Livestock Identification

Question 1

Animal disease traceability (ADT)

Answer 1

-program of the United States department of agriculture
-identify origin of disease outbreak
-communicate disease outbreaks with producers
-reduce number of animals involved in disease investigation

Question 2

Animals moving interstate need…

Answer 2

Official identification in the form of ear tag, brand, microchip, transponder, and/or tattoo
-certificate of veterinary inspection

Question 3

Hot iron branding

Answer 3

-a heated, iron rod is used to permanently brand the animal
-iron brand is held to animal’s skin for 3-5 seconds
-firm pressure is required for a clear brand
-resulting brand will be tan and result in a scar

Question 4

Freeze branding

Answer 4

-a frozen, iron or copper brand
-temperature of brands is -320 degrees F
-site of brand must have hair clipped off and saturated in alcohol
-brand must be held in place for 25-30 seconds
-white haired animals cannot be freeze branded
-cold temperature kills cells that produce color pigment in hair follicles
-hair grows back white

Question 5

Ear tagging

Answer 5

-ears are pierced between the 2nd and 3rd cartilage rib
-ear tags are flexible, weatherproof, and inexpensive
-special ear tagging pliers are used to pierce and place the tag in the ear

Question 6

Microchips/transponders

Answer 6

-microchip is implanted under the skin
-common locations are between shoulder blades or near the base of the ear
-use an electronic number that contains records for the specific animal

Question 7

Electronic ear tagging

Answer 7

-same process as regular ear tagging
-contains a microchip that relays information specific to that animal
-ear tag can be lost or damaged

Question 8

Electronic collaring

Answer 8

-a collar is placed around the animal’s neck with an electronic tag attached
-easy to use and apply
-can cause choking if not applied properly

Question 9

Tattooing

Answer 9

-skin is pierced with tattoo pliers and ink is applied to the pierced skin
-the tattoo pliers imprint a combination of numbers and/or letters into the skin
-will be applied to the ear in most species
-can be difficult to read if not done properly

Question 10

Ear notching

Answer 10

-cut a V into the ear of animals
-each section of the ear correlates to a different number
-primarily used in the swine industry
-should only be conducted on young animals (1-14 days old)
-causes little pain and is affordable

Question 11

Neck chaining/collaring

Answer 11

-a chain or collar is applied around the animal’s neck with a tag attached to it
-tag contains a combination of numbers/letters
-must not be too loose or tight

Question 12

Nose printing

Answer 12

-each animal has a unique nose print
-ink is applied to the animal’s nose and the print is transferred to paper
-can be difficult to obtain a readable print
-mostly used in the sheep and cattle industry

Question 13

Retina scanning

Answer 13

-a camera is placed close to the animal’s eye and a photo of the retina is captured
-each animal has a unique retina
-mainly used for show livestock and/or expensive sale livestock for identity confirmation

Question 14

DNA analysis

Answer 14

-a hair sample and/or nasal swab is taken to obtain the animal’s DNA
-provides a proof of parentage, blood type, and can be used to verify the animal’s identity

Question 15

Leg/spiral banding

Answer 15

-only used in poultry industry
-a metal or plastic band is placed around the leg
-bands can be different colors
-bands can contain a combination of letters and/or numbers

Question 16

Wing badges

Answer 16

-wing badge is placed at the elbow joint of the wing by piercing the skin
-badge can be plastic or metal
-only used in the poultry industry
-primarily used on chickens

Question 17

Toe punching

Answer 17

-a tiny hole is punched into the web of poultry animal’s feet
-each section of the web represents a number
-16 number combinations can be created

Question 18

Number systems

Answer 18

-use numbers and/or letters to identify animals in a livestock operation
-utilized for the purpose of accurate record keeping, animal identification, and animal organization

Question 19

Numbering system 1

Answer 19

-uses a 3 to 4 digit number
-placed on ear tags or by branding
-1st number in the sequence represents the birth year
-last 2 our 3 numbers represent individual animal number
-ex: 214 or 2114

Question 20

Numbering system 2

Answer 20

-animal year is branded above the birth year or placed on an ear tag
-ex: 4/14 or 3-14
4=animal number
14=birth year

Question 21

Numbering system 3

Answer 21

-birth year is represented by a letter
-each breed association designates the letter and year codes
-can be placed on the animal in the form of a tag or brand
-ex: L405
L=birth year
405=animal number

Question 22

Numbering system 4

Answer 22

-assigns only an animal identification number
-these numbers run consecutive for the individual operation
-ex: 109
109th animal in operation
-runs 1-999

Question 23

Horse identification

Answer 23

-identification certificate
-hot iron branding: rump or shoulder
-freeze branding: rump or shoulder
-lip tattoo: inside of upper lip
-electronic microchip: upper neck
-dna analysis
-retina scan

Question 24

Cattle identification

Answer 24

-ear tags
-ear tattoos
-hot iron branding: rump or shoulder
-freeze branding: rump or shoulder
-electronic microchip
-neck chains
-nose prints

Question 25

Sheep and goat identification

Answer 25

-ear tags
-ear tattoos
-electronic microchip
-nose prints
-retina scan
-ear notching

Question 26

Swine identification

Answer 26

-ear notching
-ear tags
-electronic microchips
-tattoos: ear or shoulder

Question 27

Poultry identification

Answer 27

-leg bands
-spiraled leg bands
-metal wing bands
-wing badges
-toe punching