Livestock Identification Methods

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Livestock Identification Methods
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Why identify animals?

• Ownership proof
• Keeping accurate records
• Disease eradication
• Food safety
• Breeding
• Global trade
• Emergency management
• Endangered species tracking

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Hot Iron Branding Freeze Branding Paint
Branding Ear notching Tattoo Microchip
Ear tags Radio collar/Transmitter Chains
GPS swallowed or inserted

• TYPES OF IDENTIFICATION

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• 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.

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• Branding started in 1800s to deter theft

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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 show ownership NOT individual
  animal ID numbers

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Types of Branding

• 1.Hot Branding
• Fire Branding
• Electric Iron Branding
• 2. Freeze Branding
• 3. Paint Branding

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Hot Iron Brand

• Steel or Copper branding irons are used

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Paint Branding Iron
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Freeze Branding Iron

• Usually made out of copper

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Freeze Branding

• Uses liquid Nitrogen or alcohol dry ice
• Turns hair white

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Angle Brand System
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• Angle Brand System uses two squares with one
  rotated an eighth of a turn

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• O on the brand is horizontal double bars
• 1 is vertical double bars

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Ear Tagging

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

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Ear tagging began being used in the 1960s
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Ear Tags and Pliers
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Uses of Ear Tags

• Identification
• Insect control
• Electronic ID Information

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Electronic Ear Tags

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

• Uses a special notching tool to cut out little
  V notches on animals ears

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EAR NOTCHING

• Scab in 1-2 days, healed within a week

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• Right or left ear is standing behind animal

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Example
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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.
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TATTOOS
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TATTOOS

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

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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

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Tatooing

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

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Tattoo Pliers and Numbers
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Procedure for tattooing calves or kids
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A clean ear is the first step to a successful
tattoo. Clipping ears may also be necessary to
avoid interference from hair.
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Apply ink between the first and second ribs of
the ear. The ink should thoroughly cover the
skin.
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Keep a firm grip on the calf or kid to avoid any
movement that could cause the tongs to slip.
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Sanitizing tattooing equipment is just one way to
follow biosecurity protocol.
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After several weeks, the tattoo should become
legible as the dried ink flakes out of the calfs
or kids ear.
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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

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Computer Research-Microchip

• Why is micro-chipping so highly regarded by
  shelters? What are several advantages of it
  compared to other methods of id?
• How much does it cost?
• How long has this technique been around?
• Are there states or countries that require
  microchips in pets?
• Are there other potential uses other than in pets?

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Microchip Implants
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Horse Microchip Syringe