Identification tags?

[opportunity]

I have been using Ytex tagger, but there must be something better. I have broken three of the applicator gun pins the blue plastic part is fine and you can replace the metal part but it's a pain. They want $25 for these so it's getting expensive and once they are broken you have to fix them or they will just bend the tags and not insert. These broken applicators have all been on older cattle the calves seem to be fine but it's not the pressure on the applicator. I also have 5 tags that have broken off this year the button part is still in the ear but the part I wrote on the tag is gone, I know my cows so I can relable everyone but it's a pain that they came off in about 9 months. I though the plastic part was supposed to last.
So what do you use and how well does it last? I have tatoos and brads to know what ones are mine but whos who is nice to

[Bret]

I think that I have similar one. I buy white tags and write on them with a black pen twice...or the ink fades quick. My tags have not broken but I have had some pull through tearing the ear holes through. They must get caught on something.

I have learned the hard way twice, to use as much pressure as my hands can make to get the tag punched all the way through to the backer. I have to replace them about once a year when I have them in the chute.

I use the same ear holes on the cows.

[haypoint]

Different farms have different problems. Many tags are lost on big round baler twine. If you are good about keeping the bales unwrapped, that reduces loss. Some hay feeders and mangers have pinch points that catch tags.

[G. Seddon]

Keep in mind that there are now new requirements for animals going interstate; evidently, ear tattoos are no longer considered permanent ID's (I don't know about brands, but I guess they are):

http://www.cattlenetwork.com/cattle-...189021521.html

[unregistered41671]

This system has worked well and for a long time on cattle with relatively short hair. Long ear hair can make the ear marks difficult to see.
http://www.longwood.k12.ny.us/histor...al/earmark.htm

[opportunity]

Originally Posted by G. Seddon

Keep in mind that there are now new requirements for animals going interstate; evidently, ear tattoos are no longer considered permanent ID's (I don't know about brands, but I guess they are):

http://www.cattlenetwork.com/cattle-...189021521.html

I also brand my animals and tatoo them, but the tags make it easier for others to help identify what animal it is.
I use White tags (have to it's my assigned color on the open pasture we use in the summer) I write on them with markers this hasn't been to much a problem they fade but I put a new one on on ever year.
I have had ear tags pull out or though in the past but this is odd they are breaking off and half is still in the animal. I feed round bales rolled out in the field so we cut the strings and then unroll the whole thing there are not many strings left in the field.

[opportunity]

Originally Posted by Possum Belly

This system has worked well and for a long time on cattle with relatively short hair. Long ear hair can make the ear marks difficult to see.
http://www.longwood.k12.ny.us/histor...al/earmark.htm

That is an interesting way to mark. I do have highlands so it might make it very hard to see

[ycanchu2]

Originally Posted by Possum Belly

This system has worked well and for a long time on cattle with relatively short hair. Long ear hair can make the ear marks difficult to see.
http://www.longwood.k12.ny.us/histor...al/earmark.htm

What do you make the cuts with? wire cutters? pruning shears?

[unregistered41671]

Originally Posted by ycanchu2

What do you make the cuts with? wire cutters? pruning shears?

Back when I was marking calves ears, we used a regular three blade stockman pocket knife and used the sheepfoot blade to mark ears. It gave lots better control and you could feel the point through the ear. Look at #9 on this page.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blade

http://www.casexx.com/DisplayPattern...tternAutoID=27

[G. Seddon]

Ear notchers?
http://www.enasco.com/c/farmandranch.../Ear+Notchers/

I think the vet uses one of these to get an ear notch for BVD-PI testing.

[unregistered41671]

Originally Posted by G. Seddon

Ear notchers?
http://www.enasco.com/c/farmandranch.../Ear+Notchers/

I think the vet uses one of these to get an ear notch for BVD-PI testing.

I am sure they work well on bovine ears. I have seen a good many hog producers use notchers.

[Awnry Abe]

I don't know if they are any better, but I have had very good luck with Z-tags. I haven't lost any yet, but I'm only 2 years old in rancher years.

[randiliana]

We use y-tex tags also. I have found them to be the best tags for us and we rarely lose any. I don't use the big blue tagger, just the regular pliers and I have never had any problems with them, ever.

[opportunity]

Originally Posted by randiliana

We use y-tex tags also. I have found them to be the best tags for us and we rarely lose any. I don't use the big blue tagger, just the regular pliers and I have never had any problems with them, ever.

How do you use the regular pliers to insert tags?

[ramiller5675]

I use the Y-Tex tags and the only problem I've had is a couple pulling through the ear and a heifer that somehow got her tag caught in something, then split her ear getting out, and lost her tag.

The oldest tags are about 4 years old and you can still read the numbers, although I use the tags that are already printed with the number (which is sort of pressed into the tag).

[randiliana]

Originally Posted by opportunity

How do you use the regular pliers to insert tags?

I use these type of tag pliers. Just have to have the right pin for the buttons.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Compact-Tagge...cbefca4&_uhb=1

[oregon woodsmok]

We ear tattoo when they are first born. They can lose the tags, and if they do, you can put them into the head gate, shave the ear and read the tattoo, so you don't lose the identifying information on the calf.

I've never done micro chip in cattle, but that would work for permanent.

The ear tags are so you can ID without getting real close.

I've tried neck chains and they didn't last more than a couple of days.

Freeze marking would be excellent for a mark that could be read from a distance and you can register that brand to help prevent theft.

[bruce2288]

I have used all=flex and y-tex. It does not matter every year I will have a tag or two missing. I have considered useing a small button tag in the opposite ear from the big tag I can read, kind of as a safety id. The round button tag inside the ear would be less prone to rippping out or breaking and the sun protection would decrease fadeing.
The stamped tags will fade to be alsmost unreadable in 4 years. If you are useing the market to write your own tags, I find I get a longer life if the tags are warm when writeing numbers. I think the ink penetrates better.