Was curious how some of the members tag their newborn calves, and then what tag the calf gets if it is retained as a replacement female. Might be different for registered breeders vs. commercial breeders.
I am a registered cattle breeder. I use the cow's tag number as the baby calf's tag number. If the calf is a heifer and one I want to put back in the herd, she will get her own individual tag number in one year, and get a tag matching her tatoo in the other ear. For example, if a heifer is out of cow number 57, her tatoo would be 8(corresponding to the current year)57U(international year letter code). I like to be able to look at a cow, and know exactly who her dam and sire is. However, I also don't like having a large tag in both ears.
I know some guys who number their baby calves from 1-whatever, and then that is also their tatoo. Just curious if their might be an easier method.
I am a registered cattle breeder. I use the cow's tag number as the baby calf's tag number. If the calf is a heifer and one I want to put back in the herd, she will get her own individual tag number in one year, and get a tag matching her tatoo in the other ear. For example, if a heifer is out of cow number 57, her tatoo would be 8(corresponding to the current year)57U(international year letter code). I like to be able to look at a cow, and know exactly who her dam and sire is. However, I also don't like having a large tag in both ears.
I know some guys who number their baby calves from 1-whatever, and then that is also their tatoo. Just curious if their might be an easier method.