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4-H clover Dakota County 4-H animal ID and ear tag process

It’s time to start working with your 4-H animal projects. We hope you find your projects both challenging and rewarding. 

All 4-H animal projects will need to be identified, including breeding heifers, cow/calf pairs, prospect calves (steers and heifers), dairy, dairy goats, dog, horse, llama-alpaca, meat goats, poultry (doves and pigeons), rabbits, sheep and swine.   Information on identifying 4-H horse and dog projects will be posted soon.

By May 15, 2023, you must own your animal, apply the appropriate ID, and enter the animal information into 4-H Online. 

Read the Dakota County Animal ID letter for more details and to order ear tags.

Identification steps

  1. Read through the appropriate information sheet for the animal(s) that you will be identifying and the Minnesota 4-H AnSci Updates for 2023. These documents include information for identification, animal project rules, classes, state fair participation and more. You can find your species information sheet on the 4-H animal ID page. Note: Horse does not have an information sheet.
  2. Do you need a 4-H ear tag? If so, complete the ear tag order form.  All market project animals, commercial animals and prospect calves will need a 4-H ear tag. If you're not sure an ear tag is needed, double-check the 2023 Minnesota 4-H Animal Science Identification Requirements table. Taggers are also available to check out for use; request to use an ear tagger when ordering ear tags.
  3. If your animal is leased, you must upload a completed Minnesota 4-H Lease Information Form into 4-H Online by May 15, 2023, with 4-H Online ID information. Note: Market animals may not be leased. 
  4. Locate the appropriate species ID worksheet on the 4-H animal ID page to assist you in collecting the required ID information for entering your animal information into 4-H Online. 
  5. Enter your animal identification information into 4-H Online by May 15, 2023. Note: All market beef should have been identified by February 15, 2023.  Need help?  Utilize the Animal ID’ing in 4-H Online guide. If you are unable to enter your information into 4-H Online, please bring your completed ID worksheet to the Extension Office for assistance in entering your ID information into 4-H Online by the end of business day on May 15, 2023.

Please contact Rachel Rezac (reza0027@umn.edu) or Jessica Beissel (reed0324@umn.edu) if you have questions.

Find more information on animal IDs.

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