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>>>It's called the National Animal Identification System. It seeks to assign each animal a 15-digit ID number and physical tag such as a radio-frequency device. So far it's voluntary, but it's slated to be mandatory in 2009 for any animal that moves from one property to another (i.e. if they're sold, borrowed, displayed at a fair, or just wander around a lot.)

Not necessarily.

Excerpt:

Two States Set Premises Registration Deadlines; USDA Launches ID System Web Site

Both Wisconsin and Indiana have set deadlines for registering livestock premises as part of the National Animal Identification System (NAIS). Wisconsin, the first state to mandate premises registration, has set a Nov. 1, 2005, deadline, though they have proposed a "compliance window" after that date with certain groups being phased in. See their web site for details: http://datcp.state.wi.us/ah/agriculture/animals/premises/premises_registration.h\ tml

In Indiana beginning Sept. 1, 2006, premises registration will be required for "each person that buys, sells or exhibits livestock".

Individuals must obtain a premises ID number for each of their Indiana premises. Certain species, including camelids are exempt from this deadline, though they may register voluntarily. See their web site for details: http://www.in.gov/boah/

Currently, premises registration is underway in 46 states with registration systems expected to be fully operational in all 50 states by the end of 2005.