Cattle Identification

Mali Lewis
Communication 1310

Cattle Identification in Commercial Agriculture

Topic: Methods of Cattle Identification
Organization: Topically
Specific Purpose: I want my audience to understand the different methods of cattle identification that are used in the commercial agriculture industry.

I. Introduction
A. Attention getter: A traditional West Texas saying goes, “trust your neighbors, but brand your cattle.”
B. Relevance: Commercial agriculture contributes to the food we eat, and through the methods of cattle identification the industry is efficient and safe. We also live in Texas and are surround by the branded beasts.
C. Credibility Statement: As an agriculture student here at Texas State, I am learning about the process of cattle
identification. I am interested in this subject and its implications in the agriculture and food industry.
D. Central Idea: Cattle identification in commercial agriculture is done in many different ways and is important in both the agriculture and food industry.
E. Initial Preview: To fully understand the concept of cattle identification in commercial agriculture it is good to understand the different ways to identify cattle, such as hot/cold branding, ear tagging, and tattooing.

Transition: Let’s start with the oldest form of identification in the cattle industry.

II. Body

A. Hot and cold branding are permanent forms of identification in cattle that are used in the commercial agriculture industry.
1. According to the Black’s Veterinary Dictionary, branding is “the application of an identifying mark” (“Branding”, 2005).
2. Hot iron branding is a traditional form of branding that has been used for thousands of years around the world. Through this method a branding iron is heated through fire, propane, or electricity. When the metal iron has reached a certain temperature the brand is applied to the cow, held for a few seconds, and removed after it has completely burned the hair follicles, leaving a permanent marking. This method is practical and used in mature cows as the scar left in the shape of the brand is permanent and easy to read.
3. The exact opposite of hot branding is cold branding. This form of branding is commonly known as freeze branding, and is a method that involves the use of liquid nitrogen or dry ice and alcohol to free the cow’s hide, changing the color pigmentation without killing the hair follicle. This method works best in darker colored cattle, as the resulting hair is turned white. This method is commonly used on calves.

Transition: The second form of cattle identification in commercial agriculture I would like to discuss is the method of ear tagging.
B. The use of ear tags on cattle in commercial agriculture is a very common practice, with the individual ID form of plastic cattle tags being used in 57.5 percent of beef cattle in the United States (“Cattle Identification”, 2009).
1. Ear tags are frequently used in the commercial agriculture industry, as they are cheap and easy to apply. They are made of plastic, and can be purchased numbered or unnumbered.
2. Ear tags can only be applied with a specific applicator corresponding to a specific tag. They come in many different colors and sizes. Ear tags can be used in many different climates and environments. This method is frequently used for large herds of cattle in commercial agriculture.
3. To apply an ear tag is much like piercing an ear; the tag is pierced with an applicator gun in a specific place in the ear. Ear tags are not permanent, and may fall out of the ear, be ripped out of the ear, and fade with use.

Transition: Finally, the third type of cattle identification I would like to discuss in commercial agriculture is the method of
tattooing.

C. The use of tattoos on cattle in commercial agriculture is reserved for special situations in the commercial industry but acts as an effective form of permanent identification in cattle.
1. Purdue University defines the process of tattooing as, “imprinting an identification number/letter combination into the skin of the animal using inedible ink” (Neary & Yager, 2002).
2.
The process of tattooing an animal is very similar to tattooing a person. The skin is pierced and ink is applied, leaving a permanent mark on the skin of the animal. Tattooing of cows is typically done when they are calves, and can be done in the inner ear or inside of the lip.
3. Tattooing is generally done in the cattle industry on more significant animals than general cattle. This form of identification helps to preserve the hide of the cow making it more valuable.

III. Conclusion
A. Transition to Conclusion: After this speech I hope you now know some of the various methods of cattle identification done today.
B. Restate Central Idea: Cattle identification in commercial agriculture is done in various ways and is important in both the agricultural and food industries.
C. Final Summary: Now you know more about the methods of hot and cold branding, ear tagging, and lip tattooing used for cattle identification in the commercial agriculture industry.
D. Memorable Closing: Now you will be able to look at a cow’s hind with an enlightened perspective.

References
Black's Veterinary Dictionary. (2005). Branding. Retrieved from: http://search.credoreference.com.libproxy.txstate.edu/ content/entry/ acbvet/branding/0?searchId=9a786978-d295-11e4-b292-0aea1e3b2a
47&result=0
Government of Saskatchewan. (2014, January). Cattle and horse branding. Retrieved from: http://www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Default.aspx?DN=8a97bc86-0ab6-4a72-97d9-156eab30881b Midland Reporter-Telegram. (2014, August 12). Theft prevention: Ranger warns of increased cattle rustling, oilfield thefts. Retrieved from: http://www.mrt.com/news/article_95aaafe0 -229a-11e4-81c2-0019bb2963f4.html
Neary, M., & Yager, A. (2002, December). Methods of livestock identification. Retrieved from: https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/as/as-556-w.pdf
United States Department of Agriculture. (2009, February). Cattle identification practices on U.S. beef cow-calf operations. Retrieved from: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/ nahms/beefcowcalf/downloads/ beef0708/Beef0708_is_CattleID.pdf