Everything ID offers six of the best sheep & goat eID NLIS tags from three industry-leading brands: Leader, Z Tags, and Allflex. These manufacturers have refined their designs over decades, resulting in excellent retention and readability across the board.
All tags operate on the FDX-B format, ensuring they are 100% compatible with your existing equipment, including stick readers and auto-drafters. The "best" tag depends on your specific operation, the age of your livestock, and your personal preference. Read on for our detailed comparison of the top six tags, designed to help you maximize efficiency and long-term retention on your farm.
We compared six of the most popular eID tags on the Australian market:
If you rely on visual ID alongside electronic scanning, print size matters. Leader generally offers the largest, boldest print. See the table below for more information.
| Tag Model | Ordered from largest print size to smallest |
|---|---|
| Leader Multipin | Overall largest text |
| Leader Multitronic | The PIC size is largest and boldest of all tags, but the farm name is small |
| Allflex RapID | Similar but slightly smaller and less dark than the Leader Multitag |
| Allflex Two-Piece | Note that the farm name (if required) is printed on the button and not the main tag |
| Z Tags FET | Slightly smaller printing on the slightly smaller tag |
| Z Tags TagFaster | This is the smallest tag and has the smallest printing size |
Pin sizes vary significantly between the eID sheep tags. In the Allflex RapID and Leader Multipin, the RFID transponder is located inside the pin whereas it is located on the tag itself for the other four tags.
Is a larger pin better? There is divided opinion. A larger pin can allow the wound to "breathe" and heal better, while a smaller pin causes less initial trauma, which some prefer for young lambs. If a sheep moves its head when having a tag applied, a smaller pin may bend whereas a larger pin may rip the ear. Larger pins are generally better for applying tags to older sheep with tougher ears.
| Tag Model | Ordered from largest print size to smallest |
|---|---|
| Allflex Two-Piece | A similar sized pin to the RapID & Multipin but featuring a wider tip with metal point |
| Leader Multipin & Allflex RapID | Both have large black pins. Leader's is slightly wider whereas Allflex's is slightly longer. Both pins are able to rotate |
| Leader Multitronic | A medium size fixed pin |
| Z Tags FET | A medium size fixed pin |
| Z Tags TagFaster | A medium length pin but overall thinner |
If you are tagging large volumes of young lambs, Multi-Shot applicators (available for Z Tags TagFaster and Allflex RapID) can save time by loading 20-25 tags at once. These are specifically designed for use during lamb marking.
Not everyone is a fan of multi-shot applicators. While many farmers love them, others still prefer single-tag applicators. They argue that multi-shot tools can get jammed, can be difficult for inexperienced operators, and that tagging is rarely the "bottleneck" in a marking crew's workflow. We always recommend farmers using multi-shot applicators to have a single-tag applicator as a backup.
Quality applicator with color-coded sides at a reasonable price
Smallest, lightest and cheapest applicator. Someone with large hands may find it awkward to use
The Heavy Duty stainless steel option is excellent but can be heavy for some users
Two excellent choices; the standard blue/black applicator is a great value option
Solid, high-quality applicator
Benefit of being compatible with cattle tags, though significantly more expensive
Will my old visual tag applicator work with the new electronic tags?
That depends. Leader and Z Tag applicators will work with both electronic and non-electronic versions of the same style. The Allflex RapID tag uses the same applicators as the SuperFlex wrap-around tag (but not the FlexiTag), and the Allflex Two-Piece Tag is compatible with Allflex cattle tag applicators.
There is no single "best" tag, only the best tag for your flock. All tags we carry are excellent and would be suitable for most farmers.
If you don't have specific requirements, you could choose based on price or lead time. Unlike cattle tags, sheep eID tags are currently very similar in price. Lead times do vary, especially in peak periods, so check our Delivery page for up-to-date production times. Manufacturers also offer urgent handling and express shipping services for an additional cost at checkout.
However, your specific setup might make one brand stand out:
Need a personalized recommendation? We’ve helped thousands of producers find the right fit. Contact the Everything ID team today!
