The right tool for the tag

Why your applicator is an important link in the traceability chain 

Every cattle, sheep and goat producer knows the importance of getting an NLIS approved tag into an animal's ear before it leaves the property. But there's a step that often gets overlooked and it quietly determines whether that tag stays put for the life of the animal. 

It starts with the applicator. 

What the standards actually say 

Before any NLIS device earns its approval, it has to earn it the hard way. Tags must complete rigorous laboratory analysis followed by a three-year field trial across multiple Australian properties, with retention assessed at six, twelve, twenty-four and thirty-six months. The performance data that underpins every accredited tag, the retention rate a producer relies on, was generated using one specific applicator. Not any applicator. The right one! 

Under the NLIS Animal Identification Technology requirements, ISC approves the applicator in conjunction with the tag itself. They are assessed and accredited as a matched pair. The retention guarantee attached to your tags is only valid when they are applied with the approved applicator. 

A key and a lock 

A tag and its applicator are engineered as a system. There is not a universal approved option – switching tag brands means switching applicators too. Using a worn-out tool, a borrowed applicator from another brand, or one that hasn't been checked in years introduces variables that were never part of the accreditation process. The tag might go in, but the conditions that guaranteed its retention no longer apply. 

Simple habits that protect your investment 

Tag loss frustrates producers, costs money and creates gaps in the traceability record that NLIS depends on. The good news is that this is largely within a producer's control: 

Match your applicator to your tags. Every time you order a new batch of devices, confirm you have the correct applicator for that brand and model. 

Inspect your applicator regularly. Worn, bent or dirty tools should be replaced. The cost of a new applicator is negligible compared to a lost tag or a failed compliance record. 

Train everyone who tags. If multiple people work during tagging, everyone needs to know the correct technique and be using the right equipment. 

Keep records. Knowing which tags were applied to which animals, and when, is valuable for herd management and for following up with your tag supplier if issues arise. 

Australia's livestock identification system is only as strong as its weakest link. The tag in the bag has already met the standard, make sure the way it goes into the ear does too.