Nordic Star

Name

Nordic Star

Legal name

National Milk Records Limited

Website

https://nordicstar.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Livestock Identification Products

NAICS

Support Activities for Animal Production (1152), Veterinary Services (54194)

SIC

Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Animal Identification & Tracking Devices (Microchips, RFID, Tags, Scanners) (HLAMAFAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Livestock Identification, Traceability & Recordkeeping Services (Tagging, RFID) (AFAEALAF), Laboratory & Point-of-Care Diagnostic Devices (Analyzers, Test Kits, Microscopy) (HLAMAFAI), Diagnostics & Laboratory Services (Sampling, Necropsy, Disease Investigation) (AFACADAF)

Keywords

• Livestock ear tags
• Animal identification
• Cattle tagging
• BVD testing services
• Genomic testing

Headquarters

HQ city

Harrogate

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Ear Tag Sales: One-time sale of ear tags (cattle, sheep, goats, pigs) for livestock identification. Tags ordered via website, phone, email, or UNIFORM-Agri. Payment invoiced after shipping with 30-day terms. Direct Debit available for NMR customers.
2. BVD Testing Services: BVD virus testing included in price of TST tags. Tissue samples sent to NMR's UKAS accredited labs via prepaid envelopes. Results returned within 5 working days.
3. DNA/Genomic Testing Services: DNA sampling tags sold with testing capability. Samples processed through NMR's in-house laboratory or Zoetis laboratory in North America. Testing performed on submitted tissue samples.
4. Accessories and Applicators: Universal tag applicators, sheep/goat applicators, marker pens, ankle straps sold as supplementary products.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Nordic Star sells German-manufactured ear tags and integrated livestock identification services for cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs across the UK. Its core offering combines physical ear tags (conventional, BVD testing, DNA sampling, EID, and management tags) with in-house UKAS-accredited BVD virus and DNA/genomic laboratory testing, plus the free Herd Companion online portal for accessing herd health and test results.

Product overview

Nordic Star is a livestock identification company operating since 1996, offering a comprehensive portfolio of ear tags for cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs. The core product line includes Conventional Cattle Tags (manufactured in Germany, exceeding UK PAS 44 standards), BVD Testing Tags (with integrated tissue sampling and UKAS-accredited lab testing), DNA Tags (for genomic/parentage testing), and Electronic Identifier (EID) Tags (HDX/FDX formats). The company differentiates through its unique vertical integration: it is the only UK ear tag supplier with its own UKAS accredited labs for BVD and DNA testing. Companion products include the free Herd Companion web portal for accessing test results and farm data, plus Accessories & Applicators. Tags are ordered via the website, phone, email, UNIFORM-Agri platform integration, or post.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Conventional Cattle Tags High-tensile ear tags for cattle available in Large Flag, Medium Flag, and Button styles; German-designed and manufactured, exceeding UK PAS44 standards, with cutting rings, air holes for healing, and round shoulders to prevent snagging. For UK cattle farmers requiring primary or secondary identification tags.
• BVD Testing Tags (TST Tags) Tissue sampling cattle ear tags with bar-coded vials for Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) virus testing. Samples are sent via prepaid envelope to Nordic Star's UKAS-accredited lab (Hillington, Glasgow) using antigen ELISA, with results returned within 5 working days. For UK cattle producers needing to identify BVD persistently infected (PI) calves within the first week of life.
• DNA Tags & Sampling Tissue sampling cattle ear tags incorporating Caisley Geno sample tubes with liquid preservative for genomic/DNA testing. Samples are processed through the NMR lab at Four Ashes and passed to AHDB for conversion to Predicted Transmitting Abilities (PTAs). Compatible with all genomic tests available through NMR in-house and Zoetis laboratory (North America). For UK cattle farmers making breeding decisions based on genomic data.
• Electronic Identifier (EID) Tags Electronic identification ear tags for cattle available in Half Duplex (HDX) or Full Duplex (FDX) format, integrated into flag or button styles. Can be combined with BVD testing vials or DNA testing vials. For cattle producers using on-farm EID systems for herd management.
• Sheep & Goat Tags One-piece fold-over ear tags for sheep and goats, available as visual tags or EID tags in multiple colours. Range includes breeding tags for animals kept over 12 months, slaughter tags for animals under 12 months, and red replacement pairs for unidentified animals. For UK sheep and goat keepers needing compliant identification.
• Pig Ear Tags Simple button-style ear tags available in multiple colours for pig identification. Required for all pigs aged 12 months or older carrying the official herd mark before leaving the holding. For UK pig farmers needing compliant identification.
• Management Tags Herd management ear tags including blank tags in various colours, custom printed tags, HDX reusable EID tags, and male button tags in multiple sizes. For cattle producers managing on-farm identification beyond official regulatory tagging.
• Accessories & Applicators Tagging accessories including universal tag applicators for cattle and pig tags, sheep and goat ear tag applicators, marker pens for permanent marking on tags, and ankle straps for herd management. For farmers needing tools to apply and manage their ear tags.
• Herd Companion Free online information management portal (herdcompanion.co.uk) providing access to milk recording, bulk tank milk quality, BVD, and genomic test results. Free for any UK livestock farmer to register and use, serving as the consolidated reporting layer for Nordic Star's testing services.

Quantifiable outcome

• Tags are 37% stronger than required by UK authorities (416N vs 280N PAS44 baseline)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature7 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• UNIFORM-AgricoreTechnology or IntegrationCollaboration to build a module allowing farmers to order New Runs and Replacements through the UNIFORM-Agri platform (PC and App). No extra fee for using this service - included in standard monthly fee. Tags ordered via UNIFORM-Agri are automatically sent to Nordic Star for processing and invoicing.
• GenusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner working with Nordic Star to deliver innovation and efficiencies for livestock producers.
• LelyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner providing innovation opportunities for livestock producers through partnership with Nordic Star.
• DeLavalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner working with Nordic Star to deliver efficiencies for livestock producers.
• ArlaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner providing opportunities to reduce costs and increase margins for livestock producers.
• WaitroseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner with Nordic Star delivering efficiencies and cost reduction opportunities for livestock producers.
• National Milk Records (NMR)coreOthersNMR is the parent company of Nordic Star. Nordic Star operates as the ear tag division of NMR Group. NMR provides Direct Debit payment option for Nordic Star customers.
• National Milk Laboratories (NML)coreTechnology or IntegrationNML is part of NMR Group and processes BVD tissue samples at Hillington site near Glasgow using antigen ELISA virus test. Nordic Star tags include prepaid labels for samples to be posted to NML.
• ZoetiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner for genomic testing. DNA sampling tags are compatible with all genomic tests available through NMR in-house laboratory or Zoetis laboratory in North America.
• UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service)coreOthersNordic Star's labs are UKAS accredited for BVD and DNA testing. Nordic Star is audited by UKAS to ensure compliance is maintained.
• ICAR (International Committee for Animal Recording)coreOthersNordic Star is audited by ICAR to ensure compliance with international animal recording standards.
• BCMS (British Cattle Movement Service)coreOthersNordic Star is audited by BCMS for compliance with UK cattle identification requirements. Tags must display BCMS-compliant information.
• Caisley International GmbHcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerGerman manufacturer of Nordic Star ear tags. Tags are designed and manufactured by Caisley International to UK and European standards, featuring Caisley Geno sample tubes for tissue sampling.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Datamars: Switzerland-based provider of RFID and livestock identification tags under the Z Tags and Tru-Test brands. Comparable because it competes with Nordic Star on EID and visual ear tags for cattle and sheep, and offers the integrated identification-plus-reading hardware stack Nordic Star lacks.
• Allflex Livestock Intelligence (Merck Animal Health): Global market leader in livestock identification ear tags, EID, and visual tags. Comparable because it competes head-to-head with Nordic Star in the UK cattle and sheep tag category, while also offering broader species and geographic coverage as part of Merck Animal Health's livestock portfolio.

Direct peers

• Shearwell Data: UK-based direct competitor manufacturing and supplying sheep, cattle, and EID tags with proprietary software and readers. Highly comparable because it sells into the same UK livestock farmer base with overlapping tag categories, similar compliance focus, and integrated data management tools parallel to Herd Companion.
• Euro ID (Roxan): UK-based manufacturer and supplier of cattle and sheep ear tags, EID tags, and identification systems. Comparable as a direct UK competitor with similar product categories, regulatory expertise, and farmer customer base as Nordic Star.
• Gallagher Animal Management: Provider of EID tags, readers, weigh scales, and integrated livestock management software. Comparable because it competes in the same EID/electronic identification space for cattle and sheep, offering the hardware-plus-software stack that complements or substitutes for Nordic Star's EID plus Herd Companion bundle.
• Enduro Tags (Dalton Tags): UK-based supplier of sheep and cattle ear tags, applicators, and identification products. Comparable as a domestic competitor selling into the same UK livestock farmer base with overlapping tag categories, often positioned on price competitiveness.

Regional players

• MS Schippers: Netherlands-based supplier of livestock identification, hygiene, and farm equipment products primarily across Western Europe. Comparable as a regional competitor serving European livestock farmers with ear tags and farm consumables, potentially able to expand into the UK market.

Emerging players

• Leader Products: Australia-based manufacturer and supplier of livestock ear tags, EID tags, and identification products exporting globally. Comparable as a competing tag brand seeking to expand into UK and European markets with similar cattle and sheep product lines.
• Y-Tex: US-headquartered manufacturer of livestock identification tags, insecticides, and EID products. Comparable as a competing tag supplier targeting international livestock markets with overlapping cattle tag product categories.

Others

• Caisley International GmbH: German manufacturer of official ear tags, including Nordic Star's own. Comparable as both an OEM supplier and a competitor: Caisley supplies tags under its own brand to other distributors and could choose to compete with Nordic Star directly in the UK using its PAS44-compliant product.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NordicStarTags
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCI0oghh5EfwsN6KNNGMaVHw
• Facebookfacebook.com/Nordic-Star-Tags-130719637065170
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nmr-national-milk-records-

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Nordic Star