One of the hopes of those who sought opening up of the cattle tag market to multiple suppliers was that it would trigger a price war that would lower tag prices for farmers.

So far, in year two, that has not happened.

Mullinahone Co-op gave a commitment last winter to hold prices for four years.

Cormac increased the price of its basic visual set by 10c, but is still 12c cheaper than Mullinahone.

Datamars has the lowest price for a visual set at €2.68. All charge the same for electronic sets at €3.95.

Mullinahone Co-op

Visual and Tissue Tag Set – €2.90. This comprises the Allflex Ultra Senior Conventional Tag and the new Ultraflex Senior Tissue Sampling Tag combination, complete with sampling needle and sample bottle for capture of tissue sample.

Electronic and Tissue Tag Set – €3.95. This comprises the Allflex Ultra Senior Electronic HDX Tag and the new Ultraflex Senior Tissue Sampling Tag combination complete with sampling needle and sample bottle for capture of tissue sample.

Replacement Single Visual Tag – €2.34. This is the Allflex Ultra Senior Conventional tag. It can be ordered where a registered animal has lost one of its official tags.

Replacement Pair Visual – €3.20. This comprises two Allflex Ultra Senior Conventional tags. It can be ordered where a registered animal has lost both of its official tags.

Replacement Electronic Tag – €4.49. This tag is the Allflex Ultra Senior Electronic (HDX) Cross Reference Tag and can be ordered where a registered animal has lost one of its official tags.

Replacement Electronic Pair – €5.46. This tag set comprises the Allflex Ultra Senior Electronic (HDX) Tag and the Ultra Senior Conventional Tag and can be ordered where a registered animal has lost both of its official tags.

Tissue Retest Tag Set – €1.80. This tag set comprises the Allflex Button Tissue Sampling Tag complete with sampling needle and sample bottle for capture of tissue sample.

Cormac Tagging

Visual and Tissue tag set – €2.78 including VAT. These are Caisley visual and tissue tags.

Electronic and tissue tag set – €3.95. This includes Caisley HDX electronic tag and Caisley visual tag. The set meets the Department of Agriculture’s identification requirements and the herdowner’s requirements for an electronic tag.

Single visual or tissue replacement tag – €2.19. This is a conventional, single ear replacement visual tag. All pre-Nov 2016 tag replacements can be printed, including those for imported animals.

Single electronic replacement tag – €3.95. This HDX D30 tag has a pre-programmed chip suitable for replacing a lost electronic tag or it can be used for upgrading conventional/visual tags to electronic tags.

Double ear tag set – €2.90.

Datamars

Tissue tag and visual set – €2.68. This includes the Alpha Typifix-S TST and Alpha Large visual tag.

Tissue tag and electronic set – €3.95. This package includes the Alpha Typifix-S TST and Alpha Large EID HDX tag. The EID tag is available with FDX-B technology.

Replacement single visual large tag – €1.95.

Replacement visual set – €2.80. This package consists of two large visual tags.

BVD retest button tag – €2.00.