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Swine

Moving Swine Under Indiana's Animal Disease Traceability Rule

Swine should bear only ONE official ear tag per animal, placed in either ear.

  • NOTE: In addition to one official ear tag, the animal may bear an approved official tattoo, approved USDA back tag, registered ear notches, and/or GIN.

For swine entry requirements other than identification go to: www.in.gov/boah/species-information/swinepigs/swine-entry-requirements/

What is Official Swine ID in Indiana?

The Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) recognizes the following forms of identification as official for swine.

NOTE: Some forms are acceptable for exhibition, while others are only for approved commercial group/lot movements. Exhibitors should always contact the show manager to verify what form(s) of ID are acceptable for a specific event.

  • 840 Tags
    • May or may not be an RFID (radio frequency device)
    • 15 digits, beginning with "840" with US shield
    • Various available styles allow other information, such as management numbers
    • Approved for exhibition use
  • NUE (brite) Tags
    • National Uniform Ear Tagging System with 8 or 9 alpha-numeric number
    • Steel or plastic tag options must include the US shield
    • Approved for exhibition use
  • PIN Tags
    • Premises Identification Number (PIN) tags are intended for culling breeding swine
      NOTE: To be official for interstate movement and exhibition, PIN tags MUST include a premises number and unique animal ID imprinted by the manufacturer.
      • (Standard PIN tags usually do not include an individual ID number; therefore, owners need to specify when ordering.)
    • Approved for exhibition use
  • Registry Tattoo
    • Must be recorded in a swine registry association's book of record
    • Ear or inner flank
    • Approved for exhibition use
  • Registered Ear Notches
    • Must be recorded by a purebred registry association's book of records
    • Approved for exhibition use

    (NOTE: USDA backtags are considered official within slaughter channels.)

Forms of ID Approved for Group/Lot Commercial Movements

  • Official Tattoo
    • For slaughter swine only, as described in 9CFR 71.19 (not sows or boars)
    • Must be approved by State Veterinarian
    • At least 4 characters
  • Premises ID Number Tattoo
    • Does not include individual animal number
    • Only for slaughter and feeder swine
    • PIN assigned by the State veterinarian
  • Other ID Formats: Group Identification Number (GIN)

    All animals must meet the following criteria:

    • For pigs born and raised on the same premises and
    • Moving in the group directly to a slaughter facility and
    • Not mixed with swine from other premises from birth to slaughter and
    • Slaughtered one after another as a group, not mixed with other pigs at slaughter
    • Appears on documents moving with pigs; GIN number/tags do not have to be attached to pigs
    • May be used for pigs moving within a production system across state lines following various restrictions (contact State Veterinarian for details)
  • Location-Based Numbering System Tags
    • Either a premises identification number (PIN) or location identification number (LID) with a unique herd management number
      • e.g. PA1234 0012
    • May be metal or plastic
  • Premises Identification Number tag (PIN Tag)
    • Intended for use on swine going to slaughter
    • No individual animal identification number is required
    • If the tag includes a unique management number imprinted by manufacturer, the tag would also qualify as a location-based number tag and be official for interstate movement of individual animals

Important Information About PIN Tags


Beginning Jan. 1, 2015, many major U.S. pork packers and processors began requiring a USDA-approved, official premises identification number (PIN) swine tag on all breeding swine they purchase.

PIN tags are applied to breeding stock prior to going to slaughter as a means to do a post-slaughter trace. Tags are considered official ID, and must not be removed at any point in the life of the animal. Application of the PIN tags is the responsibility of the producer. The number on the tag coincides with the premises ID number of the farm the sow or boar was on prior to harvest. In Indiana, the premID number is issued by the Indiana State Board of Animal Health.

Packers/processors that have announced a PIN tag requirement in all breeding swine include: Johnsonville, Hillshire Brands, Calihan Pork Processors, Bob Evans Farms, Wampler's Farm Sausage, Pine Ridge Farms, Pioneer Packing Co., Pork King Packing, and Abbyland Pork Pack.

Industry-wide Information on PIN Tags

Swine PIN Tags Animal Health Advisory

Updated Dec. 3, 2014