Individual ID |
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Maintaining identification of individual animals and health records in a herd are essential to ensuring animal health and welfare, as they are necessary to monitor individual and herd health, evaluate if therapies are adequate, and identify areas in need of attention.
Which animals to assess:
Male and female calves, heifers, bulls, and cows
How to assess:
All animals must be identified by a unique, readable identification (ID) which can either be an ear tag or neck band.
Newborn calves may not be tagged immediately, but there must be evidence that calves are tagged within 24 hours. Calves that are to be sold must have, at a minimum, a metal or plastic ear tag or clip with the ID recorded.
While some states require herd-level brand ID, hot iron or freeze branding for individual ID is prohibited.
Newborn calves may not be tagged immediately, but there must be evidence that calves are tagged within 24 hours. Calves that are to be sold must have, at a minimum, a metal or plastic ear tag or clip with the ID recorded.
While some states require herd-level brand ID, hot iron or freeze branding for individual ID is prohibited.
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Acceptable
Calves in the foreground have individual ID ear tags. The calves in the center and top right are not tagged, but based on their wet hair, they were born recently
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Unacceptable
The calf in the center is individually branded
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