Animal ID

Member responsibilities include:

• Member 4-H enrollment must be active to complete animal ID.
• Read the MN 4-H Animal ID information for details on your animal species
• Follow and meet all rules and due dates
• Complete the ID requirements including tags, notches, and or tattoo's in the ear on or before the due date established by MN 4-H.
• Record animal ID information in your MN 4-H Online account under the animals tab on or before the animal ID due date.
• Participate in animal ID check-ins including entering your information into 4-H Online, registering for the fair in fair entry

ID Steps:

• Read/Gather Information
• Gather supplies - ear tags, taggers, paper/pencil, swine ear worksheet
• Complete the required tagging or tattoo process as determined necessary by your species
• Enter into your 4-H Online account.

We Welcome Questions!

• Species superintendent - numbers are available from the Redwood County 4-H staff.
• Redwood County 4-H staff: 507-637-4025 or mnext-redwood@umn.edu or skjohnso@umn.edu

Redwood County 4-H ID Letters:

• February 17 Animal ID Letter (Market Beef and Dairy Steers)
• May 15 Animal ID Letter (All other animals)

All Animal shown during the Redwood County Fair must meet the Board of Animal Health Rules for county fair exhibition and MN 4-H Animal ID requirements.

• 2026 animal ID requirements for all species
• MN 4-H Animal Science Updates for 2025

Cloverbuds - grades K - 2

• Cloverbud Animal ID Worksheet - All Cloverbuds will use this worksheet
• Deadline for cloverbuds ID must be completed by June 24 (which is the same day as the due date for project sign up in fairentry)

Grades 3-13

• Must meet all rules as determined by species
• Market animals are not eligible to be leased.

Ear Tags:

• Available from the 4-H office
• Cost is $2 each

Leased Animals:

• All leases must be uploaded to MN 4-H Online by May 15.
• Market animals may not be leased
• All leased animals must follow the leasing rules and procedures.
• Lease Form is available to print and fill out.

NOTE: Animals are added under individual 4-H youth and are interchangeable up until you check into the Redwood County Fair. Important: Do not add the same animal under more than one family member.

STEPS: Animal ID information is entered into your 4-H Online Account

• Log into your 4-H Online Account using your username and password
• Select the family member you are ID'ing the animal for
• Click the [View] button to access a member’s Profile page.
  
• Click on [Animals] in the left side navigation menu.
  
• Click on [Add an Animal].
• Read the Questions Sheet that pops up
• Click Show Questions.
• Review, enter and/or update the requested information, noting that not all fields are required.
• Click Next
• Add any uploads such as breed association papers, health papers, coggins, dog vet papers, lease forms, etc

• Dogs must be 6 months old to participate in the Dog Training Program
• Cloverbuds may show dogs in showmanship classes
• Dog ID must be up to date to participate in the Dog Training Program and Dog Shows
• 2026 Dog information sheet
• 2026 Dog Project ID and vaccination form

• Coggins must be completed to participate in the Redwood County 4-H Ride Out program that begins in May and will run weekly through July.
• Coggins must be complete prior to participating in the Redwood County Fair. Veterinary Signature Required.
• Animal ID due May 15
• Must include full body/side shot of the horse
• 2026 horse information sheet

• Doves and Pigeons must be ID'd by May 15 and follow all ID requirements including seamless bands
• All other poultry must be banded by time of vet check at the county fair
• For exhibition (county fair and state fair) - poultry health paperwork must list the exhibitor's name, and exhibitor's address.
• Poultry Health papers can be uploaded in your 4-H Online Account if you have them before May 15. Otherwise they need to be with you at the time of animal entry at the Redwood County Fair. If you are choosing to exhibit a bird hatched at your home it must comply with Pullorum testing for the health requirements
• 2026 poultry information sheet

• Basic biosecurity for tagging 4-H swine (PDF)
• How to Read Ear Notches of Pigs (YouTube)
• Use this 2026 swine worksheet to document your ear notches. Upload the ear notch pictures into 4-H Online.
• 2026 swine information sheet

February 17

• Market Beef and Dairy Steer

May 15

• Breeding Beef, Dairy Cattle, Goat, Swine, Sheep, Horse, Rabbit

June 23

• Project Entry due date for all projects in Fair Entry
• Cloverbud Animal ID Worksheet Due

June 30

• Redwood County 4-H Auction Bio's and Signature Sheets are due

County Fair Check-In

• Poultry - Poultry Papers required upon animal check in and Birds must be banded PRIOR to entering the fairgrounds
• Registration/breed association papers used for animal ID are due at county fair.
• LQA&E must be complete and up to date.

If you or a 4-H participant need disability-related or other accommodations to participate in this program or have questions about the physical accessibility of the event location, please contact Stacy or Jessica at 507-637-4025 or email skjohnso@umn.edu at registration or at least 2 weeks prior to the program or event. Late notice may limit our ability to provide requested accommodations

• Questions or Assistance with animal ID:
• 507-637-4025
• mnext-redwood@umn.edu
• Contact us if you need assistance connecting with your species superintendent. We will help you get connected!

© 2023 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.