ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION IN NCDHIP
DAIRY HERD IMPROVEMENT
1985
DICKINSON, F.N., & CRANDALL, B.H.
VOLUME: NCDHIP HANDBOOK
Effective animal identification is one of the most basic
requirements of a successful animal record-keeping program. The
Official Dairy Herd Improvement Rules (1986 revision) require the
following regarding identification of animals:
8. Identification of Animals
All cows must be identified quickly and accurately. Registration
certificates, VIP certificates, tattoo, grade ID certificates, and
national series eartags are not considered a quick identification.
Refusal by a member to test because of the lack of a quick and
accurate test day identification system is not permitted and is a
violation of this rule. All cows must be identified with a visible
tag, label, brand, or electronic number. All identification must be
on the cow in place prior to the beginning of milking, visible from
several feet, and must be cross-referenced to a permanent
registration, VIP or national series number. The supervisor must
verify each cow's identity with permanent identification when she
enters the herd, and at other times as necessary to assure the
accuracy of recorded data. A cow's permanent identification must be
recorded for the lactation to be Official.
The DHIA supervisor and member will be held equally responsible for
the accuracy and completeness of the identification of all cows in
the herd at all times. The member must maintain the necessary herd
records, registration papers, and animal marking systems to
positively identify the cows in the herd. These shall be made
available to the supervisor in an orderly manner. The decision of
the State DHIA Board of Directors shall be final in any questions
involving this rule.
A violation of this rule will cause all current herd and cow
records to be coded non-official, as provided for in the
Enforcement section of the Preamble to these Rules.
Rule 8 on animal identification applies equally to dairy goats and
dairy cattle in the National Cooperative Dairy Herd Improvement
Program (NCDHIP).
An ideal identification system would have (1) unique
identification of each animal, (2) inexpensive operational costs,
(8) minimum damage or inconvenience to the animal, and (4) adequate
identification for all onfarm and off-farm requirements.
Identification systems are used on the farm to maintain an accurate
inventory of animals, to implement management decisions on
individual animals, to fulfill requirements of NCDHIP and to
maximize benefits from NCDHIP information that would otherwise be
lost because of inaccurate or incomplete identification.
Off-farm uses of identification systems include processing and
summarizing data at the dairy records processing center (DRPC) for
herd management and for reports needed by management of the Dairy
Herd Improvement Association (DHIA), research and Extension studies
and breed association programs.
Both onfarm and off-farm uses are highly dependent on having one
or more identification systems that are computerized easily so that
individual animals can be identified uniquely and efficiently when
large amounts of data are processed or transferred between
computers. Because of the diversity of the requirements, no single
identification system has been devised yet that fulfills them all.
Types of Identification for NCDHIP
Two different kinds of identification, visible and permanent,
are required in NCDHIP because of the many different uses for
animal identification.
Visible identification. This kind of identification can be
accomplished by any practical system in which the identification
is: (1) attached to the animal, (2) unique within the herd at any
given time, (3) legible at sufficient distance to be useful and (4)
not easily lost or destroyed. Any combination of letters or numbers
is satisfactory as long as the system is cross-referenced uniquely
to a permanent identification system. The most common methods of
visible identification are plastic ear-tags and plastic or metal
tags hung on neck chains. The term "label" in Rule 8 includes the
use of grease pencils, paint sticks and chalk in states where the
state DHIA accepts those methods of visible identification. Many
other methods are possible for attaching visible identification to
an animal, but most are more expensive or entail greater risk of
infection than do eartags or neck-chain tags. Some of these other
methods of visible identification that occasionally are used in
NCDHIP include neck straps, anklet straps, brisket tags, flank
tags, tail tags, branding (freeze, hot or chemical) and various
types of electronic identification (either implanted in the animal
or attached externally). Tattoos are not acceptable as visible
identification.
Permanent identification. Three different numbering systems
exist for permanent NCDHIP identification: (1) registration
numbers, (2) Verified Identification Program (VIP) numbers and (3)
uniform series eartag numbers. Within-breed registration numbers
appear on registration certificates with a picture or sketch of the
animal (or a tattoo) and the animal's registration number, birth
date, and sire, dam and owner information. Registration numbers are
assigned by the breed associations to animals that are eligible for
enrollment in a herdbook. The VIP numbering system is sponsored by
National DHIA to provide authenticated identification information
primarily for grade cows. Uniform series eartag numbers are on
small metal eartags that are clipped permanently to each cow's ear.
The numbering systems are unique to each state and are administered
by the state DHIA. Each cow's number is recorded in the dairy
producer's herd records. The uniform series eartag numbers
originally were developed for disease control and have proved to be
satisfactory for permanent and unique identification of grade
animals in NCDHIP.
For NCDHIP, each animal must be identified by one of the three
permanent identification systems so that NCDHIP data, especially
from the official recordkeeping plans, have a suitable degree of
authenticity and usefulness. Visible identification should be
attached to the animal at all times, and the visible identification
number should be the same as the control number on the prelisted
barnsheet. The Official Dairy Herd Improvement Rules require that
the herd owner cooperate with the DHIA supervisor by making
available the permanent identification of all animals in the herd,
as well as other data that are essential to operating each dairy
recordkeeping program in an orderly fashion.
Computerization of NCDHIP Identification
Summarization of NCDHIP data has been computerized since the
early 1950's. Currently, virtually all NCDHIP data are processed at
one of the nine regional DRPC's. Although NCDHIP data are valuable
management information for each NCDHIP participant, they also are
used for a multitude of other purposes to benefit dairy producers
on a state, regional and national basis. These other uses require
that a high degree of standardization exists for recording NCDHIP
data through-out the country. Animal identification probably is the
most rigidly standardized data because it is so vital for the
integrity and usefulness of the data and for the transfer of data
among NCDHIP cooperators. The basic format for permanent NCDHIP
identification information is in Figure 1.
A animal's species, breed and identification number must be
known for that animal to be identified fully and uniquely.
The species code usually is used only for data processing,
including the transfer of data from one computer to another. In
most printed material, the species code usually is omitted because
the context of the material makes the species obvious. Species
codes for NCDHIP are in Table 1. The species code is a one-position
numeric field in data processing media.
Breed codes for NCDHIP are in Table 2. The breed code is a
one-position alphabetic field. Some of the same letters are used
for breed codes for dairy cattle and dairy goats. Therefore, the
correct species code is required in computerized records for proper
animal identification. The alphabetic breed codes are used widely
outside of data processing and may be seen quite commonly in
printed material.
The first two positions of the nine-position animal number are
called the identification prefix code and contain numerical
information only; that is, blanks or the digits 0 through 9. The
prefix codes are significant because they are used to identify
different groups of animals. The codes 11-16,
21-23,28,31-35,41-43,45-48,50-52,54-59,61,63-66,71-75,81-88 and
91-96 are used to identify the state or foreign country that is the
source of an animal's identification for animals that are not
registered in one of the U.S. breed association herdbooks The
interpretation of the other animal identification prefix codes is
in Table 3.(See Fact Sheet H-11 for the complete set of
identification prefix codes 00-99.)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
N A N N A/N A/N A/N N N N N
Species Breed Animal Number
TABLE 1. Species codes for NCDHIP data processing.
Code Species
0 Dairy cattle
1 Dairy goats
TABLE 2. Breed codes for dairy cattle and dairy goats.
Species Code Breed
Cattle A Ayrshire
B Brown Swiss
D Red Dane
E Dutch Belted
G Guernsey
H Holstein
J Jersey
M Milking Shorthorn
N Norwegian Red
P Red Poll
S Simmental
U Unknown
V Gelbvieh
W Red and White
X Mixed breed
Goat A Alpine
B Oberhasli
E Experimental(crossbred)
L LaMancha
N Nubian
P Pygmy
S Saanen
T Toggenburg
U Unknown
X Mixed breed
Positions 3-9 of the permanent number uniquely identify the
animal within the appropriate prefix code. Positions 3,4 and 5 can
be either alphabetic or numeric. Animals identified as VIP have a
single alphabetic character in position 3 followed by 6 numeric
characters Animals registered with any of the U.S. breed
associations or Canadian or Channel Islands registry associations
(prefix codes 00-04) must have 7 numeric characters in positions
3-9. Grade animals identified in the United States or Canada
(prefix code 05 and many of the state and country prefix codes)
must have 3 alphabetic characters in positions 3-5 followed by 4
numeric characters. Examples of animal identification numbers
appropriate for each of the prefix codes for dairy cattle are in
Table 4.
TABLE 3. Identification prefix codes in
unique 9-position number assigned to each
animal.(1)
Code Interpretation
[b][b](2) Animal recorded in Verified Identification
Program, (VIP)
00 U.S. registered animal with number less than
10 million
01 U.S. registered animal with number in
10-million range
02 U.S. registered animal with number in
20-million range
03 U.S. registered animal with number in
30-million range
04 Canadian or Channel Islands registered
animal
05 Canadian grade animal
06-17(3) U.S. grade or foreign country
18-20 U.S. dairy goats 4
21-35(3) U.S. grade or foreign country
36-37 U.S. identity enrollment program
38-99(3) U.S. grade or foreign country 4
(1) State and foreign country codes explained in further
detail in Fact Sheet H-11.
(2) [b]= blank.
(3) Series contains some unassigned numbers.
(4) For interpretation for dairy goats, see Table 5.
The identification of dairy goats in NCDHIP has presented special
problems because of the complexity of the herdbook recording
systems used by the dairy goat associations. The American Dairy
Goat Association (ADGA) maintains five herdbooks, four of which
have considerable overlap for the breeds represented. The American
Goat Society (AGS) maintains herdbooks for six breeds, all except
one of which also are represented in the ADGA herdbooks. In
addition, unrecorded grades are possible for dairy goats, the same
as for dairy cattle. The use of animal numbering systems for dairy
goats in NCDHIP can be explained best through figures and examples
because a narrative explanation would be extremely lengthy and
complex. Table 5 shows the identification prefix codes for the
various dairy goat herdbooks. These prefix codes along with the
remainder of the animal's identification number provide unique
identification for dairy goats. The prefix codes can be interpreted
correctly by computer equipment only if the records contain the
proper species code"1" and the alphabetic breed code appropriate
for the particular breed of dairy goat. Table 6 shows the
configuration of the registration certificate number for the
various dairy goat herdbooks and the breed code and animal
identification number that correspond for NCDHIP.
TABLE 4. Examples of animal identification numbers for
dairy: cattle (species code=0) in NCDHIP by position
number.
Position
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
[b](1) [b] C 1 2 3 4 5 6
0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
0 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
0 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
0 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
0 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
0 5 A B C 4 5 6 7
1 1 A B C 1 2 3 4
3 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
3 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
(1) [b] = blank.
TABLE 5: Identification prefix codes for dairy
goats (species code = 1) in NCDHIP:
Code Group
00 American Dairy Goat Association (ADGA)
herdbooks for purebred animals
ADGA herdbooks for experimental animals
ADGA recorded grades
18 ADGA American herdbooks
19 ADGA British herdbooks
20 American Coat Society herdbooks
State(1) Unrecorded grades (no herdbook)
(1) Uniform state code series number appearing on eartag; see
Fact Sheet H-11 for further explanation.
Note that NCDHIP numbering systems for dairy goats are similar to
those for dairy cattle except for ADGA experimental grades and
recorded grades for which the letter "G" is included as the first
position in the seven-digit identification number. The dairy goat
identification system in Table 6 has been extremely useful
throughout NCDHIP and has led to a significant increase in the
percentage of dairy goats that are identified correctly.
Many animals are enrolled in NCDHIP without identified sire or
dam at the time of enrollment. Two methods are available for
reporting that identification of a sire or dam is unknown (Table
7). A "presently unknown" identification number is one that is not
readily available but may become available or one that little or no
effort was made to obtain. Presently unknown identification should
be reported as all zeros for both the prefix code and the animal
number. A "confirmed unknown" identification number is one that the
herd owner and DHIA supervisor agree is impossible to determine
and, therefore, will never be available. Confirmed (or permanent)
unknown identification should be reported as the appropriate state
code followed by "UNKOOOO"; these numbers should never be changed
to a known identification number. This alternative for reporting
permanently unknown parent identification was developed so that
DHIA supervisors could certify that they had attempted to determine
sire or dam identification and no reasonable expectation existed
that the identification ever would be available. Therefore,
confirmed unknown identification does not count against a DHIA
supervisor's performance in states where incentive bonuses are
awarded in part on the basis of the percentage of cows correctly
and completely identified.
TABLE 6: Examples of animal identification numbers for dairy goats (species
code=1) in NCDHIP:
Registration NCHIP identification
certificate Breed Prefix Animal
Group Breed number code code number
Purebred (American Alpine A234167 A 00 0234167
Dairy Goat Association; Nubian N234168 N 00 0234168
ADGA) Saanen S234169 S 00 0234169
Toggenburg T234170 T 00 0234170
American (ADGA) Alpine AMA3942 A 18 0003942
LaMancha L4876 L 18 0004876
Nubian AMN3209 N 18 0003209
Saanen AMS2393 S 18 0002393
Toggenburg AMT2867 T 18 0002867
British(ADGA) Alpine BA47 A 19 0000047
Saanen BS323 S 19 0000323
Toggenburg BT452 T 19 0000452
Experimental (ADGA) Experimental E2327 E 00 0002327
Grade
Experimental Grd E1083 E 00 C001083
Recorded grade (ADGA) Alpine Grd A7422 A 00 C007422
LaMancha Grd L1075 L 00 G001075
Nubian Grd N8852 N 00 C008852
Saanen Grd S5908 S 00 C005908
Toggenburg Grd T4908 T 00 C004908
Registered (American Alpine A034167 A 20 0034167
Goat Society) LaMancha L034168 L 20 0034168
Nubian N034169 N 20 0034169
Pygmy P034170 P 20 0034170
Saanen S034171 S 20 0034171
Toggenburg T034172 T 20 0034172
Unrecorded grade Alpine None A 51(1) XYZ1234
LaMancha None L 51 XYZ1235
Nubian None N 51 XYZ1236
Saanen None S 51 XYZ1237
Toggenburg None T 51 XYZ1238
Unknown None U 51 XYZ1239
(1) Uniform staff code series number spearing on eartag; 51 is the staff code for
Maryland (see Fact Sheet H-11 for further explanation).
TABLE 7: Examples of reported parent identification numbers
for animals with unknown sire or dam identification.
Parent identification
Prefix
Parent identification status code Number
Presently unknown(1) 00 0000000
Confirmed (permanent) unknown(2) 51(3) UNK0000
(1) Identification may become available or little effort made
to obtain identification.
(2) Certified by DHIA supervisor and herd owner.
(3) Uniform state code series number appearing on eartag; 51
is the staff code for Maryland (see Fact Sheet H-11 for
further explanation).
Summary
Complete and unique identification of each animal is one of the
most basic characteristics of a successful animal recordkeeping
program. Correct identification means that maximum usefulness cam
be obtained from dairy records at all levels of the program, but
especially for the dairy producer who is using records for herd
management and improvement.
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תתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתThe National Dairy Database (1992)תתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתת
תתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתת\NDB\DAIRY\TEXT\DA100500.TXTתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתת
%f TITLE;ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION IN NCDHIP
%f COLLECTION;DAIRY HERD IMPROVEMENT
%f ORIGIN;Maryland
%f DATE_INCLUDED;June 1992