Ear Tagging and Tattooing Steers and Heifers To Be Exhibited In The Knoxville Spring Junior Cattle Exposition and The Tennessee Junior Livestock Exposition

All cattle to be exhibited in the Tennessee Junior Livestock Exposition (Expo) and the Knoxville Spring Junior Cattle Exposition (KSJCE) are to be permanently identified and entered using their official identification.           

Registered heifers must follow the identification guidelines set forth by their respective breed associations.  Official entries for Expo and KSJCE should be made using the official breed association identification.           

Market Steers and Commercial Heifers are to be ear tagged with the official ear tags issued by the Animal Science Department.  Steers and commercial heifers are to be tattooed in at least one ear with the same number that appears on the official ear tag unless they already have a tattoo in their ear.  If they have a tattoo and it is legible, it may be used as the official tattoo and should be entered on the official entry form in addition to the official ear tag number.  However, it is recommended that tattoos be place in both ears to ensure that they are legible at the time of the show.           

Below is a description on how to apply the ear tags and tattoo and an illustrated description of how to apply a tattoo and the correct placement of an ear tag. 

Applying the Ear Tag           

Tags to be used are supposed to be "tamper proof" and if properly applied should be capable of staying in the steer or heifer's ear.           

The tags can be applied with an ALLFLEX applicator.  However, the pin may need to be changed because some of the tags may have a male end that is "self-piercing" and some may require the pin to pierce the ear.  Make sure you make this determination before attempting to apply the ear tag.           

Place the ear tag in the right ear of the steer or heifer.  A suggestion would be to complete the tattooing before ear tagging.  Place the ear tag between the ribs below the tattoo.  The tattoo could be placed either above or below the upper rib (Figure 1).  Always dip the ear tag in a disinfectant before applying to the ear.  This will help reduce the risk of infection in the ear and should speed up the healing process. 

Applying the Tattoo (at the end of the list is an illustrated 10 step procedure for applying tattoos)

1.      Make sure all necessary equipment is on hand before starting (Step 1).

2.      Thoroughly sterilize the "pins" with an appropriate disinfectant before tattooing.  It would be good if you could have two sets of pins and alternate use between steers (Step 2).

3.      Before tattooing, check the ear tag number to be sure that the tattoo and ear tag numbers match (Step 3).

4.      Before piercing the ear, try the tattoo on a piece of cardboard or similar material to be sure that the digits or letters are arranged in the appropriate order (Step 4).  (This is an excellent practice to be sure that the numbers have been changed to the appropriate one).

5.      Next, restrain the animal to prevent violent movements of the head.  A squeeze chute with a headgate is recommended.

6.      Select a spot on the ear as near the center as possible.  A spot should be selected that is relatively free from hair growth.  The center portion of the ear is the area most often free from hair and is often lighter in color.  Best results are often obtained when the tattoo is placed between the middle and upper rib or between the upper rib and the top of the ear.  Be careful to avoid ribs because tattooing there will produce poor results.

7.      Clean the inside of the ear until it is entirely free of grease, wax, and/or dirt.  Use a cloth, sponge, or paper towel dampened with alcohol, or "Pine-Sol" solution.  These liquids do a fast, clean job and will not evaporate (Step 5 and 6).

8.      Smear a light coat of paste/ink with the thumb or toothbrush on the clean spot before making the perforations (Step 7).

9.      Insert the ear between the jaws of the tattoo pliers with the fingers on the side of the ear.  After being sure the pins are placed over the prepared spot, close the jaws quickly and firmly, making sure the pins penetrate the ear.  Release quickly to avoid tearing.  Do not penetrate the entire ear as this will result in increased bleeding (Step 8).

10.  After the ear has been pierced, place a small amount of green paste/ink on the thumb or toothbrush and thoroughly rub it into the perforations.  While holding the heel of your other hand behind the ear, rub each puncture until well filled with the paste (Step 9).  With an excessive flow of blood, it will be necessary to use more ink and rub longer until the bleeding stops.

11.  Do not bend the ear during the application of the pins or while applying the paste.  Bending the ear closes the perforations.

12.  Repeat the procedure in the opposite ear.

13.  After tattooing is completed, apply the ear tag in the right ear.

14.  In a couple of weeks inspect the tattoo to make sure that it is legible (Step 10).

15.  Remember, if a tattoo is already present in either of the ears, record these tattoos on the entry form.  If the tattoo is not legible it would be advantageous to apply a tattoo that corresponds to the ear tag number.  Remember that it is the responsibility of the exhibitor to be sure that the steer or heifer meets the qualifications to be exhibited.

16.  Suggestion:  Prior to using new tattoo pins, slightly blunt the ends of the pins with light strokes of a hammer on a hard surface.  This will aid in making slightly larger holes in the ear, which will result in the ink or paste more easily penetrating the ear.  The result should be an improved tattoo that could be more easily read.  It should also aid in reducing bleeding.

17.  Clean and disinfect tattoo digits between each animal.  Hair and dirt will accumulate and the digits should be cleaned.  Another toothbrush will work well. 

Suggested Equipment

1.      Livestock scales

2.      Squeeze chute with headgate

3.      Tattooing set.  If you do not have a set, check with a local purebred breeder, veterinarian, and/or local feed or livestock supply store.

4.      Tattooing ink or paste (green would be preferred)

5.      Alcohol and/or appropriate disinfectant

6.      Alcohol or Pine-Sol to be used to clean the ear.

7.      Nose lead and/or rope halter to aid in restricting movement of the steer's head.

8.      House hold gloves or thin latex gloves to reduce the amount of tattoo ink you get on your hands

9.      Toothbrush for applying and rubbing in the tattoo ink/paste.

10.  ALLFLEX ear tag applicator that can be modified by changing the pin to apply the tags.

11.  Ear tags.

12.  Notebook for recording ear tag numbers and tattoos. 

References:

1.      American Angus Association.  Tattooing-how to make it work.  St. Joseph MO. 64501.

2.      ALLFLEX:  2000, "Instructions for using your ALLFLEX Total Tagger Applicator for use with the new ALLFLEX Tamperproof Eartag System."

3.      Smalling, John D., "Cattle Identification:  Ear Tagging, Ear Tattooing."  Rev.  1986.  University of Tennessee Animal Science Department.

4.      Smalling, John D.,  "Farm Animal Health and Management Practices Identification System:  Tattooing."  University of Tennessee Animal Science Department. 

Illustrated Description of Applying a Tattoo and Correct Placement of Ear Tag     

Figure 1.  Ear Tag Placement       
  Ten Step Procedure For Applying a Tattoo(Photographs provided by The American Angus Association)     

Step 1.  Check all of the equipment.  Make sure you have all necessary equipment before beginning.  Equipment:  Tattoo Outfit, Disinfectant, Toothbrush, Sponge or rag, Notebook for keeping records        

Step 2.  Disinfect all digits.  Using dirty equipment will increase the spread of viruses and diseases.    

Step 3.  Check your records to make sure you apply the correct tattoo and ear tag.  Make sure the tattoo number and ear tag number match.          

Step 4.  Check each tattoo to be sure the digits are place in the correct order.  Use a piece of cardboard or thick paper and apply a test tattoo to the cardboard to see what the tattoo will look like in the animal's ear.   

Step 5.  Dampen a sponge or rag with alcohol or "Pine-Sol" solution to remove the wax, dirt and grease from the ear.  Applying a tattoo to a dirty ear will result in less than optimum results.    
     

Step 6.  Clean the ear with the sponge or rag to remove the wax, dirt and grease.  Clean the upper lobe which is where the tattoo will be applied.  Do not be afraid to clean a larger area than you will need.  The cleaner the better.   

Step 7.  Rub a small amount of the green paste in the upper lobe of the ear where the tattoo will be applied.  This step may help carry some of the paste into the punctures.           

Step 8.  Tattoo the ear in the upper lobe where the paste was smeared.  Hold the tattoo pliers parallel to the ribs of the ear.  Be sure not to penetrate the entire ear because this will increase bleeding.   

Step 9.  Rub the paste into the punctures using the toothbrush.  This should be continued until all breeding has stopped.  Remember, tattoo paste is inexpensive and should be applied liberally.  It is always easier to spend a little more time at this stage than to get the animals back into the chute and do this all over again with questionable results next time.         

Step 10.  Check all tattoo a couple of weeks after applying them to make sure they a legible.  You may have to take a rag and wipe the ear to remove dirt and excess dried tattoo ink when reading the tattoo for the first time.   

Note:  When applying a tattoo, always take your time and be extra careful because mistakes cannot be corrected once the tattoo has been applied.  Always use safe and sanitary practices to decrease the incidence of injury to animal as well as the people working with the animals.