An
ear tag is a plastic or metal object used for
identification of domestic
livestock and other animals. If the ear tag uses Radio Frequency Identification Device (
RFID) technology it is referred to as an
electronic ear tag. Electronic ear tags conform to international standards
ISO 11784 and
ISO 11785 working at 134.2 kHz, as well as
ISO/IEC 18000-6C operating in the UHF spectrum. There are other non-standard systems such as Destron working at 125 kHz. Although there are many shapes of ear tags, the main types in current use are as follows:
- Flag-shaped ear tag: two discs joined through the ear, one or both bearing a wide, flat plastic surface on which identification details are written or printed in large, easily legible script.
- Button-shaped ear tag: two discs joined through the ear.
- Plastic clip ear tag: a moulded plastic strip, folded over the edge of the ear and joined through it.
- Metal ear tag: an aluminium, steel or brass rectangle with sharp points, clipped over the edge of the ear, with the identification stamped into it.