Methods of Livestock Identification, AS-556-W

1 Michael Neary, Extension Animal ScientistAnn Yager, Animal Sciences StudentAS-556-WMethods of Livestock IdentificationPurdue UniversityDepartment ofAnimal SciencesAnimal identification is the basis forkeeping accurate production recordsof the herd/flock. Individual animalidentification allows producers tokeep records on an animal's parentage,birth date, production records, healthhistory, and a host of other importantmanagement information. Accuraterecords provide the producer withenough information to make indi-vidual or whole herd/flock manage-ment decisions. In many instances,the producer needs to be able toquickly identify an animal. A suc-cessful identification system makesthis task more efficient. Identificationis also important to indicate owner-ship of a particular animal, or toindicate the herd/flock of are many identificationsystems, but selection should be basedon the method that best fits anoperation's needs.

2 Factors such as sizeof the operation, type of records kept,and source of replacement breedingstock, determines which system(s) tochoose. When selecting forms ofidentification, consider the applicationmethods for each type, along withvisibility from a distance, equipmentneeded for application, cost, perma-nence, and how easy or difficult themethod is to apply. Two differentmethods should be used to assurepermanent identification. Once asystem has been selected, it is impor-tant to be consistent with providingeach animal a unique and permanentidentification number that matches witheach method used. Be careful not toduplicate numbers over a minimum of aten-year an animal is born/purchased, itshould be identified immediately withonly one unique number, which willserve as its identification number untilit departs from the SystemsThere are many numbering systemsthat can be used to identify animals in aherd.

3 One of the most commonly usedand highly recommended systems usesa combination of letters and numbers,designating birth year and birth order,respectively. Such a system is shownin Table 1. The letters O, Q, V, and Iare not used, they could be mistaken asnumbers. This leaves 22 letters, whichwhen combined with numbers can formthe basis for individual animal identifi-cation. This system ensures a uniqueFarm AnimalManagement @PurdueFarm AnimalManagement @PurdueTable 1: Letter identification Z1994 D1998 H2002 M2006 S2010 X1991 A1995 E1999 J2003 N2007 T2011 Y1992 B1996 F2000 K2004 P2008 U2012 Z1993 C1997 G2001 L2005 R2009 W2013 ASource: Beef Cattle Identification Methods . Nelson et will not be replicated over a 22-year period. For example, an animal withthe ID number L10 or L010 was the 10thanimal born into the herd in notching involves removing V-shaped portions of the pig's ear thatcorrespond to a specific litter number andalso an individual pig number from thatlitter.

4 Not all operations find it necessaryto notch ears at processing, and some mayonly notch a litter number, or the week ofbirth. It is necessary to notch a pig's earsfor litter and individual numbers when thepig needs to be recognized separately fromother pigs. Pigs being kept as replacementbreeding stock and for exhibition purposesneed to be ear notched. Ear tags are oftenused in conjunction with ear notches in abreeding 2: Number identification systemYear of Birth Birth Order ID 1995 1st5001 2002 10th2510 2011 100th1100 2015 50th5050 2021 150th1650 Figure 1: A pig after removal of a v-shapednotch at the 3-position on the right YagerFigure 2: Ear notching system used by thepurebred swine associations of the YagerAnother system, which can be used forsmaller herds of less than 500, consists ofusing only numbers to indicate birth yearand birth order.

5 The ID number is madeup using the last digit of the birth year asthe first number of the identificationnumber. The next three numbers of the IDcorrespond to the birth order. To avoidduplication in this system, use _001 --_499 for the first ten years (from 1990-2000), and _500 -- _999 for the secondten years (from 2001-2010), rotatingevery ten years. For example, in Table 2,the animals born in 1995, 2011, and 2015are identified using the last digit of theirbirth year, and the ending from _001 --_499, depending on their birth order. Theanimals born in 2002 and 2021 are identi-fied using the last digit of their birth year,followed by adding their birth order to anumber from _500 --_999, to get the lastthree digits of their ID MethodsEar Notching (Figure 1) Ear notchingis widely used in the swine industry as asystem of animal identification. There arevariations in systems, but all of themidentify a pig by litter number and indi-vidual pig number.

6 Ear notching can alsobe used in other animal species, but it isnot utilized as widely as it is in the are many systems of ear notching,but when using the system of ear notchingrequired by the purebred swine associa-tions of the United States, the litter num-ber is notched in the pig's right ear, andthe individual pig number is notched inthe pig's left ear (See Figure 2). Thenotches from the right and left ear shouldcombine to give each pig a unique identi-fication number. The notches are num-bered from the bottom of the ear, with thenumber one being next to the this number by three willgive the next notch number ( , 3, 9, 27)which is adjacent to the area where theprevious notch was located. Start at thebottom of the ear next to the head andcontinue to the top of the ear, then workback toward the head. The exception tothis is the tip of the right ear, which is theposition for the notch, with the exception of the81-notch, can only have two notches forany single number.

7 For example, a pigidentified as 28-3 would be the third pigfrom the twenty-eighth litter. This pigwould have one notch each at the 27 and1position on the right ear, and one notchat the 3 position on the left ear. A pigidentified as 18-2 would have two notcheseach at the 9 and 1 positions on theappropriate notch ears, use an appropriate sizednotcher, according the age of the is important to keep the equipment indisinfectant to prevent infection. Earnotching causes minimal stress to the pigs,and they can be returned immediatelyback to the crate. The notches will bleed,but not heavily, and a scab will form inabout a day. The notches will be com-pletely healed in about a week. It isusually easiest to notch ears at the sametime as other pig processing pigs must be notched within 7days of TagsEar tags are another common form ofidentification used in all species. Anumber of companies make and sell eartags and corresponding applicators.

8 Theflexible, plastic tags can be bought pre-numbered (Figure 3), or they can bepurchased as blank tags. The producercan use ear tag ink to number them ac-cordingly. The tags come in a variety ofcolors and sizes. Selection depends on theage of the animal and the environmentwhere the animal tags are pierced through theanimal's ear, and allow for an animal to beidentified from the front and the back, ifthe tag is numbered on both sides. Tagsshould be installed between the secondand third cartilage rib (Figure 4) of one orboth ears, using an applicator gun thatFigure 3: Ear tagging pliers and plastic,pre-numbered YagerFigure 4: Diagram illustrating the 2nd and3rd ribs of the Yager4corresponds to the type of ear tag beingused. Ear tags are easy to use, flexible inall types of weather, inexpensive, andusually easy to read. There can also belimitations with ear tags. They can beripped from the ear, or become lost if notapplied properly.

9 Permanent marking inkis used to number blank ear tags. How-ever, the ink can fade over time. It isrecommended that another method ofidentification be used along with ear BrandingFreeze branding is another method ofanimal identification that allows foranimals to be identified from a greaterdistance than with ear tags. Brands canbe read any time of the year. Freezebranding, similar to hot branding,involves the use of branding irons, withletters and numbers, being chilled inliquid nitrogen or dry ice and application to the animal's hide, thechilled branding iron kills the cells thatproduce color pigment in the hairfollicles, but does not kill the growthfollicles. After freeze branding, white orcolorless follicles are produced in thebranded region, which results in apermanent brand (Figure 5).Freeze branding irons come in varioussizes and are usually made of copper,copper alloy (brass), or bronze, because oftheir temperature holding capacity.

10 Somerecommended equipment and items tohave on hand include: Holding chute for restraint of theanimal Container for liquid nitrogen or dry iceandalcohol Electric clippers with a surgical blade Grooming equipment for cleaning thebrand site Gloves Squirt bottle with a solution of 95%isopropyl alcohol Branding irons Timing deviceThe branding procedure consists ofcooling the irons in liquid nitrogen or dryice and alcohol, until they are ready foruse (Figure 6). The irons are ready foruse when the "boiling" of the liquidsurrounding the irons diminishes. WhileTable 3: Application timesHair colorApplication time at weaning(Add 15 seconds for yearlings)Black45 secondsDark Red1 minuteYellow1 minute, 15 secondsWhite2 minutes, 15 secondsFigure 6: Branding irons soaking in awooden box filled with liquid YagerFigure 5: Freeze brand number D98 onthe Yager5the irons are being cooled, restrain theanimal in the squeeze chute, and beginclipping the hair in the branding area,usually in a rectangular shape, followedby brushing or using a blower to removeany loose hair or dirt.