In Scotland, as elsewhere, ear tags are vital for identifying sheep and cattle. They underpin livestock traceability systems, which allow animals to be located and movements tracked, essential during a disease outbreak. Lost tags not only weaken the system’s ability to respond, but also risk undermining confidence in its integrity. Legislation requires keepers to comply with tagging rules, and sanctions may apply if they do not.

Ear tags also play an increasing role on farms themselves. Electronic tags and readers now allow keepers to monitor performance, record treatments, and even automate some tasks. When tags are lost, these data flows are disrupted. There are also practical concerns: torn ears can create animal welfare issues, while buying and inserting replacement tags adds cost and stress.

This project is investigating why ear tags are lost and what this means for compliance. It has four work packages:

• Quantifying tag loss: An online survey (84 responses so far) suggests replacement rates of around 3% in ewes, 10% in beef suckler cows, and 5% in dairy cows.

• Understanding context: Survey and farm visit data show a range of attitudes to tagging – from frustration at extra handling to recognition of the benefits for management and data recording.

• Stakeholder insights: Interviews with manufacturers, markets, and suppliers highlight the “ear tagging triangle” – where tag retention depends on application, environment, and tag design.

• Market overview: At the end of 2022, there were 22 Defra-approved suppliers, with evidence of consolidation in the sector.

Next steps include publishing findings in an accessible article, delivering knowledge exchange workshops with stakeholders, and raising awareness through podcasts, videos, and social media.

What the project is doing:

1. Measuring tag losses: A nationwide survey of livestock keepers has been designed to collect meaningful data without being overly burdensome. Available online or in hard copy, the survey asks about factors such as season, breed, age, and production system. It is being promoted through SAC consultants and SRUC’s Communications Office to ensure responses from farmers, crofters, and smallholders.

2. Hearing from keepers directly: One-to-one discussions are capturing the real impacts of tag losses on daily farming. Early findings highlight the complexities of tagging in common grazings, anxiety about compliance, and concerns over management disruption if regulations change. At the same time, some see opportunities to use electronic data from tags to improve flock and herd management.

3. Engaging stakeholders: The project has strong support from industry bodies, markets, manufacturers, and officials. Initial findings suggest that tag loss rates depend on three main factors: the tag itself, how it is applied, and the environment in which animals are kept.

4. Market overview: There are currently 22 Defra-approved tag suppliers offering around 75 primary and 145 secondary cattle tags, plus 95 conventional and 65 electronic sheep tags. While the project is not comparing brands, this overview helps inform the wider picture.

5. Good project management: Regular team meetings ensure the work stays on track, with an interim report due by March.