November 11, 2025
2026 Kansas 4-H EID Tag Order Information
As we approach 2026, it is time to order Kansas 4-H EID livestock tags. The form-fillable tag order forms are posted on the website were emailed to local units on November 6, along with additional details regarding EID tag orders. Please email Lexie Hayes a copy of the completed and signed forms before mailing them with your payment. Beef tag orders will be due December 15, 2025, with January 15, 2026, being the deadline to order small livestock tags. The tag order deadlines have been moved up a couple of weeks over the last few years to ensure tags will be received prior to county weigh-ins, should there be a delay with the manufacturer.
Several important EID tag resources are posted on the K-State Youth Livestock Program website, under the EID Tags tab. The resources include the tag application instructions, applicator configuration, best practices for tag retention, and information on utilizing EID technology at the local level. Please make sure the person responsible for ordering and managing the livestock tags in your office is aware and receives this information.
Order Forms:
The tag order forms are posted on the KSU Youth Livestock Program website, under the EID Tag tab. Extension Units are welcome to submit one check to pay for all of their tags. However, a signed copy of both the beef and small livestock order forms should be included with the check. Make checks payable to Kansas State University.
Expired Tags:
It is important that counties/units use their oldest tags first. We have reached the point that we are repeating the 4-H visual ID tag numbers. This will make some of the older tags (greater than 5 years old) not eligible for state nominations. Tags must have been issued in 2021 or after to be eligible in animals that will be state nominated for the Kansas State Fair and/or KJLS. The expired tags may continue to be used in county fair only animals.
Special Orders:
Counties/units who plan to order beef tags this year are encouraged to do so at their earliest convenience. Tag orders received after the listed deadline will be considered a special order, and there may be a delay in getting those tags delivered. It is a several week turnaround from the time orders are received until the tags arrive on campus. Payment must accompany the tag order for it to be accepted and completed.
State Accepted Tags:
There has been no change in the 4-H/EID tags that will be accepted for nomination to the Kansas Junior Livestock show and the Kansas State Fair. The ribbon and round meat goat and sheep tags will be accepted in state nominated animals, as long as they are less than 5 years old and do not fall in the visual number series 58000-72000. You may continue to use expired tags in county fair only animals.
You can see pictures of these tags on the K-State Youth Livestock Program website. Livestock projects must be tagged by the appropriate deadline with a Kansas 4-H EID tag to be eligible for nomination and to exhibit at the Kansas State Fair and/or KJLS. This includes market animals and commercial breeding females.
Utilization of EID Technology:
Extension units who would like to use the EID technology locally, or have questions about the technology, should contact Dave Kehler directly. He will continue to be the go-to person for EID technology-related questions and information.
Tagging Records:
Extension agents and staff need to remember that these are EID tags, and specifically the beef and swine tags are official forms of identification (840 tags). So, each Extension unit will need to keep an accurate record of the animals/families in which each tag is applied, per the acknowledgement signature on the tag order form. Only Kansas 4-H 840 EID tags will be accepted in cattle and swine, with 982 tags being used in sheep and goats. If you have old cattle 982 tags, they will not be accepted for state cattle nominations. Records for 840 tags applied need to be kept for five (5) years. Additionally, an animal may only have one official 840 EID tag. So, if you have a calf or hog arrive at tagging with an 840 tag, contact the KSU Youth Livestock Program with instructions on the alternate identification process to make the animal eligible for state nomination. These animals cannot be tagged with a Kansas 4-H EID tag AND it is unlawful to remove the existing tag.
Make checks payable to: Kansas State University
Mailing Address:
KSU Youth Livestock Program
c/o Lexie Hayes
214 Weber Hall
1424 Claflin Road
Manhattan, KS 66506