Acreage security: Marking animals
Living the Country Life Radio Program with Betsy Freese
Radio interview source: Mike Neary, Extension animal scientist, Purdue University
Animal identification is the basis for keeping accurate production records. When an animal is born or bought, it should be given only one unique number, which will identify it as long as you have it. We ear tag all our sheep a few days after birth.
There are many different systems to use, including ear tags, tattoos, notching, microchips, and branding. Mike Neary is an extension animal specialist at Purdue University, and says for the best protection, use two forms of ID on each animal.
"If something gets lost or pulled out or altered inadvertently, you still have another form of identification you can fall back on," Neary says. "And generally the best way to do it is to use a permanent type form of identification like an ear tattoo in conjunction with a temporary form of identification like ear tags."
Many producers use electronic ear tags. A microchip is embedded in the ear tag, which is placed in the animal. It's read using a reader device and computer. This is the form of identification that the US is moving towards to eradicate diseases like scrapie -- a fatal brain disease that affects sheep and goats -- and track animals back to producers who raised them. Our market lambs have a USDA tag for scrapie.
