ear tags

[bourbonred]

We have had the hardest time keeping ear tags in. Either it rips their ears or the tag falls out. We tag and band newborns, and it's not that we're not squeezing the tagger sufficiently. What works for ya'll? How do you identify your cattle for records?

[oneokie]

Tags being ripped out says there are things that the tags are catching on and being ripped out when the livestock moves away from whatever. If you find a tag on the ground, or hanging on something, (fence, feeder) you need to rethink your operation surroundings. One other thing, what size tags are you using that are being ripped out, and what size livestock? Large tags and newborn calves in not a good combination.

Tags falling out can be due to improper application, or faulty tag components.

Are you using one piece or two piece tags?

[randiliana]

Also, where in the ear are you putting the tag?

http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex13125

[bourbonred]

Thanks for responding, guys. I had a chicken wire run that butted up to the cattle fence, now no more so I haven't seen a torn ear since, We are putting the tags deep in the ear and have used a 2 piece system. We have used both big and little tags. Maybe all cattle do it, but ours love to rub their heads against the exposed soil on a slope, it might be the salt in our area. I've thought for awhile that might be where we're losing some. Most of our cows are black all over without good distinguishing features. We thought about the little metal tags along with the bigger, more visible plastic tags we are currently using. That way if they lose their big tag, with a headgate we can still identify them.

[oneokie]

Originally Posted by bourbonred

Maybe all cattle do it, but ours love to rub their heads against the exposed soil on a slope,

Natural behavior for cattle.

We thought about the little metal tags along with the bigger, more visible plastic tags we are currently using. That way if they lose their big tag, with a headgate we can still identify them.

Consider a tatto outfit. Unless you have some unusual numbering system, a tatto outfit with 2 additonal sets of numbers will do quite well in permanately identifying your cattle.

[haypoint]

Depends on how many cows do you run? On solid colored cattle, you could freeze brand. You use the RFID. If you have only a few, you could read the small numbers by hand. If you have many, an electronlc tag reader isn't too costly and makes it a lot easier to read. The RFID fits in the ear and is round. Sometimes they can rip them out, like getting some twine wrapped around them, but not as common as the square tag variety.

[randiliana]

For backup with Black cows the metal tag would work the best, it is really hard to read a tattoo in a black ear. RFID tags would work too, but they are more likely to be lost than a metal one.

[bourbonred]

Thanks guys!