Discussion on using Brisket Tags for animal ID on the Cow-herd?

[WestwardHO]

KH 73...... all those holes indicate that NONE of those tags were put in the correct place. The RFID tags are to be put in the 1/3rd of the ear CLOSEST to the head, and between the 2 main cartilages.

[SADIE]

Westward HD70

You are very correct. There are more holes already deeper in the ear.

Sean knows my program. I purchase all my Bred Heifers from one producer. They come each late fall and already they have two tags and possibly a third hole.

I will make a point on telling this reputation breeder who watches these posts as well to "GET WITH THE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM" or I will not purchase his quality animals.

Grassy--Your pic of your animals certainly theoretically show the insulation and warmer ears than what my cows would have in their ears.

The technical support engineer that I have know that used to consult with CCIA on Tag retention wanted clinical trials in western Canadian Conditions over the temp of inside the bovine ear and at the back of the bovine ear as well.

I am not about to change my cow-herd program though.

Grassy your second cow in the picture. I believe that that tag is a little closer to the outside of the ear than what it should be.

All of our calves getting ready for pasture are RFID tagged when the calf is in the cradle. There is good restraint and the RFID eartag is deep.

My dangle tag is done at a day of age and that is deep.

Now Westward 70 where do you want me to put the Fly tag. I believe I know the anatomy of a bovine ear better that most people. Somewhere in the ear of that calf and cow I have to move away from the deep part of the ear to give enough "virgin" ear skin space to apply another RFID tag.

Westward 70---What about the adult bovine that has the dreadfull RIPPED EARS from the deep placement of the RFID eartag. That ripped ear now has the slit out from the center between the cartiledges and makes that entire ear useless. I will post you a few of them on here is you like also.

Westward70 Do you get out and "listen to the People". I sat in the SLS auction market last week and showed the Brisket tag I am embarking on. The row of order buyers commented that they now in the last few years have never seen so many split ear cows, calves and bulls come through the ring.

Heaven forbid ---the public better not get focusing on this issue as well. What do you think??

Nope at our operation and my adult kids that help now know this is a big chore. Each adult animal now when it hits the headgate gets her annual vaccination for going to grass and a halter and a "nose tong" now goes on the head of each animal so that the old tags are cleaned out of the ear holes. The break offs etc and any new application that does go in if the holes are not enlarged too much will get a "short term tag there" of if possible a new area is found for application.

[SADIE]

<a href="http://s1138.photobucket.com/user/kphaber/media/2012-06-28115720_zps75e0ced7.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/n523/kphaber/2012-06-28115720_zps75e0ced7.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2012-06-28115720_zps75e0ced7.jpg"/></a>

Here is the arrows that are all threaded on the end to be able to screw into this tube.

With this tube you have to take the Tag like above which is very pliable and after you dip in even hot water with betadine solution you are able to roll the one side of the tag into this tube. There is another rod yet (Not displayed) with a handle on the end that when placed in the hole of the Life of the cow tag" now you have a "harpoon type instrument" that is your tool to punch through the dewlap of the cow.

It was easier than what I expected!!!!

[SADIE]

<a href="http://s1138.photobucket.com/user/kphaber/media/2012-06-28115852_zps6297a937.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/n523/kphaber/2012-06-28115852_zps6297a937.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2012-06-28115852_zps6297a937.jpg"/></a>

The honing oil for the sharpening stone. A stop at the archery store and a quick lesson on how to take any burrs off the end (if you strike a metal part of the chute) and to keep the edges razor sharp.

It is all in the "stroking" as you know everyone.

[SADIE]

westward HO

When I take my next picture of a group of cows of mine with this Brisket tag in place. I will make sure I have the select ones in the picture that have the classical ripped ear where the holes were generated from deep in the ear.

I will also make sure I include a picture standing on the catwalk in our S alley depicting the deep placement of the Allflex buttons deep in the ear, between the RIBS.

I will make sure also I will show you how the backs of the ALLFLEX buttons are coming apart in those tags, that were placed deep in the ear NEXT TO THE BRAIN. A couple were hanging on with by just a "THREAD" no round part left on the MALE part of the button.

We did not apply a second RFID eartag in that animal because according to one section of the act there is a potention fine if an animal is bearing more than one RFID eartag.

What a dog and pony show that is all about????

[DogPatch]

Lets hope that PETA or the SPCA does see that instrument of torture. Looks like it could cause more harm that good

[grassfarmer]

Come on you must be kidding Sadie? research the
insulation factor of wooly ears? I'm thinking the
plastic tags in my cows ears maybe only get down to
-30C when yours are at -32C.
Not going to make a lot of difference either way -
unlike using a decent tag and putting it in properly.

Maybe with your vet training you should review the
purpose of an ear? Can't see how having a tear in it
would make it useless? I'm sure she could still hear
perfectly well and be able to swat flies with only
slightly reduced efficiency.

[DogPatch]

Those cows with the long tears in their ears from the deeper place tags likely got themselves snagged on a twine that someone forgot to take off. Not the fault of the tag.

[SADIE]

<a href="http://s1138.photobucket.com/albums/n523/kphaber/?action=view&current=2012-06-29030729_zps6d338f84.jpg" target="_blank"></a>

Seeding is rolling right along here so tonight I was able to get a few pics of my cow-herd with LIFE OF THE COW tag applied.

Kato in regards to your questions. These tags sit flat against the Dewlap Skin and are read from the sides of the animal.

The Boc-Lock tag like in Grass farmers pic hangs down and in front of the animal.

Questions I had when I talked to producers and my veterinary colleague who has been selling them to some of his producers for over 10 years now.

1)They do not come out. If you want to re-use one when you ship the animal you have to "knife it out".

2)He will not sell any that are not Heat welded nos or charactors to the tag.

3)This tag will not fit through the hole made by the Boc-Lok tag as you requested however one could use this instrument with the one side of this LIFE OF COW Tag rolled up in the tube and try to apply that way.

4)This tag is all one piece. No Male or female component to connect.


Will we be doing another group for PFRA pasture tomorrow so I will take pics of the Extension bar built on top of our chute for stretching the head and neck forward for restraint.

Another pic will depect how the tag (so soft and pliable and thick but will roll up into the tube that is behind the arrow spear head.

Finally an Animal ID tag that will maybe keep numbers on for a long time and also staying with the animal for a better timeline. Getting off the ear is a great advantage also.

Should of pursued this avenue years ago.

[SADIE]

Dogpatch

Concerned about SPCA or PEDA seeing these insruments of torture??

Bring them on Dogpatch. The SPCA would be very easy---

I would show them the various instruments used currently in any veterinary practice.

1)Hauptner Vagins Needle--for doing prolapses.

2)Kimberley Rupp Spay instrument--A tube about 20 inches long that has a sharp pointed tip that goes into the vagina through the dorsal wall of the vagina (other hand in the rectum) and then directed to each of the ovaries to remove. Other than the first blunt jab to get through the dorsal wall of the vagina there is no pain or discomfort.

3)The branding iron--3 second application. Safe for animal and operator.

4)The procedure doing a complete eye enucleation on an adult cow. A long needle for freezing that goes into the temple behind the eye so that anesthesia gets to the skull and base of brain to freeze those optic nerves.

Kato knows this procedure as well working in a veterinary clinic. A few people faint when they watch that procedure.

5)Have you ever seen ranchers who still waddle their calves for ID. IN east central Alberta the check waddle and neck waddle which is a cut in the dewlap skin is still in practice to this day.


This one quick "jab" through the dewlap when the instrument was sharp (stays sharp) was totally painless. When it gets dull that is when the animal will react.

The ripped ears on the animals, the constant retagging of all the tags in the ear of the adult bovine will get an upset public perception as well. That is well documented and I will post again here if needed.

FALL VETERINARY CONFERENCE 2010 ACUTE PAIN PROCEEDURES IN THE BOVINE ANIMAL.

1)Applying the eartag. THE hard back RFID eartag. Measuring pain upon application in the calf on cradle and cow/bull headgate of chute.

2)Jan Western Canadian Association of Bovine Practitioners. ANIMAL WELFARE in the Bovine Practice.

Dr. Temple Grandin spoke. The role of the ears in the Equine and Bovine animal. Relating the application of the Bovine RFID eartag, and other tags.

The deeper the placement in the ear the more painful it is. Animals have memory, resist future trips down the chute. Ripped ears resulting in inflammation. The sensitivity of the ear of the bovine is very similar to that of the equine species.

Her last comment to a room of over 100 Bovine Practitioners at that meeting (including American Vets and CFIA).
"Canada you have an ANIMAL WELFARE PROBLEM developing here". "You have to get a better system of animal ID"

"Improve you tag or get the apparatus of the ear of the animal".