Branding and Other Forms of Cattle Identification By Rebecca Jepsen

 Origin in Egypt  Spaniards introduced branding to the New World around  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