Video: Advancing Swine Disease Traceability: USDA's No-Cost RFID Tag Program for Market Channels
On-demand webinar, hosted by the Meat Institute, experts from the USDA, National Pork Board (NPB) and Merck Animal Health introduced the no-cost 840 RFID tag program—a five-year initiative supported through African swine fever (ASF) preparedness efforts. Beginning in Fall 2025, eligible sow producers, exhibition swine owners and State Animal Health Officials can order USDA-funded RFID tags through Merck A2025-10_nimal Health.
NPB staff also highlighted an additional initiative, funded by USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Veterinary Services through NPB, that helps reduce the cost of transitioning to RFID tags across the swine industry and strengthens national traceability efforts.
Topics Covered:
•USDA’s RFID tag initiative background and current traceability practices
•How to access and order no-cost 840 RFID tags
•Equipment support for tag readers and panels
•Implementation timelines for market and cull sow channels How RFID improves ASF preparedness an