All dairy goats must be tattooed before they can be accepted for registry or recordation in the herd books of the American Dairy Goat Association.

It is strongly recommended that all breeds be tattooed in the ears, except the LaMancha which should be tattooed in the tail web. A maximum of four letters and/or numerals are allowed for your assigned tattoo sequence. However, no tattoos will be assigned utilizing one letter followed by a number(s), e.g., K2, D347.

Effective June 1, 2002, members are required to use the tattoo sequence assigned to their membership identification number. They may not use a sequence assigned to someone else.

If a new membership application is not accompanied by a tattoo application, ADGA will assign a tattoo sequence of their choice to the member. The assigned tattoo, if unacceptable, can be changed within 30 days of certification. There is no charge for this service. Your assigned tattoo sequence should be used in the RIGHT ear, right tail, or center tail.

You must use your assigned herd-identifying tattoo letters on any animal born in your herd. It is strongly recommended that animals be tattooed BEFORE they are sold or purchased.

One method of individual identification recommended by ADGA for use in the LEFT ear, left tail, or center tail, is to use a letter designating the year of birth - "R"-2002, "S"-2003, "T"-2004, etc. (letters G, I, O, Q, and U are not used) - together with a serial number to designate the order of birth. For example, the first, second, and third kids born into the herd during 2003 should have as their tattoos "S1", "S2", and "S3".

The tattoo will be the permanent identification and will apply to all ADGA programs requiring identification of animals by their tattoo including, but not limited to, registration, linear appraisal, production testing and show.

More information on tattooing can be found in Article VII of the Bylaws and the appendix of the American Dairy Goat Association Guidebook.