Branding and Other Forms of Cattle Identification

By Rebecca Jepsen

Origin in Egypt

Spaniards introduced branding to the New World around 1519.

Standard practice for all free-rangers in Europe and America.

Onset of fences

Branding History

Owner’s Identity Animal’s Identity Age Track Growth, Temperament,

Pregnancy Status etc. Government Mandated

Reasons for Cattle Identification

Temporary Tail Brush Removal Color Paint Markers/Chalk

Semi Permanent: Ear Tags

Permanent Hot Iron Branding Freeze Branding Tattoo Ear Notching Electronic Markers

Temporary and Permanent Identification Methods

50 percent of cows and 40 percent of calves. Most popular of permanent identification methods.

Must be Dry Most Common Area: High Hip 3 to 5 Second Application Period How to works Branding Mistakes:

Hot Iron Branding

Considered more Humane Requires Much More time and Equipment –

consequently less that 2 percent of calves and 4 percent adult cattle are freeze branded.

Uncertain Success

Process: Hair Clipping Liquid Nitrogen or Dry Ice/Alcohol Mix. 30 to 60 Seconds average. May take up to 2 minutes. Varying Degrees of Hair Follicle Damage. Not for All Cattle

Freeze Branding

Most Permanent form of Identification; Breed Registration Requirement and Vaccinations

Mid Vein of Ear Ear Cleaned/Disinfected Area rubbed with Paste or Ink Spiked Letter “Stamp” Instrument Indentations Filled With more Ink Problem for Certain Cattle Breeds Other Hassles/ Restrain Need

Tattoo

Multiple Purposes Often Used in Addition to Branding (Breeding

Records etc.) Main Problem… Hair Length Issues Clipping triangular pieces of the ear lobe off.

These notches can be read using a system of numbers and letters that are assigned to each part of the ear.

Ear Notching

Metal or Plastic Usually used in Conjunction with Permanent

form of Identification (example) Negatives: Dirt/Tear

Ear Tags

RFID chips contain radio-frequency technology that employs a magnetic field to emit a coded identification number when scanned by a reader device.

Implanted Under the Skin

Not always Reliable

Being Replaced by…

Electronic Implants

All Electronic identification tag chips use radio frequency identification, or RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology.

Farmers can identify all the animals in a herd faster (hundreds per minute) and from up to a few meters away.

Considered permanent Governments all over the world are mandating the use

of electronic tags on all livestock in order to ensure food safety and provide traceability. .

Electronic Markers

RFID Ear Tags/Ear Buttons

All Fire and Freeze Brands Must Be Registered ODA $100 Fee to Renew Every Four Years 11,500 Current Brands in Oregon Jean Bennett

Registering For Brands in Oregon

Only half of the cattle in the united states have permanent forms of identification.

Why?

Future Prediction…

Review

Bibliography

"Beef Production: The Basics of Cattle Identification." (2005). Web. 6 Apr. 2012. <http://agriculture.kzntl.gov.za/portal/AgricPublications/ProductionGuidelines/BeefProduction/CattleIdentification/tabid/112/Default.aspx>.

Felsman, Robert J. "Livestock Management: Beef Cattle Identification." University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Program. Web. 5 Apr. 2012.

McCraw, Roger L. "Tips on Beef Cattle Identification." Skykingranch.com. Web. 6 Apr. 2012.

Neary, Michael. "Methods of Livestock Identification." Purdue Univerisity Department of Animal Science (2002). Web. 12 Apr. 2012. <http://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/AS/AS-556-W.pdf>.

"Registering a New Brand." Oregon Department of Agriculture Specifications (2011). Web. 7 Apr. 2012.