Beef cattle production and management
Practical Action
Chapter Six - Identification and Record Keeping
Introduction
There is need for any beef cattle farmer to have an identification system to be able to keep
production records. Ideally, the system or method of marking animals for identifying or
recording must be permanent, easily applied and clear enough to read from a reasonable
distance.
Objectives:
By the end of this session participants should be able to:
Articulate the different methods of identifying beef cattle
Appreciate the importance of information and records management in beef cattle
production and management
Tools:
Pictures of branded/notched animals, flip charts, markers
Method:
Group discussion, facilitatory notes
Provincial veterinary identification
To meet veterinary animal health regulations, all cattle over the age of six months must carry
a provincial brand on the left neck or shoulder. Pedigree cattle that can be identified individually
are exempted from these regulations.
Ownership identification
Cattle need to be marked for ready ownership identification and prevention of stock theft and
recovery of stolen and stray animals. Marking is usually done with hot iron brand and comprises
a set of numbers, letters or syrnbols registered at the Registrar General's Office. Each individual
cattle owner has to have this brand. Ownership brands provide an important source of
protection to the legal cattle owner.
Methods of marking animals
Many different methods and combinations are used to identify animals since no ideal method
has yet been found.
Branding
This involves the cauterization of the skin to kill the hair follicles and so leave a visible scar or
mark on the skin of the animal. This can be done using hot iron branding, chemical branding
and freeze branding. Over cauterization restricts blood supply to the enclosed area and results in
wounds that heal very slowly.
Hot iron branding
Hot iron branding requires skillful use. Good hot brands are recommended and can be read from
a fair distance although they may be less satisfactory if the animal's coat is woolly. The
dimensions of the branding irons are specified in the respective branding regulations, which give
a good guide for management brands.
Cattle need to be branded for
ownership identification
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