The Texas Nationalist Movement strongly supports the concerns raised by Texas ranchers and the Farm & Ranch Freedom Alliance regarding the new USDA mandate on electronic ear tags for cattle and bison. This federal regulation, set to take effect in November, mandates that cattle and bison crossing state lines must have ear tags that are both visually and electronically readable. While presented as a measure to safeguard animal health, this policy imposes significant financial burdens on small ranchers, benefiting large-scale producers and multinational corporations.

Texas rancher Doug Havemann, who operates Mesquite Field Farm near San Antonio, pointed out that the new tagging rule is reminiscent of the failed National Animal Identification System (NAIS) from 2010, which faced widespread opposition from small ranchers. Under the new rule, small producers would incur costs for the electronic tags, priced at $20 each, without receiving adequate compensation. This financial strain threatens the viability of small-scale ranching operations, a core part of Texas’s agricultural heritage and economy.

According to the USDA, electronic identification and records for livestock movement are essential for rapid tracing and response to animal diseases. However, critics argue that the real motive behind the policy is to facilitate the interests of major food producers like Cargill, who support the rule primarily to enhance their overseas market reach. For small producers who sell their products within the country, this mandate represents an unjust financial imposition.

Although the USDA claims that EID tags will be available at no cost through State Veterinarian’s Offices, the supply and duration of this support remain uncertain. The Texas Animal Health Commission confirmed that the no-cost tag program would only last as long as dedicated funding is available, leaving small farmers vulnerable once supplies dwindle.

Judith McGeary, executive director of the Farm & Ranch Freedom Alliance, criticized the rule as a “cash grab” for multinational meatpacking corporations and technology firms under the guise of animal health and food safety. The added costs of the electronic tags, along with the need for manual recordkeeping, do not address the supposed problem of inefficiencies in the current system.

FARFA and 46 other agricultural organizations have united in opposition to this rule, highlighting its disproportionate impact on independent ranchers and small farmers. The mandate for both electronic and visual tags is seen as a precursor to a fully electronic system, which would impose even greater costs for the necessary infrastructure, including scanners, software, and reliable internet service.

This USDA rule exemplifies the ongoing struggle between small, independent producers and larger corporate interests. The Texas Nationalist Movement continues to advocate for the independence of Texas, supporting policies that protect our local farmers and ranchers from overreaching federal regulations that favor big business at the expense of small enterprises.