Livestock Identification Methods

1. Livestock Identification Methods

2. Why identify animals? Ownership proof Keeping accurate records Disease eradication Food safety Breeding Global trade Emergency management Endangered species tracking

3. * Hot Iron Branding* Freeze Branding* Paint Branding* Ear notching* Tattoo* Microchip* Ear tags* Radio collar/Transmitter* Chains* GPS swallowed or inserted TYPES OF IDENTIFICATION

4. Brands have been used as marks of identification in all countries and civilizations. • The branding scene below is shown on Egyptian Tomb walls dating back to 2,000 B.C.

5. Branding started in 1800s to deter theft

6. Branding Uses a metal instrument to burn or freeze a mark on to the animal Predominantly used on cattle and horses Original use was to showownership NOT individual animal ID numbers

7. Types of Branding 1.Hot Branding Fire Branding Electric Iron Branding 2. Freeze Branding 3. Paint Branding

8. Hot Iron Brand Steel or Copper branding irons are used

11. Paint Branding Iron

12. Freeze Branding Iron Usually made out of copper

15. Freeze Branding Uses liquid Nitrogen or alcohol & dry ice Turns hair white

19. Angle Brand System

20. Angle Brand System uses two squares with one rotated an eighth of a turn p. 144

22. “O” on the brand is horizontal double bars “1” is vertical double bars

26. EarTagging Uses special pliers to attach plastic pieces with numbers on them, easy to read from front view but less permanent than some systems

27. Ear tagging began being used in the 1960s

28. Ear Tags and Pliers

29. Uses of Ear Tags Identification Insect control Electronic ID Information

30. Electronic Ear Tags

31. Ear tags are cheap, but tend to fall out or are often torn out.

32. Ear Notching Uses a special notching tool to cut out little “V” notches on animal’s ears

33. EAR NOTCHING Scab in 1-2 days, healed within a week

34. Right or left ear is standing behind animal

36. Example:

37. Since having 81 pigs in one litter is impossible, the 81 notch on the left ear is added as part of the litter number, if needed.

38. TATTOOS

40. TATTOOS • Horses - Tattoos must be officially applied by certain authorized agencies for recognition by racing commissions • Tattoos are very easily altered.

41. TATTOOS • Tattoos do not work satisfactorily in horses under two years of age because of growth dilution and absorption of the ink. • Some tattoos fade as the horse ages. • Tattoos can be removed

42. Tatooing Uses a special tool called tattoo pliers to put inked numbers in ears, lips, or other locations Permanent! Simple Relatively painless

43. Tattoo Pliers and Numbers

44. Procedure for tattooing calves or kids

45. A clean ear is the first step to a successful tattoo. Clipping ears may also be necessary to avoid interference from hair.

46. Apply ink between the first and second ribs of the ear. The ink should thoroughly cover the skin.

47. Keep a firm grip on the calf or kid to avoid any movement that could cause the tongs to slip.

48. Sanitizing tattooing equipment is just one way to follow biosecurity protocol.

49. After several weeks, the tattoo should become legible as the dried ink flakes out of the calf’s or kid’s ear.

50. Microchip Implants Latest technology in animal identification Used primarily in US for high value animals and pets Implanted under the skin in neck/shoulder region primarily