Livestock Identification

Match up the ID tags to its name A. Chalk Raddle B. Spray marker C. Electronic tag D. Brass tag E. Ear notch marking F. Strip tag G. One piece tag H. Animal health tag (TB) I. Branding

Reasons for Identifying Livestock  Traceability – being able to traced livestock from paddock to plate  Know when an animal has been mated  TB control – identifying TB free cattle  Dairy cow milking performance  Gender – can tell quickly sex of lambs  Maintain breeding genetics – all dairy cows on National Database

Mating in herds or flocks  Chalk raddles are worn by the ram and mark ewes when mating  Dairy farmers artificially inseminate cows and use a spray marker on the top of the tail

Dairy Cow Identification  Electronic ear tags  Contains a computer chip which holds cows personalised national identity number  Scanner at entrance to dairy shed reads tag records info on cow