COURSE
Ear Tagging a Calf
Learning the skill before applying the skill
Description
What is this course about?
This course is designed for you to learn and build your confidence in the ear tagging process. Ear tagging a calf can be an intimadating and complicated skill, so learning the components of ear tagging at your own pace imporatant to your success on-farm. By the end of this course, you'll have gained insight into how to properly ear tag a calf and confidence in each step in the process, including tool identification and calf care.
How to ear tag a calf // video
DESCRIPTION // OBJECTIVES
Course Objectives
Develop practical skills
Understand basic concepts
Encourage critical thinking
Applying techniques
Tools and Necessary equipment
Key Tools and Equipment
Click on each tool or equipment for more information on it's purpose
Ear Tag Applicator
Iodine Solution
Ear Tag
Ear tag placement
Brief process overview
The Ear Tagging Steps
Based on the calf's breed and sex you must select the appropriate ear tag for the calf. Holstein female calves stay on farm, so they get the next available yellow tag. Crossbred and male calves get the next available blue tag.
On dairy farms the ear tag that you use is dependent on the calf's breed (Holstein vs. Crossbred) and sex (Female vs. Male). Confirming the breed and sex of the calf is very important
Once you have selected the appropriate ear tag based on calf breed and sex, record the ear tag number in the farm records to ensure proper record keeping
2. Select the correct ear tag
1. Identidy the calf breed and sex
3. Record keeping
Gather the ear tag applicator and the iodine solution. Apply the ear tag to the applicator and ensure that the male and female parts align. Spray the male part with iodine solution.
With a permenent marker, write the calf's birthdate on the front of the ear tag.
You are now ready to ear tag the calf. Apply ear tag between the auricular veins and just under half way between the ear base and ear tip.
5. Gather additional supplies & set it up
4. Write the birthdate
6. Ear tag
The ear tagging process
The ear tagging process
Identifying calf breed and sex
Identifying calf breed and sex
Why is it essential to correctly identify the calf's breed and sex? Roughly 94% of all cattle in the United States are Holstein. In modern dairy systems, producers have begun to use semen from Angus bulls when breeding so that the offspring can be sold into the beef market. Additionally, while sex-sorted semen is used more reguarly, there is still a chance that bull calves are born. Since the farm can not use beef calves or bull calves for milk production, they will be sold after birth. Therefore, correctly identifying the calf's breed and sex is essential to how the farm decided to keep or sell the calf, impacting the farm's economics.
BReed and sex identification
Clik on the image to reveal the answer and explanation. Try to identify the sex and breed before revealing the answer
Idetifying proper ear tags
Choosing the ear tag
Ear tags used for calves is dependent on their breed and sex. Since cross-bred calves and male calves are sold after birth they are ear tagged with a different color and number sequenced ear tag than calves that will remain on the farm and be raised to enter the dairy system. Female, Holstein calves will be ear tagged with a yellow or white ear tag and will have both ears tagged with an identical tag. Cross-bred and male calves will be ear tagged with a blue tag and will only receive one tag, preferably in the right ear.
IDentify the correct ear tag
Click on the photo to reveal which calf each tag would be used on. PRactice identifying each before revealing.
Record keeping
+ info
+ info
+ info
+ info
Which tools do you need?
PRactice ear tagging
Practice ear tagging
Identify where to pierce
Image the ear is split in half vertically. Pierce between the veins just under the halfway point, closer to the base of the head
TRY TO IDENTIFY WHERE TOU WOULD PIERCE THIS CALF'S EAR. CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO REVEAL THE CORRECT ANSWER.
EVALUATION
Test your knowledge and reflect on your learning
EVALUATION
EVALUATION
EVALUATION
SUMMARY
Ear tagging calves is essential for managing and tracking the animal throughout its life
Throughout this module, we explored the importance of ear tagging a newborn calf. You learned the key tools and anatomy involved in the ear tag process, how to correctly identify the calf's breed and sex, how to select the correct ear tag, and the steps of proper record keeping. You also learned where and how to ear tag the calf. Using the information you gained in this module, you now have the ability to ear tag a newborn calf on the farm. This skill is invaluable as an animal scientist, but is also an important step in how we manage our calves on farm.
Do you have questions?
We are here to help you. If anything was unclear or you want to explore a topic further, feel free to contact us. Your curiosity is also part of the learning process.
Thank you for taking the course!
Ear Tag Applicator
An ear tag applicator is a special applicator used for attaching ear tags to different kinds of livestock animals for the purpose of animal identification
Write the calf's birthdate on the ear tag Write the birthdate of the calf in permenent marker on the top of the ear tag above the ear tag number. This should be written as mm/dd/yyyy and should be written clear and concise
Record the dam's information The first step in record keeping is to record the dam's information including: identification number and parity
Record the calf's information The second step is to record the calf's information including: breed and sex
Ear Tag
An ear tag is a plastic identifier attached to the calf's ear shortly after birth to aid in individual identification, traceability, and managment. The unique tag number/identifier allows producers to monitor and record important data throughout the animal's life.
Iodine Solution
Iodine solution is a topical antispetic that typically ranges from 2-7% iodine and is used to clean skin, prevent infections in minor cuts, and prepare the skin before sugery.
Record the ear tag number Once you have recorded the dam and calf's information, it is time to write down the ear tag number that you have selected for the calf. The ear tag number should be in numerical order following the last calf born
Understand basic concepts
This course will give you an understanding of the basic concepts included in ear tagging a calf including:
- Tools and necessary equipment
- Calf ear anatomy
Through this objective you will be able to build confidence in your ability to identify what is needed to ear tag a calf and where proper placement of the ear tag is.
This is a MALE calf!
You can tell that this is a male calf because when the tail is lifted to view the perneal area you can only see the anus. If this were a female calf you would also see the vulva. If there is no vulva, you can confirm that the calf is male by palpating the scrotum between the hind legs and visualizing and palpating the prepuce ventral to the abdomen.
This is a FEMALE calf!
You can tell that this is a female calf because when the tail is lifted to veiw the perineal area you can see the anus and the vulva. The vulva is ventral to the anus.
This is a HOLSTEIN calf!
Holstein calves have the traditional black and white patterning. Holstein calves can be primarily black or primarily white, but will always typically have both colors. The definitive way to tell is by checking the hooves. Holstein calves will always have white hooves.
This is a CROSS BRED calf!
You can tell that this is a Holstein-Angus cross bred calf because it is primarily black. Cross bred calves also tend to be stockier, meaning they are typically shorter and heavier muscled. The definitive way to identify a cross-bred calf is by the hooves. A cross-bred calf will always have black hooves.
This is a yellow tag so it belongs to female Holstein calves
This is a blue tag so it belongs to beef cross calves of either sex or male Holstein calves
Ear Tagging a Calf
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Transcript
COURSE
Ear Tagging a Calf
Learning the skill before applying the skill
Description
What is this course about?
This course is designed for you to learn and build your confidence in the ear tagging process. Ear tagging a calf can be an intimadating and complicated skill, so learning the components of ear tagging at your own pace imporatant to your success on-farm. By the end of this course, you'll have gained insight into how to properly ear tag a calf and confidence in each step in the process, including tool identification and calf care.
How to ear tag a calf // video
DESCRIPTION // OBJECTIVES
Course Objectives
Develop practical skills
Understand basic concepts
Encourage critical thinking
Applying techniques
Tools and Necessary equipment
Key Tools and Equipment
Click on each tool or equipment for more information on it's purpose
Ear Tag Applicator
Iodine Solution
Ear Tag
Ear tag placement
Brief process overview
The Ear Tagging Steps
Based on the calf's breed and sex you must select the appropriate ear tag for the calf. Holstein female calves stay on farm, so they get the next available yellow tag. Crossbred and male calves get the next available blue tag.
On dairy farms the ear tag that you use is dependent on the calf's breed (Holstein vs. Crossbred) and sex (Female vs. Male). Confirming the breed and sex of the calf is very important
Once you have selected the appropriate ear tag based on calf breed and sex, record the ear tag number in the farm records to ensure proper record keeping
2. Select the correct ear tag
1. Identidy the calf breed and sex
3. Record keeping
Gather the ear tag applicator and the iodine solution. Apply the ear tag to the applicator and ensure that the male and female parts align. Spray the male part with iodine solution.
With a permenent marker, write the calf's birthdate on the front of the ear tag.
You are now ready to ear tag the calf. Apply ear tag between the auricular veins and just under half way between the ear base and ear tip.
5. Gather additional supplies & set it up
4. Write the birthdate
6. Ear tag
The ear tagging process
The ear tagging process
Identifying calf breed and sex
Identifying calf breed and sex
Why is it essential to correctly identify the calf's breed and sex? Roughly 94% of all cattle in the United States are Holstein. In modern dairy systems, producers have begun to use semen from Angus bulls when breeding so that the offspring can be sold into the beef market. Additionally, while sex-sorted semen is used more reguarly, there is still a chance that bull calves are born. Since the farm can not use beef calves or bull calves for milk production, they will be sold after birth. Therefore, correctly identifying the calf's breed and sex is essential to how the farm decided to keep or sell the calf, impacting the farm's economics.
BReed and sex identification
Clik on the image to reveal the answer and explanation. Try to identify the sex and breed before revealing the answer
Idetifying proper ear tags
Choosing the ear tag
Ear tags used for calves is dependent on their breed and sex. Since cross-bred calves and male calves are sold after birth they are ear tagged with a different color and number sequenced ear tag than calves that will remain on the farm and be raised to enter the dairy system. Female, Holstein calves will be ear tagged with a yellow or white ear tag and will have both ears tagged with an identical tag. Cross-bred and male calves will be ear tagged with a blue tag and will only receive one tag, preferably in the right ear.
IDentify the correct ear tag
Click on the photo to reveal which calf each tag would be used on. PRactice identifying each before revealing.
Record keeping
+ info
+ info
+ info
+ info
Which tools do you need?
PRactice ear tagging
Practice ear tagging
Identify where to pierce
Image the ear is split in half vertically. Pierce between the veins just under the halfway point, closer to the base of the head
TRY TO IDENTIFY WHERE TOU WOULD PIERCE THIS CALF'S EAR. CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO REVEAL THE CORRECT ANSWER.
EVALUATION
Test your knowledge and reflect on your learning
EVALUATION
EVALUATION
EVALUATION
SUMMARY
Ear tagging calves is essential for managing and tracking the animal throughout its life
Throughout this module, we explored the importance of ear tagging a newborn calf. You learned the key tools and anatomy involved in the ear tag process, how to correctly identify the calf's breed and sex, how to select the correct ear tag, and the steps of proper record keeping. You also learned where and how to ear tag the calf. Using the information you gained in this module, you now have the ability to ear tag a newborn calf on the farm. This skill is invaluable as an animal scientist, but is also an important step in how we manage our calves on farm.
Do you have questions?
We are here to help you. If anything was unclear or you want to explore a topic further, feel free to contact us. Your curiosity is also part of the learning process.
Thank you for taking the course!
Ear Tag Applicator
An ear tag applicator is a special applicator used for attaching ear tags to different kinds of livestock animals for the purpose of animal identification
Write the calf's birthdate on the ear tag Write the birthdate of the calf in permenent marker on the top of the ear tag above the ear tag number. This should be written as mm/dd/yyyy and should be written clear and concise
Record the dam's information The first step in record keeping is to record the dam's information including: identification number and parity
Record the calf's information The second step is to record the calf's information including: breed and sex
Ear Tag
An ear tag is a plastic identifier attached to the calf's ear shortly after birth to aid in individual identification, traceability, and managment. The unique tag number/identifier allows producers to monitor and record important data throughout the animal's life.
Iodine Solution
Iodine solution is a topical antispetic that typically ranges from 2-7% iodine and is used to clean skin, prevent infections in minor cuts, and prepare the skin before sugery.
Record the ear tag number Once you have recorded the dam and calf's information, it is time to write down the ear tag number that you have selected for the calf. The ear tag number should be in numerical order following the last calf born
Understand basic concepts
This course will give you an understanding of the basic concepts included in ear tagging a calf including:
- Tools and necessary equipment
- Calf ear anatomy
Through this objective you will be able to build confidence in your ability to identify what is needed to ear tag a calf and where proper placement of the ear tag is.This is a MALE calf!
You can tell that this is a male calf because when the tail is lifted to view the perneal area you can only see the anus. If this were a female calf you would also see the vulva. If there is no vulva, you can confirm that the calf is male by palpating the scrotum between the hind legs and visualizing and palpating the prepuce ventral to the abdomen.
This is a FEMALE calf!
You can tell that this is a female calf because when the tail is lifted to veiw the perineal area you can see the anus and the vulva. The vulva is ventral to the anus.
This is a HOLSTEIN calf!
Holstein calves have the traditional black and white patterning. Holstein calves can be primarily black or primarily white, but will always typically have both colors. The definitive way to tell is by checking the hooves. Holstein calves will always have white hooves.
This is a CROSS BRED calf!
You can tell that this is a Holstein-Angus cross bred calf because it is primarily black. Cross bred calves also tend to be stockier, meaning they are typically shorter and heavier muscled. The definitive way to identify a cross-bred calf is by the hooves. A cross-bred calf will always have black hooves.
This is a yellow tag so it belongs to female Holstein calves
This is a blue tag so it belongs to beef cross calves of either sex or male Holstein calves