Ear Tag Question.

[sungirl]

I might be old, but why do I see more & more cattle with ear tags in both ears? I have always done the left ear.

Patty.

[sammyd]

Maybe more people are using the insecticide ear tags.

[G. Seddon]

The brucellosis metal tag goes in the right ear, and we use our farm tag on the left ear (with the same number tattooed in the left ear). We tag our steers but don't tattoo them.

[sungirl]

No I know all about metal clips, insecticide tags, etc. I am talking about dairies putting numbers in both ears. (i.e right tag:#122 left tag:#122)

Patty.

[Up North]

If they tear one eartag out backing out of headlocks, etc., you still have an i.d. on the animal for management purposes.

[DaleK]

What UpNorth said, plus for registering cattle, most dairy registries now give the option (some require) to tag both ears instead of submitting pictures or tattooing.

[ozark_jewels]

We are putting eartags in both ears for two reasons.
If one eartag is torn out we still know who the cow is until we can replace the torn out tag.
And when they come in the barn no matter what side they come in on, we can still see the tag.

[DaleK]

Didn't notice you were in Quebec the first time through.

1. National ID http://www.nlid.org/english/index.htm
2. Holsteins in Canada are now almost exclusively registered using the double ear tags
3. I believe the rules in Quebec are now the same as in Ontario for grade A, if the inspector comes and finds an untagged animal on the farm you aren't grade A.

[sungirl]

Now that makes sence. I just started to wonder after seeing day old heifers with both ears done. That is some sight to have gaint tags in the ear.
I use a single tag, with a tatto in right ear with her number. I got this idea way of id from the dairy we got our day old heifers from.

Patty.