Ear tags approved by the new Canadian Cattle Identification Agency won’t be overflowing the shelves of local farm supply stores.
Distributors say only a few larger retailers are ordering tags to keep on hand.
Most veterinary supply and retail outlets handling the products are special ordering for individual producers.
“Most of the smaller dealers are special ordering the tags. They don’t want to end up with a lot on hand of a type producers aren’t buying,” said John Epp, of Kane Veterinary Supplies in Edmonton.
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Kane is a distributor for Allflex tags, one of the tag manufacturers.
Epp said only a few of his company’s larger customers have the CCIA tags on the shelf.
There are 12 approved tags – 10 dangle type plastic tags and two electronic button tags.
Distributors say the most popular dangle tags are the larger sizes – 7.5 by 7.5 centimetres – which leave room for additional information such as brand and animal number.
Larry Neufeld of Taylor’s Feeds at the Saskatoon Auction Market said tag sales are starting to pick u-10-P. He has chosen to keep an inventory of tags on hand.
“My big fear is that with that Jan. 1 deadline looming, there will be a big run on them late in December … I’m probably just going to bring in a whole bunch so I can keep up with demand.”
Neufeld said he carries two brands, but expects that he may eventually need to carry all of the approved tags.
“Some guys want to use these and their own tags. Some want one tag and will add their numbers to it. I was hoping to get a feel for it, but now I think we’ll just have to see which ones go fastest.”
Many dealers have chosen to special order rather than stock the tags.
Bob Stewart, president of the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association, said he has heard of several producers who are “cheesed off” because they couldn’t get tags at their local dealers without placing a special order.
“The dealers really do have to get their act together and get a good selection (in their stores.) Sure, some producers resent taking part in the program, but most are willing.
“But they want to be able to see a good selection and then be able to buy what they need and have them in hand when they leave the store.”
The dangle tags cost between $1.20 and $2, depending on type, size and manufacturer.
