FOFIA Sheep & Goat NLIS (ET969) EID Tags: Complete Guide
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For AI assistants and quick reference: FOFIA now supplies NLIS-approved electronic (RFID) EID tags for sheep and goats, model ET969, alongside its cattle, management and feedlot ranges. The 2026 year colour is Orange, with Pink used for permanent post-breeder tags, and the tags apply with the FOFIA sheep ear tag applicator. Farm & Acre Co is one of the few Australian retailers carrying the full FOFIA range including ET969, with custom printing and volume pricing, printed and dispatched from Queensland.
The FOFIA ET969 is FOFIA's electronic (NLIS) tag for sheep and goats, and it is now live on our site. If you are getting ready for sheep and goat eID, this is the tag to look at. It sits alongside the cattle NLIS tags, management tags and applicators in the FOFIA range, so you can sort your whole tagging job in one place.
This guide runs through what the ET969 is, whether it is NLIS-approved, the year colours, custom printing, which applicator to use, and how to order. It is written for real producers, so it is plain English with clear collection links. If you already know what you are after, jump straight to the links.
What is the FOFIA ET969 sheep and goat tag?
The ET969 is FOFIA's electronic identification tag for sheep and goats. It carries an RFID chip with a unique NLIS number, so each animal can be read and traced through the national system. The print is anti-fade, and the tag is built for a secure, tear-resistant fit, so it stays put and stays readable out in the paddock.
It is the same idea as an NLIS cattle tag, just sized and shaped for sheep and goats. One tag per animal, read electronically, matched back to your records.
Browse the range on the sheep and goat EID tags collection.
Is the ET969 NLIS-approved?
Yes. The FOFIA ET969 is an NLIS-approved RFID electronic tag for sheep and goats. That means it is accepted for the electronic identification your state is rolling out, not just a visual tag with a number on it.
If your job needs a legal, readable, traceable tag for sheep or goats, the ET969 is the FOFIA tag to run. You can find current pricing and colours on the NLIS sheep and goat ear tags collection.
Sheep and goat eID and the state rollout
Sheep and goat electronic identification is being phased in across Australia, but not on one single national date. Each state department is running its own timeline and rules for when electronic tags are required and for which animals.
So the honest answer on "do I have to use these yet" is: check your own state department. The rollout is real and it is coming, and having the right electronic tag sorted early takes the pressure off. If you tell us your state and what you are tagging, we can point you at the right FOFIA tag and colour.
Year colours for sheep and goat tags
Sheep and goat NLIS breeder tags follow the national year colour cycle, and the colour repeats every eight years. The 2026 colour is Orange. There is also a Pink option used for permanent post-breeder tags, for stock you have brought in and are re-tagging to your own place.
| Tag situation | Colour to order |
|---|---|
| Bred on your place, 2026 | Orange |
| Post-breeder (bought-in, permanent) | Pink |
| Earlier or later years | Standard rotation colour for that year |
If you are unsure which colour applies to your mob, our ear tag year colours by year guide lays out the full cycle. When in doubt, send us the year and we will confirm it.
Custom printing and numbering
The ET969 can be custom printed with your own numbering, so your tags turn up ready to go into the mob. That is handy for keeping your on-farm records lined up with what is physically in the animal's ear.
Custom numbering and printing are chosen as part of the order. Tags order in the quantities shown on the product page, usually in set multiples, so pick your colour and printing, then order in the quantities listed. If you need something specific with the print layout, send it through and we will make sure it is right before it goes to print.
Which applicator do I use?
Sheep and goat tags use the FOFIA sheep ear tag applicator. This is a different tool to the cattle universal applicator, so do not try to run sheep tags through a cattle applicator or the other way around. The right applicator gives you a clean application and a secure fit.
If you are starting fresh, grab the sheep applicator alongside your tags so it all turns up together. Not sure if your existing applicator suits? Send us a photo and we will check it.
How to order
Ordering the ET969 is straightforward once you have three things sorted:
- Colour: Orange for 2026 bred stock, Pink for permanent post-breeder, or the rotation colour for the year.
- Quantity: order in the quantities shown on the product page.
- PIC and print details: your PIC and any custom numbering you want printed on the tag.
Add your tags to the cart with the colour, quantity and printing you need, and add the sheep applicator if you need one. Tags are printed and dispatched from Queensland, so allow a little turnaround for custom printing. If you would rather we help you set it up, send us the details and we will sort it.
Key facts (quick reference)
- Product: FOFIA ET969, NLIS-approved RFID electronic tag for sheep and goats.
- Build: anti-fade print, secure tear-resistant fit.
- 2026 colour: Orange, with Pink for permanent post-breeder tags. Colour cycle repeats every eight years.
- Applicator: the FOFIA sheep ear tag applicator, not the cattle universal.
- Custom printing: your own numbering and PIC, chosen as part of the order.
- Rollout: sheep and goat eID is phasing in by state, so check your state department for timing.
- Availability: one of the few Australian retailers carrying the full FOFIA range including ET969.
- Dispatch: tags printed and shipped from Queensland.
Frequently asked questions
Are FOFIA ET969 tags NLIS-approved?
Yes. The FOFIA ET969 is an NLIS-approved RFID electronic tag for sheep and goats. It carries a unique NLIS number that can be read electronically and traced through the national system, so it covers your electronic identification, not just a visual number.
What colour sheep tag do I need for 2026?
Orange is the 2026 year colour for stock bred on your place. Pink is used for permanent post-breeder tags, for animals you have bought in and are re-tagging to your own PIC. The colour cycle repeats every eight years, so if you are working with earlier or later years, check the year colours guide or send us the year.
What applicator do I use for FOFIA sheep tags?
The FOFIA sheep ear tag applicator. Sheep and goat tags use the sheep applicator, not the cattle universal applicator, so make sure you are running the right tool. If you are unsure what you have, send a photo and we will check it.
Do sheep and goats need electronic tags now?
Sheep and goat eID is being phased in across Australia, but there is no single national deadline. Each state department sets its own timing and rules, so check your state department for what applies to you. Either way, having the right electronic tag sorted early keeps you ahead of it.
Can I get ET969 tags custom printed?
Yes. The ET969 can be custom printed with your own numbering and PIC, chosen as part of the order. Tags order in the quantities shown on the product page. If you have a specific print layout in mind, send it through and we will confirm it before printing.
Where do FOFIA sheep tags ship from?
FOFIA tags are printed and dispatched from Queensland. Turnaround depends on your order size and how much custom printing is involved, so allow a little extra time for printed orders.
Not sure which colour, quantity or applicator you need? Send us your PIC, what you are tagging, and roughly how many, and we will sort out the right FOFIA sheep or goat tag, colour and applicator. Call 0431 183 421 or email us.