Sheep and Cattle traceability: the impact of environmental & other factors in Scotland on ear tag loss

This project has five broad objectives: 1) to quantify ear tag losses, 2) to collect supporting, narrative information from livestock keepers, 3) to take soundings from wider stakeholders, 4) to provide a technical overview of the market and 5) to follow good project management practice. The first objective is being addressed via a survey of livestock keepers. A form has been carefully designed, and pre-tested, to collect sufficient data for meaningful analysis without being overly burdensome to participants. While data exists around the number of replacement tags being supplied, this survey will add value by allowing us to explore connections between losses and, e.g., seasonality, production system, age and breed. The survey is available via an online platform, but it can be printed, completed and returned in hard-copy so as to be as accessible as possible. In the first instance, it is being promoted via the network of SAC livestock consultants and this will be supported by wider promotion through the Communications Office of Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), to encourage a good mix of respondents from the farming, crofting and small-holder sectors.

The second objective involves one-to-one discussion with livestock keepers to better understand the implications of ear tag losses for them, their stock and their farming activities. We are engaging with a mix of producers from across Scotland. Already, we have heard of some of the complexities associated with tagging in the context of common grazings; the anxieties of complying with requirements; and concerns about potential disruption to established management routines in the event of any regulatory changes. We have however also heard of the opportunities to harness data electronically to support herd and flock management decisions. Early findings have informed development of the survey.

The third objective focuses on wider stakeholders which have thus far shown encouraging support for the project. Discussions have taken place with representatives of the livestock markets, the tag manufacturers, industry bodies and officials. We are coming to understand that tag loss and retention rates are a function of i) the tag, ii) its application, and iii) the prevailing environment. 

The fourth objective investigates the market, of which the technical overview is used as the basis for the discussion with the wider sector. We found (as of December 2022) a total of 22 Defra-approved suppliers of ear tags that between them offer approximately: 75 Primary and 145 Secondary Cattle Tags; and 95 Conventional 65 EID Sheep Tags. We are mindful of commercial sensitivities and the project does not seek to identify manufacturers or brands beyond this market overview. Bringing these strands together is objective 5 that focuses on project management. For this objective regular meetings are held with the project team and a progress report is being generated with progress to date and setting out the next steps.

Impact Narrative

This project builds on previous Scottish Government funded work led by SRUC on ear tagging. Including, e.g., 'Electronic Identification: Making the most out of compulsory tagging' (2015) and 'The use of ultra-high frequency (UHF) transponders as a potential replacement for cattle passports' (2013). This project also spans across to some of the socio-epidemiology RESAS projects to investigate aspects of biosecurity and disease control on cattle farms in Scotland with cross-sharing of information via the respective project teams; and with the Horizon 2020 funded TechCare project that is exploring opportunities for the application of Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) technologies in the small ruminant sector across nine participating countries. There is continuity too of work sponsored by the Centre of Expertise on Animal Disease Outbreaks (EPIC), e.g., 'Exploring farmers views on the uptake of cattle traceability technology'.