CLTS Birth Date Flag Changing to Better Reflect On-Farm Realities
Effective October 1, 2026, the Canadian Livestock Tracking System (CLTS) birth date flag will change from 9 months to 12 months (365 days), providing producers with additional time to enter or update birth date information before a flag is applied. Existing records flagged under the previous nine-month threshold will have the flag removed if the birth date was entered within 12 months. This is a one-time update to align existing records with the new 12-month threshold. Going forward, once a record is flagged, the flag cannot be removed.
The flag was introduced in 2022 at the request of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) BSE Program. Following industry feedback, the threshold is being updated to better reflect on-farm production and record-keeping realities.
Producers can voluntarily record the birth date of animals born on their farm and identified with an approved CCIA indicator to support age verification. Age verification is not mandatory, and birth date information is not mandatory regulated reporting in Canada.
What does the birth date flag actually mean?
Beginning October 1, if a birth date is entered or modified more than 12 months after the animal’s reported date of birth, the CLTS will flag the record. This flag will appear in the animal’s tag history and on its birth certificate.
Importantly, the flag does not mean the producer has done something wrong, is non-compliant, or that the birth date is considered inaccurate. It is a transparency and data-integrity indicator showing that the birth date was entered or changed after the established 12-month threshold.
A flag does not require any additional verification steps from the producer. CCIA or CFIA will not automatically contact a producer to verify the birth date simply because a flag appears on the record.
For example, if an older cow loses a tag and the producer re-tags the animal and enters an accurate birth date, the record may be flagged because the information was entered after 12 months. The flag itself does not indicate that the birth date is incorrect.
Why does the timing of birth date information matter?
Birth date information may be used at slaughter to help determine whether an animal is under 30 months of age, which may affect the animal’s value. If an animal’s age is in question, dentition is considered the most accurate method of age determination.
If you choose to record birth date information in the CLTS, enter it before the animal reaches 12 months of age to avoid the birth date flag.
Age Verification infographic new for 12 month flag
See the accompanying infographic ‘Age Verification in the CLTS’ for more information on birth date reporting, birth certificates and age verification. If you have further questions, please contact CCIA at 1-877-909-2333 or info@canadaid.ca.