Ear Tags

[morningstarfarm]

I went out to the barn this morning and wondered why Noelle was standing off by herself so I walked over to her. Apparently she got her ear tag caught on something and ripped it out of her ear.  It is not bleeding but I'm sure it hurt like heck.  This is the third animal that we have had this happen to (in the past year) and I hate it....What kind of tags do you use to identify your animals? Is there something better that is less likely to get caught on fencing?
I added a picture of Frost, she ripped her tag out last year and you can see what her ear looks like after. I also added a picture of Esther so you can see what type of tags we are using.
Didn't have time to walk the field but I will when I get home from work to see if I can find out where she got stuck. Thanks!

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[Deleted]

I get the smallest ones. They are kind of flexible so that helps to. I dont like the ones that you are using they are to big and hang down to low. Easy to read I know but to easy to catch on stuff.

 

[lakeportfarms]

You need ear tags because yours don't come when you call them by name?

In all seriousness, if you get the smaller ones there is a slightly lesser chance they'll get snagged and caught, but anything helps.  I think it is mostly the back thin flat side of the tag on the back of the ear that is most likely part to snag.  There is a tag called a Z-Tag that is a one piece design that is supposedly less likely to snag but I'm not personally familiar with it.  Our approach has been to try to eliminate as many possible things around the farm that can snag them.  I think field fence is the biggest culprit, and we've moved mostly toward high tensile fence for that reason.  Also make sure any hay feeders, etc. where the cows are likely to put their heads into don't have places where the tags can snag.

[otf]

We use an ear tag just like the brucellosis tags (small metal ones); they've been pre-engraved with OTF ###. Occasionally a tag will disappear but not often (maybe two in 15 years?). The "OTF ###" is also tattooed in the heifer's left ear (we put tags in the steers, but only tattoo the heifers, and, of course, any bull calf that we sell).

I believe, however, that the RFID tags are considered permanent identification. Our ear tags and the ear tattoo are NOT considered permanent ID. So you need those round RFID tags for out of state transport. Your vet should have all that information and be able to provide you with RFID tags if you need them.

Gale

[morningstarfarm]

Hans that's funny....mine do come running when you call but they don't necessarily care what you call them as long as there's a little grain or treat involved....lol.

We have tried the z-tags in the past and they eventually fall out, without ripping ears though. We do have lots of field fence so maybe we'll go with a smaller tag and see how that works. Is it possible that we are putting the tags out to far and we need to put them in closer to their heads?

Gale we have a little bull calf with the metal tag in his ear, I'm going to see how it holds up. We have the vet coming out next week so I'll talk to him about them. For now we will use the small tag that Mike says he is using.

thanks for the input everyone!

[genebo]

I have to put in a plug for using horns to identify them. I've only had 8 with horns at the same time, but each of them could be identified at long range. I could drive by the pasture and inventory all the Dexters on the fly.

[wvdexters]

Caitlyn lost hers almost two yrs ago. It was just a small one she came here with, but it left a really nasty rip in her ear. I haven't replaced it. She is very easy to identify by her horn tips.

We've been talking about maybe going to tattoos instead, but I heed to find out more about them. How long do they last before they need to be redone? And I'm sure there is special equipment needed too. I wish I had been able to go to the workshop at Gene's farm last season.

[jamshundred]

I have used metal tags ( like OTF which I ordered with my farm ID and consecutive numbers) and the plastic tags.  I have had a few animals with ripped ears from both.  I stopped using the metal tags.  They seem to get "loose" with time.   I use the smallest tags that allflex offers and order them from Nasco.  PAGE 7 -   i LIKE THE WHITE OR THE YELLOW or the pale green that another company offers.  Last time I ordered the orange and the black lettering is difficult to read on them.  I can read the white and yellow quite a distance but I have to get close to read the orange.   There are two tricks I've discovered to keeping them in.   Put the punch through the middle of the ear so that the tag hangs inside the ear or barely below it and after you put in the tag, by hand, squeeze it tight together.   If you use metal . . . .squeeze them as well.  It helps lock them securely.  I am not fond of the RFID or EID tags.  They are thick and heavy.


I had some hay bales in the back of my little truck and the tailgate down.  I looked out the window and a cow was in the driveway munching on the hay.    When I looked back she was standing the sme way. . . very still.  Out the door I ran. . . I knew there was a problem!   She was wearing a link neckchain and somehow managed to get it hooked over the tailgate release button which then closed on it so that she was held tightly in place.    The neck chains are connected with rings which operate like a keychain ring.  They are equally as difficult to spread apart with just fingers to slide the chain free.  I should have thought and taken a picture.  The darnest things happen on a farm!   

Judy