Ear Tag Colours by Year: Sheep, Goat and Cattle Chart (2022 to 2033)
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2026 is Orange, letter X. 2027 is Light Green, letter Y. That's the year colour for sheep and goat NLIS breeder tags and for cattle visual and management tags. Cattle NLIS electronic tags are the exception and never change colour. The full chart is below.
Ear tag colours by year, 2022 to 2033
| Year | Colour | Letter |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Red | R |
| 2023 | Sky Blue | S |
| 2024 | Black | T |
| 2025 | White | W |
| 2026 this year | Orange | X |
| 2027 next year | Light Green | Y |
| 2028 | Purple | Z |
| 2029 | Yellow | A |
| 2030 | Red | B |
| 2031 | Sky Blue | C |
| 2032 | Black | D |
| 2033 | White | E |
The colours repeat every eight years. The letters skip U and V, and start again at A after Z. Swatches on screen are a guide only; the real tag colour is set by the manufacturer.
Which tags change colour each year?
- Sheep and goat NLIS breeder tags
- Cattle visual and management tags. The year colour is the usual convention here, but you can order other colours.
- Cattle NLIS breeder tags: White
- Cattle NLIS post-breeder tags: Orange
- Sheep and goat NLIS post-breeder tags: Pink
Sheep tag colours for 2026 and 2027
Sheep and goat NLIS breeder tags use the year colour: Orange for lambs and kids born in 2026, Light Green for 2027. Post-breeder tags are Pink whatever the year.
Browse sheep and goat NLIS tags or the FOFIA sheep NLIS range. If you're setting up for electronic tags for the first time, our sheep EID guide covers the basics.
Cattle tag colours for 2026 and 2027
Visual and management tags for calves born in 2026 are Orange with the letter X. For 2027 calves it's Light Green with the letter Y. Cattle NLIS electronic tags don't follow the year at all: White for breeders and Orange for post-breeders, every year.
Shop the 2026 orange or 2027 light green management tag ranges, or see the full Allflex cattle tag range.
What the year letter is for
The letter is a management convention for cattle. Print it on a management tag with the animal's number and you can read its age from across the yard, even when the tag has faded. The letters match the years in the chart above.
Common questions
What colour are sheep tags in 2026?
Orange for NLIS breeder tags. Post-breeder tags are Pink.
What colour are cattle tags in 2026?
Orange with the letter X for visual and management tags. Cattle NLIS tags stay White for breeders and Orange for post-breeders, every year.
What colour is 2027?
Light Green, letter Y.
Do I need to re-tag when the colour changes?
No. A tag stays in for life unless it's lost. Its colour shows the animal's year, not the current year.
Is the colour for each year the same in every state?
Yes, the colour for each year is the same across Australia. The rules on which tags have to use it can differ between states and species, so if you're unsure, check with Integrity Systems or your state agriculture department.
Can I get management tags in a different colour?
Yes. Plenty of producers run their own colours for joining groups or sale mobs. Give us a call and we'll tell you what's available.