01/16/2021
Coming this year to your Michigan swine shows!
The state no longer provides those previously used official swine ID tags. When the fairs run out of those previously used tags, they will be replaced by the button tag with or without the RFID tag. These tags all start with 840 as their number. They all have the US shield on them. Your pig must be tagged with official identification for fairs or exhibition in the state of Michigan.
If you have cattle, you are familiar with the process and already have a National Premises Identification Number. If you have not already been assigned a number you will need to call the MDARD office to be assigned one.
Now if your pig comes from a producer tagged and stays tagged throughout the show season, nothing further needs to be done. If it falls out or is removed it must be replaced. You will need that Prem ID number to purchase new tags. The number on the tag and information of the pig needs to be recorded and kept for five years. Please do not wait until fair check in to get this Prem ID number.
The purpose of this is for disease tracing. In the rare occasion that state officials need to identify exposed animals, your meticulous record keeping streamlines the process.
If you show swine at only your local fair, there is the possibility they have tags left over. Some unfortunately do not and have already began informing their exhibitors of these changes.
If you are intending to attend multiple shows this season, this will affect you.
If you are showing a pet potbelly, they may be allowed to be microchipped.
Here's wishing all of our exhibitors a blessed show season! Have fun and learn something.
