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Yes. Ritchey tags are proudly manufactured in Brighton, Colorado, using American sourced materials and labor. Supporting Ritchey means supporting American ranchers and workers.
Ritchey tags are suitable for use in herd-level management in conjunction with USDA Premises ID registration. However, for official Scrapie ID, USDA requires specific RFID or metal tags—Ritchey visual tags can be used for on-farm tracking alongside those.
Yes. While Ritchey tags are visual (not RFID), many producers use them in traceability programs by maintainingaccurate records. Our tags are especially valuable in long-term disease management due to their lifelong readability.
We ship blank ear tags within 7 to 10 business days PLUS shipping time and custom engraved ear tags in 4 weeks PLUS shipping time. Remember, lead time = from the time the order is taken to the time the order ships. Our lead time does not include the time it takes to ship the product.
We implemented the 3D ear tag designer to provide you more power over what information to put on your livestock ID tags. In our first release we were able to cover 90% of normal use cases. Here is an instructional video on how to use it Ritchey 3D Tag Maker. If you're struggling with the new tool, can't figure out how to use it, or it doesn't provide you with the template you're looking for, just give us a call at 1-800-EAR-TAGS or email us at sales@ritcheytags.com. It's no problem at all. We're always happy to help you!
Absolutely. Unlike printed or laser-etched tags that can fade over time, Ritchey’s engraved tags provide permanent, high-contrast lettering that never wears off—ideal for producers who rely on long-term ID.
Yes. We create fully customized tags for show animals, registered breeders, and branded beef producers who want visual consistency and long-term identification.
If you’re moving cattle across state lines or participating in USDA traceability programs, 840 RFID tags may be required. However, for in-herd identification, visual tags like Ritchey’s engraved, non-fade tags are often preferred due to their durability and readability.
Yes. Ritchey ear tags are widely used by cattle producers across the U.S. and meet the standards required by many USDA and state-level livestock identification programs. While our visual ID tags are not RFID-enabled, they are compliant for general identification and herd management purposes. Always check with your local animal health authority for specific tagging requirements.
The Ritchey large ear tags are ideal for mature cattle, cows, bulls, and bison. Medium ear tags are a perfect size for calves. Small ear tags are designed for calves too, but can be used on other small livestock such as sheep and goats. Ribbon ear tags are also used by some on sheep and goats AND for double tagging cattle.
Ritchey offers our ear tags in 14 different color combinations to help you better manage your livestock herd. Since 1964, yellow/black is by far our best selling cattle tag color followed by white/black, red/white, and black/white.
Since 1964, a yellow/black cattle tag has been our best seller by far. The numbers on these ear tags really pop and are visible from a long distance. We'd argue it's even easier to see them at night. In second place, our white/black ear tag is extremely popular for superior visibility.
Only the Ritchey tool pin, available for sale HERE, should be used to install the Ritchey "Clover" button. Using Y-Tex or Allflex tool pins with the Ritchey "Clover" button CAN lead an insertion failure. See this video for further explanation - Tool Pin Explanation
The simple answer is NO, you do not need to buy a new tagger to install Ritchey ear tags. However, it is essential that your tagger has the correct tool pin to match the button you're trying to install. Ritchey Tool pins can be easily installed in most industry taggers. Here are two How to videos for more information.
Yes. Our tags are made from durable plastic that remains flexible in cold conditions. However, it is advised to warm up the tag slightly, if even just in your coat pocket before installing.
We recommend using the animal ID number, birth year, and sire or dam initials. Some producers include ranch name, logo, or management numbers to improve traceability.
Absolutely! While it technically is possible to engrave completely through the ear tag, with a little practice, you'll be able to successfully engrave on both sides of the tag. In fact, many ranchers engrave custom information on both sides of the ear tag to help them manage their herd better. Engrave away friends!
There are several ways. 1) Use the Ritchey 3D ear tag design tool on this site. Just click on the ear tag size you want and click "Design your own Tag" 2) Email us your requests at sales@ritcheytags.com. 3) Contact us the old fashion way at 1-800-EAR-TAGS. We always love hearing from our customers.
Absolutely! You can send a PDF or jpeg file of your ranch's brand or logo to sales@ritcheytags.com and one of our Customer Success Associates will provide a proof for your approval. You can also simply call 1 800 EAR TAGS for complete details on tag customization!
No, Ritchey does not carry a stencil for engraving ear tags. If you feel you need to, try using a marker or pen to write on your ear tag as a guideline for permanently engraving or grab mailbox painting stencils.
The bits that come packaged with a Dremel tool that has not been purchased from Ritchey do not include the 1/4″ High Speed Cutter bit, which is the bit we highly recommend and found works best for engraving on the Ritchey Dual-Colored cattle ear tags.
Yes. We do not force you to buy Ritchey Clover buttons for your Ritchey ear tags. While we feel our buttons provide the best retention around, we understand you may have a favorite brand or have dozens of other buttons laying around your shop. If not a Ritchey Clover button, we recommend our standard button or AllFlex buttons for the best retention possible. Don't forget the importance of the correct tool pin! See here - Tale of the Tool Pins
The Ritchey "Clover" button is incredibly durable. They can fail in extremely cold weather if you attempt to insert a warm button in a frozen tag. We've made some major improvements since the launch of the Ritchey 1.0 "Clover" button. However, 99% of the time, a broken button usually means you're using the wrong tool pin. Ritchey "Clover" buttons MUST be installed with a Ritchey tool pin. See this video for a detailed explanation on why - Tool Pin Explanation
Hands down, we believe the Ritchey "Clover" button is the absolute best backing you can use for a two-piece Ritchey ear tag. It's innovative shape results in less snagging, better overall retention and quicker healing.
Yep! We sure do. In addition to the Clover button, we also sell the industry standard button - the one with the circle top similar to Allflex. However, you would need the standard tool pin to correctly install these buttons. Sometimes folks just like what they like.
The short answer is technically yes. Straight talk = we recommend you don't. A Y-Tex button is fantastic on a Y-Tex cattle tag. However, we redesigned the grommet on our Ritchey ear tag to work best with the Ritchey "Clover" button. The Ritchey ear tag and Clover button make for the ultimate two-piece solution when paired together.
To help avoid things getting snagged behind a cow's ear, we highly recommend the Ritchey "Clover" button. However, if you want another option to consider, our top two picks for the Ritchey ear tag would be our Standard Button or an Allflex button. A Y-Tex button is not the best choice for a Ritchey cow tag.
You sure can! Our Ritchey tags are made from a durable polyurethane material that can be beautifully marked with most laser engraving systems. Many makers and ranchers across the U.S. and beyond use hobby or shop-grade lasers to create custom cattle ear tags, ID markers, or decorative pieces.
Because every laser setup is a little different, we always recommend testing on a spare tag first to dial in your look. You’ll get the best results once you find that perfect balance of power and speed for your particular machine.
Great question — and one we hear all the time!
There are plenty of reliable hobby and professional laser brands out there,
including xTool, Glowforge, OMTech, Thunder, Epilog, and Boss. Most of
these systems can engrave polyurethane well when dialed in correctly.
In our experience, the type of laser and your settings matter more than the brand name. For a polyurethane cattle tag, a CO₂ laser engraver usually delivers the most consistent, high-contrast results.
CO₂ lasers interact cleanly with the material surface, giving you sharp
definition without excessive melting or haze.
Diode and fiber lasers can sometimes mark polyurethane, but they typically don’t achieve the same crisp contrast or even coverage that a CO₂ beam can produce.
When you’re comparing machines, we recommend focusing on:
A quick look at Google or YouTube reviews from other makers and ranchers can tell you a lot about real-world performance and reliability.
Ultimately, every laser behaves a little differently — beam focus, optics, software, and even humidity can change the outcome. The best approach is to start with a CO₂ system, run small test engravings on a spare tag, and fine-tune your power, speed, and focus until you find your sweet spot.
Your brand of laser matters less than your willingness to experiment — that’s where the magic happens.
Each laser model has its own personality, so there’s no one-size-fits-all recipe — and that’s part of the fun!
The perfect combination of power, speed, focus, and passes depends on your specific laser wattage and setup.
Here’s our best maker tip:
If your machine has air assist, keep it on low for cleaner engraving, and make sure your focus is spot-on.
Pro tip: A light pass often gives a sharp, dark mark without melting the edges.
Always engrave in a well-ventilated area — polyurethane is a safe material to laser in small batches, but good airflow helps keep fumes down and results cleaner.
And of course, wear appropriate eye protection and follow your laser
manufacturer’s safety guidelines.
Note: Laser settings and results can vary between machines, models, and materials. The information above is provided as general guidance for Ritchey ear tags. We recommend testing your own setup to achieve the best results for your equipment.
Custom engraved cattle tags have a 3-4 week lead time before being shipped from our Colorado facility. *Lead times may vary slightly during peak seasons.
Yes, we do ship to Canada along with many other countries. Customers are responsible for all shipping fees, duties, and taxes. All transactions are made in US Dollars.
For shipping our ear tags and accessories, Ritchey uses USPS (United States Postal Service) and FedEx for shipping. Based on the size of your order you will be presented with the applicable shipping options at checkout.
No. Our lead times are defined as the time between when an order is taken and when it ships. Expedited shipping will only shorten shipping time.
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