Cattle identification methods

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Are tattoos required for cattle? See full list on progressivecattle. Flexible plastic tags are probably the most widely used for cattle identification.

Placing the tag in the animal by piercing a hole in the ear with a secure backing is most common. Numerous brands and types of tags are on the market. Retention and legibility are the most important considerations for all tags. A producer may purchase preprinted tags or choose to write his or her own numbers on the tags.

Some tags have special markers for writing on them, others are designed to have numbers inscribed in them.

It is important to make sure tags are large enough to be read at a distance and that numbers remain readable. Ear tags can be purchased in different colors and types. When applying ear tags, it is important to avoid the cartilaginous ribs of the ear as well as to choose a flexible portion of the ear. Some producers find it helpful to tag steers and heifers in opposite ears or w. Metal clip-type tags provide a durable, easily applied option.

They are usually well retained but may infrequently be lost. Animal health officers use special metal tags as a tool for tracking animals for monitoring brucellosis. Brucellosis tags or other metal tags may be used in combination with plastic ear tags to provide reasonably permanent identification along with an easily read tag.

Each of the brucellosis metal tags has an individual number and is readable once an animal is restrained in a head-catch. Although these tags are durable, they are not always permanent. Use adequate animal restraint to ensure ears are not torn during installation. Maintain a permanent record of the corresponding brucellosis or metal tag number.

Metal tags are applied to the outer edge of the ear, relatively close to the head of the animal. Space must be left so that. Similar to the tattooing procedure for humans, ink is put into the animal’s skin in a series of dots that outline numbers or symbols. In cattle, this tattoo ink is put under the skin inside the ear using special tattoo pliers that puncture the skin and leave a permanent number.

Tattoos are a good permanent means of identification. However, because tattoos are inside the animal’s ear, the animal must be restrained to read the tattoo.

In black-hided cattle, the inner area of the ear is generally lighter, which allows the tattoo to be visible. However, contrast between the color of the tattoo ink and the color of the inside of the ear is also helpful. The combination of permanent tattoos with large and easily read ear tags may be a practical option for some producers. Most breed associations require that cattle have ear tattoos for registration. The tattooing process is so.

Electronic identification (EID) tags are becoming an ever-more common tool for individual animal identification. However, EID tags are only part of a system required to achieve the maximum benefit from this technology. As time progresses, there will likely be additional advances. The EID systems need special reading devices and may have limited range.

Cost of an EID system and the necessary equipment needs to be considered in implementing an EID program. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installing and using EID to ensure best resu. Numbering systems for individual identity of cattle can be a challenge and must be carefully thought out. A number should not be duplicated for years or more and should not be more than four digits so it can be read easily.

If computerized record-keeping systems are use it is essential producers eliminate any duplicate numbers. The best numbering system is one that is simple and easy to read. For herds less than 0cows this system accommodates a simple consecutive numbering system. As calves are born each year, they are identified with a four-digit number that would begin with the last digit of the year they were born. Most producers find it advisable to include all the digits in a numbering system on each tag, tattoo or number brand.

For example, in a four-digit system. Simple, easily readable forms of animal identification are important to assist cattle producers in maintaining records for genetic and management decisions. Visual and electronic identification systems exist for this use. Likewise, simple numbering systems should be used to minimize confusion and errors in recording and tracking animal information. Author’s note: Portions of this article were written based on factsheet CL7titled “Cattle Identification” by Bruce Nisley, Ron Torell and Willie Riggs.

Photo courtesy of Powder River. BOTTOA tag number should not be duplicated for years or more and should not be more than four digits, so it can be read easily. Marking cattle for identification should involve methods that are easy to read at a distance, are easy to apply and are permanent. None of the individual marking methods meet all of these criteria.

For this reason, the use of two marking methods on an animal is strongly recom­ mended. Other Methods of Marking. Branding is most suited for marking cattle , buffaloes, horses and camels. Freeze branding can be a powerful combination identification , marketing and risk-reducing tool.

Plus, it just pops against the cattle ’s natural hair color and looks cool,” Kleiboeker concludes. Identifying livestock is necessary for many aspects of livestock production. Permanent or temporary methods are used as applicable. Methods used are determined by the owner or requirements set forth by registries, government, or other entities.

Livestock owner identification is easily proved with the use of branding. Branding evolved in the American west and today is still a commonly used form of livestock marking. By Heather Smith Thomas. Hot iron brands have been the standard and legal way to identify ownership of cattle , but many other identification systems are often used for individual identification and herd records – such as freeze branding, ear tags, brisket tags, neck chains with numbers, lip and ear tattoos, horn brands, etc.

Besides branding with a hot iron, there are various other types of tagging that can be done, including tattooing and affixing physical devices to cows and bulls. Cattle identification has even gone high-tech with the introduction of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. History notes early cattle owners used various methods to mark or “brand” their cattle. Branding: It involves searing a number, letters, designs or a combination of these put on the skin with a hot iron or with chemicals.

They were mainly concerned about ownership. Today, in addition to proving ownership, you want each animal to have an individual identification so you can keep better performance, breeding, and health records. An individual animal approach to beef cattle record keeping involves recording specific performance data for each animal, such as identification number, birth date, calf sex, sire, dam, breed composition, weaning weight, and more, if desired. To be effective, an animal identification system must first be established. The performance of the proposed identification mechanism is significantly better than the two previous methods , i. You should keep your digits limited to no more than characters for easy identification , digits are the standard.

In ranching country, hot branding has been a system of choice for decades. Plastic eartags are also commonplace in livestock operations. Start studying Animal ID Systems.

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