How to Use Cattle Ear Tags for Identification

Each ear tag is a unique identifier for each head of cattle.

Today, it is the law that cattle are tracked from birth to slaughter to help protect both the health of each animal and the health of the public that will eventually purchase the products made from that animal. For this reason, cattle ranchers use ear tags to mark each and every head of cattle with a unique identifier that allows them to track every aspect of the animals' lives, including age, health status, veterinary treatments, feeding schedules, relocations, and sales. Many of these tags also contain Radio Frequency Identification Devices or RFIDs that help to track cattle electronically.

Things You'll Need

• Ear tags
• Tag applicator
• Disinfectant
• RFID transponders
• PC or PDA
• Cattle management software

Instructions

1. Herd each cow or steer into a head gate and close the gate to hold the animal and expose its head.

2. Dip the male portion of the ear tag into a disinfectant to reduce the risk of infection and promote healing. Place both male and female portions of the ear tag into the applicator pliers.

3. Hold the cow's ear flap and position the ear within the applicator pliers so that female portion of the tag faces the inside of the ear flap. Position the tag between the cartilage ribs in the ear, about 1/4 of the length of the ear from the head, according to the Michigan State University Extension. Place visual ID tags in the right ear and RFID tags in the left ear.

4. Squeeze the handles of the pliers together to pierce the cow's ear and lock the tag onto the ear. Release the pliers to free them from the ear tag.

5. Record the number of the ear tag in a database, spreadsheet or cattle management software application.

6. Record any significant occurrences in the life of each head of cattle tied to its unique identifier. This can include veterinary visits and treatments, inspections, relocation and other events, particularly those required by law.

7. Install RFID transponders in strategic areas to track the movement and handling of cattle, including stalls, corrals, feed lots, alleys and head gates, if using an electronic tracking system. If possible, connect these transponders wirelessly to a data accumulator, such as a PC or PDA, that will store the information for each head of cattle in the software.

8. Scan cattle with hand-held transponders to provide tracking in locations where RFID antennas are not installed.

Tips & Warnings

• Some states, such as Michigan, now require RFID tagging of all cattle within the state using RFID tags approved by the state's department of agriculture.

References

• North Dakota State University: BeefTalk: With Every Ear Tag, There Should Be a Cow Attached
• Michigan State University Extension: Radio Frequency Identification Technology for Cattle
• Michigan State University Extension: Radio Frequency Identification Ear Tag Application and Management
• University of Tennessee: Guidelines for Applying EID Ear Tags to Steers Entered in Tennessee Junior Livestock Exposition