Ranchers’ Claims Trimmed in Electronic Cattle Eartag Rule Suit

The US Department of Agriculture must face a challenge to a rule adopted last year mandating that cattle ranchers implement electronic eartags to track their livestock.

The individual ranchers and cattle trade associations have standing to bring their claims under the Administrative Procedure Act because they plausibly state an injury that’s directly tied to the agency’s rule, Judge Eric C. Schulte of the US District Court for the District of South Dakota said in a Tuesday order partially denying the agency’s bid to toss the suit.

USDA adopted a rule in May 2024 mandating that all official eartags for cattle ...