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Maryland Department of Agriculture

Fair & show requirements for sheep

General requirements for all sheep

Identification for Sheep: All sheep must be officially scrapie-identified. 

Official identification for sheep include the following:

  1. USDA-approved eartags;
  2. Legible registration tattoos, for which the registration paper shall accompany the animals; or
  3. Legible tattoos consisting of an individual animal number unique within the flock in one ear and the official scrapie premises identification number (flock ID) in the other ear, except that the tail web or flank may be used for earless animals or animals with damaged ears and must be accompanied by an owner statement.
  4. A microchip ID is acceptable if the owner provides the reader.

Maryland and out-of-state sheep

No additional requirements.

Market lambs

It is recommended that all lambs be slick shorn prior to entry for inspection for club lamb fungus.

Fair & show requirements for goats

General requirements for all goats

Identification Goats: All goats must be officially scrapie-identified. Official identification for goats include the following:

  1. USDA-approved eartags;
  2. Legible registration tattoos, for which the registration paper shall accompany the animals; or
  3. Legible tattoos consisting of an individual animal number unique within the flock in one ear and the official scrapie premises identification number (flock ID) in the other ear, except that the tail web or flank may be used for earless animals or animals with damaged ears and must be accompanied by an owner statement.
  4. A microchip ID is acceptable if the owner provides the reader.

Maryland goats

  • Brucellosis: Maryland is a Brucellosis Class-Free State. Brucellosis testing is not required for Maryland goats.
  • Tuberculosis: Maryland is an Accredited Tuberculosis-Free State. Tuberculin test is not required for Maryland goats.

Out-of-state goats

Tuberculosis:

  1. Accredited Tuberculosis Free States, Region or Zone:  No tuberculin test required.
  2. Modified Accredited Advanced or lower Tuberculosis Free Areas or States (Not TB Free
  3. All goats over 6 months of age shall comply with the following:
  4. Goats must originate from herds in which all animals are tested negative within past 12 months; progeny from such herds born since that test, may be imported without a tuberculin test, or
  5. Any individual animal entering Maryland must have a negative tuberculin test within 60 days before import.
  6. Status of herd and area must be shown on certificate

How to obtain a Flock ID & Scrapie Tags

To request official sheep and goat tags, a flock or premises ID, or both, call 1-866-USDA-Tag (866-873-2824). 

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