With the onset of BSE or Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy in Great Britain, and subsequent infections here in the U.S., there has been an increased push to monitor and track movements of animals on ranches and farms. In fact, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is in the process of implementing a National Animal Identification System or NAIS to track animal movements. Conventional systems that comply with the NAIS, though, have been very expensive and cumbersome for the average farmer who cannot afford the expense involved. However, now there is a system, which complies with the NAIS, that is easy to operate for the average farmer or rancher and is inexpensive. Thus, the present system allows the average farmer or rancher to remain in business and comply with national requirements.