Identification of Farm Animals and Its Importance

 Identification of Farm Animals and Its Importance

Identification of farm animals is a fundamental aspect of livestock management with far-reaching implications for traceability, health monitoring, and overall operational efficiency. This article explores the importance of identifying farm animals and the various methods employed for this purpose.

The identity of an animal has to be established soon after its birth. Many dairymen name their cows but do not have any marks for their identification. For a small herd the naming of animals may serve the purpose to some extent, but for large farms and moreover with pure breed animals, it is always necessary to put some sort of identification marks on each animal. Individual animal identification allows producers to keep records on an animal’s parentage, birth date, production records, health history and other important management information.

PURPOSE OF IDENTIFICATION

1. Maintenance of proper records on dairy farm. 2. Proper feeding of animals. 3. Better management practices whenever required. 4. Designation and identification of animals. 5. Requirement for registration of purebred animals. 6. Helps in advancing loans and insurance of animals. 7. For issuing the health certificate. 8. Performing necessary medical treatment in the farm and in need to determine an exact scheme of treatment for the cured animal and later to have information about the prohibition period for milk and meat.

Importance of Identification

1. Traceability:

• Relevance: Identification provides a means to trace an animal’s origin, movements, and interactions throughout its life. This is crucial for disease control, food safety, and regulatory compliance.

2. Health Monitoring:

• Relevance: Identification facilitates the tracking of an individual animal’s health history, vaccination status, and medical treatments. This aids in disease prevention, early detection, and targeted intervention.

3. Breeding Records:

• Relevance: Identification helps maintain accurate breeding records, including parentage, genetic information, and performance metrics. This is vital for implementing selective breeding programs to enhance desirable traits.

4. Ownership and Legal Compliance:

• Relevance: Identification serves as a legal requirement for ownership documentation, sales transactions, and adherence to regional regulations. Proper identification ensures compliance with animal welfare laws and industry standards.

5. Management Efficiency:

• Relevance: Identification enhances overall farm management by enabling efficient record-keeping, resource allocation, and decision-making. It facilitates the monitoring of production parameters, such as milk yield or weight gain.

Methods of Identification

1. Ear Tags:

• Description: Durable tags attached to the ear, often with a unique alphanumeric code.
• Advantages: Easily visible, customizable, and suitable for various species.
• Considerations: Regular checks for wear and tear are necessary.

2. Microchips:

• Description: Small electronic devices implanted under the skin, containing a unique identification number.
• Advantages: Permanent, tamper-proof, and widely used for companion animals.
• Considerations: Requires specialized equipment for scanning.

3. Brands and Tattoos:

• Description: Permanent markings on the skin or hair coat, representing a unique identifier.
• Advantages: Durable and visible without the need for additional equipment.
• Considerations: May be less practical for certain species or aesthetic considerations.

4. Biometrics:

• Description: Utilizes unique physical characteristics, such as facial recognition or iris scans.
• Advantages: Non-invasive, technology-driven, and potential for automation.
• Considerations: Requires advanced technology infrastructure.

5. Collars and Necklaces:

• Description: Identification tags or devices worn around the neck.
• Advantages: Visible and can accommodate additional sensors (e.g., GPS for location tracking).
• Considerations: Prone to wear and tear, especially in outdoor environments.

Technological Advancements

1. RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification):

• Description: Uses radio-frequency signals to transmit information stored on a tag or microchip.
• Advantages: Efficient, scalable, and widely adopted for tracking and identification.
• Considerations: Initial setup costs and potential for signal interference.

2. GPS (Global Positioning System):

• Description: Incorporates satellite technology to track an animal’s location in real-time.
• Advantages: Enables precise monitoring of grazing patterns, movement, and environmental impact.
• Considerations: Requires a power source and may be cost-prohibitive for large herds.

3. Blockchain Technology:

• Description: Utilizes decentralized and secure databases for transparent and tamper-proof record-keeping.
• Advantages: Enhances traceability, data integrity, and information sharing within the supply chain.
• Considerations: Requires infrastructure investment and industry-wide collaboration.

METHODS OF IDENTIFICATION

There are 2 methods of identification: 1. Temporary identification 2. Permanent identification

TEMPORARY IDENTIFICATION

i) We may put the mark with the help of paint. When using livestock paints or markers only use non-toxic materials intended for use on livestock. ii) Hanging certain numbers with the help of neck chain. iii) Ear tag Ear tagging is most commonly and widely used method of identification of farm animals.

Livestock ear tags were developed in 1799 under the direction of Sir Joseph Banks, President of the Royal Society, for identification of Merino sheep in the flock established for King George III. Matthew Boulton designed and produced the first batch of sheep ear tags, and produced subsequent batches, modified according to suggestions received from Banks. The first tags were made of tin. An ear tag is a plastic or metal object used for identification of domestic livestock and other animals. If the ear tag uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, then it is often referred to as an electronic ear tag. Electronic ear tags conform to international standards ISO 11784 and ISO 11785 working at 134.2 KHz, as well as ISO/IEC 18000-6C operating in the UHF spectrum. There are other nonstandard systems such as Destron working at 125 KHz.

Although there are many shapes of ear tags, the main types in current use are as follows: ·

Flag-shaped ear tag: two discs joined through the ear, one or both bearing a wide, flat plastic surface on which identification details are written or printed in large, easily legible script.

· Button-shaped ear tag: two discs joined through the ear.

· Plastic clip ear tag: a moulded plastic strip, folded over the edge of the ear and joined through it.

· Metal ear tag: an aluminium, steel or brass rectangle with sharp points, clipped over the edge of the ear, with the identification stamped into it. Each of these except the metal type may carry a RFID chip, which normally carries an electronic version of the same identification number. An ear tag usually carries an Animal Identification Number (AIN) or code for the animal, or for its herd or flock. This identification number (ID) may be assigned by some national organisations (usually in the form of Property Identification Code, or PIC), or they may be handwritten for the convenience of the farmer (“management tags”). The National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) of Australia regulations require that all cattle be fitted with a RFID device in the form of an ear tag or rumen bolus (a cylindrical object placed in the rumen) before movement from the property and that the movement be reported to the NLIS. However, if animals are tagged for internal purposes in a herd or farm, IDs need not be unique in larger scales. The NLIS now also requires sheep and goats to use an ear tag that has the Property Identification Code inscribed on it. These ear tags and boluses are complemented by transport documents supplied by vendors that are used for identification and tracking. An ear tag can be applied with an ear tag applicator; however there are also specially-designed tags that can be applied by hand. Depending on the purpose of the tagging, an animal may be tagged on one ear or both. If there exists a national animal identification programme in a country, animals may be tagged on both ears for the sake of increased security and effectiveness, or as a legal requirement. If animals are tagged for private purposes, usually one ear is tagged.

PERMANENT IDENTIFICATION

i) Tattooing It has been adopted by beef breed associations as a standard for identifying animals because it is most satisfactory method for permanent individual marking. When properly done, a tattoo is permanent, definite and not easily changed.

ii) Branding: – There are 2 types of branding:

a) Hot branding: Brand made of iron rod, numbered and passed through flame. The most common site for hot branding is the lower part of thigh. Site is prepared by washing and shaving. When brand is red hot, it is applied to the skin.

b) Cold branding: In case of Cold branding, we use liquid nitrogen (-196°C). After dipping the numbered brand in liquid nitrogen it is applied to the shaven part (lower part of the thigh). Some of the cells beneath the skin are burnt.

iii) Electronic implant: In this method chip in the form of bolus is inserted in rumen. Chip can be safely kept in the rumen because it is indigestible.

iv) Ear Notching Ear notching is widely used in the swine industry as a system of animal identification. Ear notching can also be used in other animal species, but it is not utilized as widely as it is in the swine industry. Ear notching involves removing V-shaped portions of the pig’s ear that correspond to a specific litter number and also an individual pig number from that litter. Pigs being kept as replacement breeding stock and for exhibition purposes need to be ear notched. Ear tags are often used in conjunction with ear notches in a breeding herd. Theoretically, animals do not have to be caught to read the identification. However, it takes practice to read the notches quickly.

CONCLUSION

The basis for data collection and many other important management practices is accurate animal identification. Based on an animal’s records producers and managers can make many valuable decisions. As there are many methods for animal identification and each method has its pros and cons so it is often advisable to use more than one method to increase the accuracy of identification based on the expected use of the animal. The identification of farm animals is an integral component of modern livestock management, offering a myriad of benefits that extend from traceability and health monitoring to breeding management and legal compliance. As technology continues to advance, the integration of sophisticated identification methods, such as RFID, GPS, and blockchain, holds the potential to revolutionize the way farm animals are managed, ensuring greater efficiency, transparency, and sustainability in the agricultural sector.

 

Compiled  & Shared by- This paper is a compilation of groupwork provided by the

Team, LITD (Livestock Institute of Training & Development)

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 Reference-On Request.

Importance of Ear Tagging In Animals