to ensuring the health of all animals exhibiting at World Dairy Expo,” said Tom Morris, WDE Dairy Cattle Exhibitor Committee Chair. “It also allows for a smooth check-in process at Expo.”

Additionally, animals entering the grounds are required to have copies of their health certificates (either ICVI or CVI) that include the 15-digit identification numbers, found on the 840 or 124 tags. Animals will not be allowed on grounds without completed health forms. It is also recommended to include the AIN and/or CCIA numbers on your dairy cattle entry form to further expedite the check-in process.