Supply chain disruptions caused by material and labor shortages have continued to create a backlog on ear tag supplies.
As of Nov. 14, CattleTags.com stated, “Allflex USA is continuing to experience extensive production delays along with global inventory shortages and transportation challenges.” The company posted an update on the estimated time frame for shipping, showing a delay of up to 20 weeks for many of the products.
Allflex announced it was converting an animal health manufacturing plant in Baton Rouge, LA to an ear tag production facility as of September 2022. The Baton Rouge plant will become another ear tag supplier in addition to the existing site in Dallas, TX, to support increased product demand.
According to Dairy Herd, PBS Animal Health recently acknowledged the shortage, noting, “Tags are incredibly hard to find, and some farmers have been waiting for months to receive their orders. The shortage makes it more difficult for producers to keep important records.”
If producers can’t find radio-frequency identification tags, state veterinarians can supply them due to USDA’s 2020 agreement to purchase up to 8 million tags.
