NLID

National Livestock Identification for Dairy (NLID)

Through a comprehensive National Livestock Identification program, every dairy animal in Canada is identified with nationally approved tags inscribed with a lifetime number. This means all newborn animals-- male or female-- are tagged with the same system. In the event of any disease suspicions or outbreaks, this system is the first step in a trace-back and tracking system to rapidly uncover, contain, and eliminate all major diseases and food safety threats in Canada. The number of animals nationally identified at the farm level continues to increase, due in part to the convenience of national security ear tagging, adopted initially as an alternative to sketches and photos. Tagging complements a national health and traceability system. Animals to be registered in the Herdbook must be individually identified at birth by two approved ear tags/devices properly attached and uniquely numbered. A sketch or photo may also be incorporate at the time of registration free of charge.

National Livestock Identification for Dairy (NLID) is the umbrella organization for the coordination and collaboration of all dairy tagging in Canada. NLID distributes tags to all dairy producers in Canada, except Québec where tags are issued by Attestra.

With consumers expectations for food safety and human health on the rise, NLID and ATQ tags give Canadian dairy producers and the industry an advantage in:

1. Marketing quality food and premium products;
2. Providing domestic and global market access;
3. Assuring consumer confidence.

DairyTrace Tags

1. Online through your HAC web account
2. Calling DairyTrace at 1-866-558-7223
3. Print and complete the Tag Order Form For Dairy Cattle and mail/fax back to:
   • DairyTrace
   • Box 2065
   • Brantford, Ontario
   • N3T 5W5
   • Fax: 519-756-3502

If any animal on your farm lost their original tags, please contact DairyTrace to re-order them. If lost due to normal wear and tear, replacements are issued with original type lifetime numbers at no additional costs.

Frequently Asked Questions: New White Single Button Tag
Re-issue Tag Order Form for Dairy Cattle

Attestra Tags

Attestra tags for animals in the province of Quebec can be ordered by calling 1-866-270-4319 or visiting the Attestra website.

For animals born in Québec and now residing in another province, producers may contact DairyTrace to purchase tags. These would carry the animals' original lifetime number and a herd management number, which in turn becomes the animal's registration number once registered.