According to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) all calves born on a holding must be tagged within twenty days of birth. DAFM says keepers are obliged to order their annual requirement of ear tags directly from a pre-approved tag supplier. They do this by completing a tag order card from an approved tag supplier and returning it with the appropriate fee. Tagging calves is a straight forward job but can be dangerous when a cow is present. To start off the procedure separate the cow from the calf. During tagging, a calf might become stressed. If the cow senses her calf is upset her instincts may kick in to protect her young. This can result in cows attacking a farmer inside a calving bay. When removing the cow from the calving pen take care and be alert to the dangers. Most cows will be fine but there is always one that might not react well to being separated. Make sure to close the gates properly once the cow is removed.
When applying ear tags always place the female part on the inside (part with the button) and the male part (part with piercing mechanism) on the outside of the ear. A tissue tag applicator, such as the yellow one pictured from Allflex, was used in this case to apply the tissue sample tag. Cormac Tagging are also approved to supply cattle tags (see page 49). This tag is used to take a tissue sample from the calf’s ear to test for bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD). The tags pictured here were ordered last year. That is why they have “IE” present which of course represents Ireland. It is still fine to use these tags. However all new tags being ordered from here on will have a number to represent the country of an animal’s origin. The number 372 represents Ireland. The next number is the herd identifier and that is followed by the animal’s unique identification number.
Make sure to hold the calf firmly during tagging. If the calf is properly restrained there is less chance of having a mishap. The site in the ear where the tag is applied is important. It should be located between the two cartilage ridges in the centre of the ear which can be easily seen on the inner side of the ear. It’s important not to pierce the ridge because this can damage the ear and cause discomfort to the animal. When closing the applicator use a firm and constant pressure. Once closed allow the applicator to open immediately again. The ear tag will now be firmly attached to the ear.
Use the same procedure for applying the tissue sample tag. The type of applicator used will have a bearing on how the sample will be removed from the tag. Some applicators have the tissue sampler located on the male part of the applicator. In this case, the stainless steel tube section remains inside the applicator after the plastic tag has been applied to the ear of the animal. The steel tube is then inserted into a plastic container using the tissue applicator. The tube and container are fixed together. Other applicators automatically insert the sample into a container during tagging. The contained sample is then removed from the applicator ready for sending away.
On application of a pair of tags to a calf, the keeper must then register the animal through one of three avenues – online through DAFM’s agfood.ie facility or other approved software providers, through identically numbered registration forms or through registration booklets. This then registers the birth on DAFM’s AIM database. On receipt of a completed and valid registration application, the registration agency issues the keeper with a passport (blue card) for the animal concerned. This passport must accompany the animal each time it is moved. All movements of the animal throughout its life must be recorded on the passport.
Thanks to Basil Bothwell and Sean Curren from Killeshandra in Co Cavan for demonstrating the tagging procedure.
Read more from our special focus on animal identification
Watch: Mullinahone’s cattle tag is now stronger
New tagging option for cattle farmers
Datamars already supplying cattle tags in NI
How to tag calves safely
Electronic tags – what’s it all about?
Freeze-branding - is it still worthwhile?
Genomics: What? Why? How?
Most sheep penalties caused by sheep census
Different tagging systems and prices north and south
BVD tagging guidelines north and south
According to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) all calves born on a holding must be tagged within twenty days of birth. DAFM says keepers are obliged to order their annual requirement of ear tags directly from a pre-approved tag supplier. They do this by completing a tag order card from an approved tag supplier and returning it with the appropriate fee. Tagging calves is a straight forward job but can be dangerous when a cow is present. To start off the procedure separate the cow from the calf. During tagging, a calf might become stressed. If the cow senses her calf is upset her instincts may kick in to protect her young. This can result in cows attacking a farmer inside a calving bay. When removing the cow from the calving pen take care and be alert to the dangers. Most cows will be fine but there is always one that might not react well to being separated. Make sure to close the gates properly once the cow is removed.
When applying ear tags always place the female part on the inside (part with the button) and the male part (part with piercing mechanism) on the outside of the ear. A tissue tag applicator, such as the yellow one pictured from Allflex, was used in this case to apply the tissue sample tag. Cormac Tagging are also approved to supply cattle tags (see page 49). This tag is used to take a tissue sample from the calf’s ear to test for bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD). The tags pictured here were ordered last year. That is why they have “IE” present which of course represents Ireland. It is still fine to use these tags. However all new tags being ordered from here on will have a number to represent the country of an animal’s origin. The number 372 represents Ireland. The next number is the herd identifier and that is followed by the animal’s unique identification number.
Make sure to hold the calf firmly during tagging. If the calf is properly restrained there is less chance of having a mishap. The site in the ear where the tag is applied is important. It should be located between the two cartilage ridges in the centre of the ear which can be easily seen on the inner side of the ear. It’s important not to pierce the ridge because this can damage the ear and cause discomfort to the animal. When closing the applicator use a firm and constant pressure. Once closed allow the applicator to open immediately again. The ear tag will now be firmly attached to the ear.
Use the same procedure for applying the tissue sample tag. The type of applicator used will have a bearing on how the sample will be removed from the tag. Some applicators have the tissue sampler located on the male part of the applicator. In this case, the stainless steel tube section remains inside the applicator after the plastic tag has been applied to the ear of the animal. The steel tube is then inserted into a plastic container using the tissue applicator. The tube and container are fixed together. Other applicators automatically insert the sample into a container during tagging. The contained sample is then removed from the applicator ready for sending away.
On application of a pair of tags to a calf, the keeper must then register the animal through one of three avenues – online through DAFM’s agfood.ie facility or other approved software providers, through identically numbered registration forms or through registration booklets. This then registers the birth on DAFM’s AIM database. On receipt of a completed and valid registration application, the registration agency issues the keeper with a passport (blue card) for the animal concerned. This passport must accompany the animal each time it is moved. All movements of the animal throughout its life must be recorded on the passport.
Thanks to Basil Bothwell and Sean Curren from Killeshandra in Co Cavan for demonstrating the tagging procedure.
Read more from our special focus on animal identification
Watch: Mullinahone’s cattle tag is now stronger
New tagging option for cattle farmers
Datamars already supplying cattle tags in NI
How to tag calves safely
Electronic tags – what’s it all about?
Freeze-branding - is it still worthwhile?
Genomics: What? Why? How?
Most sheep penalties caused by sheep census
Different tagging systems and prices north and south
BVD tagging guidelines north and south
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