Types of Identification Used in Cattle Rearing

Several types of identification are used in cattle rearing. The primary purpose of such practices are to keep track of herd number and birth date, as well as health records, parentage and production records. This information is used to make herd decisions. Not all types of identification are permanent, hence two types of identification are suggested for accuracy.

  1. Hot-Iron Branding

    • According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) the most common form of identification is hot-iron branding, which is used on as many as 50 percent of cows and 40 percent of calves. This type of branding is permanent and can be seen from a distance, which makes sorting easier than with some less obvious types of identification.

    Ear Tags and Neck Chains

    • The second most common type of identification is plastic ear tagging. Over 25 percent of calves and 50 percent of all adult cattle are tagged. While ear tagging is easy to apply, the tag can become lost or removed. Another type of non-permanent identification system used on cattle (specifically dairy cows) is the neck-chain tag. While this form of identification creates no discomfort, such as tagging or branding, fewer than 1 percent of cattle ranchers use this method.

    Notching and Tattooing

    • Ear notching is more common on swine than cattle, but a large percentage of farmers use this permanent form of identification. This method requires restraining the animal and 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. As many as 16 percent of calves and nearly 10 percent of adult cows are ear notched. Another form of permanent identification is ear tattooing. The drawback to this method is that identification and sorting cannot be done from a distance, and animals must be restrained to read the herd and birth year number. Less than 4 percent of calves and 8 percent of all cattle receive ear tattooing.

    Microchipping and Freeze Branding

    • Some less commonly used types of permanent identification are electronic microchipping and freeze branding. While microchipping is a painless and permanent form of identification, less than 1 percent of calves and2 percent cattle are microchipped. Freeze branding can be costly, as it takes up to two minutes to apply the brand and it leaves a raw wound that can several weeks to heal. Less that 2 percent of calves and 4 percent adult cattle are freeze branded.