ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION Why is animal identification important Basis

ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION

Why is animal identification important? Basis of all records in the operation. Identification allows a producer to track individual animals productivity and health. Used to control disease. Theft prevention

How can animals be identified? Earnotching: Notches made into the ear which represents a number. Permanent. Easily recognized. Swine/Cattle

Ear Tagging Metal or plastic tags with numbers. Can be easily lost. Inexpensive.

Tattoos Piercing skin with device with a lot of pins that create numbers/letters and then rubbing area with ink. Cattle/Sheep/Swine/Horses. Requires skill

Paint applied directly to the back of the animal for temporary identification.

Branding Hot branding Use of a hot iron to burn a permanent scar into the skin. Freeze branding Uses an extremely cold iron to kill the color pigment producing cell

Microchip Implanted microchip stores identifying data about the animal

How do you read a brand? · Read a brand from left to right ML (M L). · Read a brand from top to bottom, M (Bar M). Read a brand from outside to inside when the brand has a character that encloses another S (Circle S).

Reading a brand Brands are composed of capital letters of the alphabet, numerals, pictures, and characters such as slash /, circle O, half-circle , cross +, bar -, etc. , with many combinations and adaptations. Letters can be used singly, joined, or in combinations.

Reading a Brand XIT (XIT) ; They can be upright, Lying down or "lazy, " Connected ( V B connected) Combined (V B combined) Reversed (reverse B) Hanging (V hanging S)

Read Ear Notches

Reading Ear Notches

National Animal Identification System The National Animal Identification System (NAIS) is a modern, streamlined information system that helps producers and animal health officials respond quickly and effectively to animal disease events in the United States. NAIS is designed to: Increase the United States' disease response capabilities Limit the spread of animal diseases Minimize animal losses and economic impact Protect producers' livelihoods Maintain market access

Why is NAIS important to animal health? Which animals are involved in a disease outbreak Where the infected animals are currently located What other animals might have been exposed to the disease X

Is NAIS mandatory? USDA is not requiring participation in the program. NAIS can help producers protect the health and marketability of their animals —but the choice to participate is theirs.

What are the steps for participation in NAIS? Register your premises and obtain a premise ID number Identify your animals Track your animals in a database