B10 Animal Husbandry Practice

Lesson Outline  Vaccination Practices  Dead Vaccines  Injections Given to Livestock  Proper Sanitation Procedures for Live Vaccines  Techniques for Castrating Livestock  Techniques for Dehorning Cattle  Methods and Techniques of Cattle Identification

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 3 Vaccinating Animals  Preventing disease is far less expensive than using a veterinarian to treat animals with emergency problems.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 4 Vaccination Schedule: Calves  At birth to one week of age:  Scours prevention products - This consists of 3 different avenues of protection:  Oral vaccination of new calves with a modified live rota and coronavirus product. This must be the first product administered, and colostrum delivery must be delayed by 30 minutes to ensure that the modified live viruses have time to replicate.  Oral antibody supplementation.  Oral colostrum - Remember that the dam will produce protective antibodies in her colostrum. Colostral enhancement can be accomplished through vaccination of the dam with products that stimulate antibody protection against E. coli, clostridial organisms, rota and corona viruses.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 5 At Birth to One Week of Age  Respiratory protection using intranasal infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) and parainfluenza (PI-3) vaccination products.  Avoid all other vaccinations in calves less than one week old. They are still recovering from the stress at birth and have high levels of natural steroids that will compromise response to vaccinations. Calves at this age do have an intact immune system but they are weak in some components that may cause them to fail to produce the right response. Immunization of animals less than one week of age should be limited to oral (antibody, colostrum, rota/corona) and intranasal (IBR/PI-3) products and vaccines.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 6 Vaccination Schedule: Calves  Between 3 and 5 weeks of age: Avoid vaccination during this period in the calf’s life. During this period, the calf is experiencing a decline in certain immune system cells it received from its mother in the colostrum. Its immune system is also undergoing a time where it is starting to produce these protective cells on its own. Vaccination during this time may produce a poor or adverse response. Adverse responses to vaccines given at this time may persist and predispose the animal to future adverse responses to vaccinations.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 7 Vaccination Schedule: Calves  At castration and branding time (older than 5 weeks):  Give a shot of Bovi-shield Gold 5 which contains:  Bovine viral diarrhea (BVD - type I and II),  Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR),  Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV),  Parainfluenza (PI-3) killed or modified live vaccine.  Reading product labels can help ensure that the product can be used on calves nursing pregnant mothers. Research from Cornell University indicates that using a killed BVD product as the first and possibly the second dose may enhance the immunity to BVD.  7 or 8-way vaccine for clostridial organisms.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 8 Vaccination Schedule: Calves  For optimal protection, the BVD, IBR, BRSV, PI-3 and the 7 or 8- way vaccine for clostridial organisms should be boostered in 3-4 weeks.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 9 Vaccination Schedule: Calves  At 2-4 weeks pre-weaning:  BVD (type I and II), IBR, BRSV, PI-3 modified live vaccine. (All found in the Bovi-shield Gold 5 vaccination)  7 or 8-way clostridial vaccine  Pasteurella vaccine  Leptospirosis vaccine (recommended)  Bang’s vaccine for heifers (consult a local veterinarian) - Consider administering Bang’s vaccine on a separate day to spread out gram-negative antigen exposure. It is best to never administer more than two gram-negative vaccines at one time.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 10 Vaccination Schedule: Calves  At weaning:  A BVD (type I and II), IBR, BRSV, PI-3 modified live vaccine.  A 7 or 8-way clostridial booster.  Pasteurella and Lepto boosters if given 3-4 weeks previously.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 11 Vaccination Schedule: Replacement Heifers & Adult Cows  All replacement heifers and adult cows should receive the following at 4-8 weeks pre-breeding:  A BVD (type I and II), IBR, BRSV, PI-3 modified live vaccine  Vibriosis vaccine  Leptospirosis vaccine  Trichomonas fetus vaccine (optional)  Pinkeye vaccine (optional)

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 12 Vaccination Schedule: Replacement Heifers & Adult Cows  Three to four weeks prior to calving:  Injectable scours product.  7 or 8-way clostridial booster or a C & D clostridial product, depending on the area.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 13 Vaccination Schedule: Bulls  Breeding bulls should receive the following on an annual basis:  BVD (type I and II), IBR, BRSV, PI-3 modified live vaccine  7 or 8-way clostridial booster  Vibriosis vaccine  Leptospirosis vaccine  Trichomonas fetus vaccine (optional)  Pinkeye vaccine (optional)  Bull populations should be subject to the same type of vaccination programs as the replacement heifers  If not previously exposed to a Lepto-hardjo bovis vaccine, a dose should be administered, followed by a booster dose 4-6 weeks later before introducing bulls with the female population

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 14 Proper Vaccination Practices  Develop a vaccination schedule with the help of a veterinarian.  Refrigerate vaccines prior to use and use entire contents after opening.  Follow all label directions exactly.  Give only the recommended dose by the recommended method.  Use sterile syringes that have not been used for other purposes.  Throw away all outdated and opened bottles.  Do not mix vaccines unless required by the manufacturer.  Do not vaccinate sick animals.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 15 Vaccination Tools Disposable Syringes

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 16 Vaccination Tools Pistol-Grip Syringe

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 17 Modified Live Vaccines  Advantages:  One dose required  Faster, stronger and more durable response  Fewer post vaccination reactions  Disadvantages:  Not recommended for pregnant animals  Possible viral shedding to other animals  Improper handling may inactivate the vaccine

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 18 Killed Vaccines  Advantages  Recommended for pregnant animals  Stable in storage  Disadvantages  Multiple doses required  Weaker immune response  Shorter duration immune response  May cause reactions

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 19 Injection Methods and Sanitation Procedures  Always use sterile instruments.  Boiling is the most satisfactory method of sterilization. Boil for 5 to 10 minutes.  Chemical sterilization of syringes with alcohol or detergents is unsatisfactory if a live vaccine is to be injected. It can kill the live agents.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 20 Syringe Filling  To facilitate drawing liquid and preventing a vacuum in the bottle, with the syringe, insert into the bottle the amount of air equal to the quantity of fluid to be drawn.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 21 There Are Eight Main Types of Injections:  Subcutaneous: SQ  Intramuscular: IM  Intravenous: IV  Intraperitoneal: IP  Intradermal: ID  Intrarumen: IR  Intranasal: IN  Oral vaccines: PO

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 22 SQ: Subcutaneous Injections  A subcutaneous injection is given under the skin.  Use a 16 or 18 gauge needle, ½ an inch long. This short of a needle will break off less often, will go just under the skin, and has little chance of going into the muscle if inserted at a slant.  Insert the needle under the skin on the neck, behind the shoulder or elbow.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 23 SQ: Subcutaneous Injections

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 24 IM: Intramuscular Injections  IM injections are given in the muscle.  It should be given in the neck to prevent gristle in the best cuts of meat.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 25 IM: Intramuscular Injections

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 26 Intramuscular Injections  Use a 16 or 18 gauge needle 11/2 or 2 inches long.  Remove the needle from the syringe, and hold it with the fingers. The needle is inserted before the syringe is attached. Insert the needle straight in rather than at an angle.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 27 Intramuscular Injections  With the needle attached, draw back on the plunger to make sure that you are not in the blood stream.  Squeeze the plunger as smoothly as possible.  If the injection goes into the fat instead of the muscle, the injection was wasted.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 28 IV: Intravenous  Intravenous injections are given only when the animal’s life is at stake and the medicine must be administered immediately.  If the animal is in a squeeze chute, pull its head to one side with a halter and tie the rope securely to part of the chute or other stationery object.  If the animal is laying down, pull the head around and put the rope around the hind leg just above the hock, pull tight and tie.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 29 Intravenous  Clean the jugular region of the neck with alcohol. This will sanitize the area and make the vein easier to see.  Press on the vein with your fingers. It will fill and bulge out.  Once the vein is fully filled, the needle should be placed in a downward direction and inserted into the vein.  If you are having trouble filling the artery by hand, place a ¼ inch or less rope with a slip knot around the animal’s neck down near the shoulder. Draw the rope tight and the vein will instantly fill with blood.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 30 Intravenous  Care must be taken to avoid the carotid artery, which is located just behind the jugular vein. No injection should ever be given in the carotid artery.  When the lower hand is removed, no blood should come out of the needle. If blood continues to squirt out of the top of the needle, it could be in the carotid artery.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 31 Intravenous

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 32 Intravenous

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 33 Intravenous  If the medicine is being administered by syringe, the injection should be made slowly over the span of at least a minute.  If the injection is gravity flow, administer it slowly. Watch for glazed eyes, rapid breathing and shakiness.  Do not give more than 250 CC in a 15 minute period.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 34 IP: Intraperitoneal  This is an injection into the abdominal cavity.  This is mainly used for the administration of large quantities of fluids or antibiotics.  The solution is warmed to body temperature.  Insert a two inch long 14 gauge needle in the right flank at a point in the center of the triangle formed by the loin, last rib and a line from the hip bone.  This type of injection will produce less shock than an intravenous injection and will give complete medication in less than an hour.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 35 ID: Intradermal  This is a injection into the skin layers.  This method is used when a small amount of medicine is needed to be absorbed at a slow rate.  Use a 24 gauge needle about 1inch long.  Insert the needle into the skin so that the imprint of the needle can be seen.  The injection will leave a small bump in the skin.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 36 IR: Intrarumen  Used to administer emergency medication to relieve bloat.  Insert a 14 gauge needle 3 inches long into the left flank.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 37 IN: Intranasal  Intranasal vaccines are packaged with special applicators that fit on the end of a syringe.  Restrain the cow or calf and squirt the contents quickly into the nasal passages.  The animal may sneeze or cough, but this does not reduce the effectiveness of the vaccination.  Never inject any intranasal product in the muscle or skin.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 38 Oral Vaccines (PO)  Oral vaccines are used to vaccinate newborn calves. First, elevate the animal’s head slightly, placing the syringe containing the vaccine at the side and back of the calf’s mouth. Next, discharge the contents of the syringe. Finally, hold the animal until all of the vaccine has been swallowed.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 39 Udder Infusions  Udder infusions are given to correct problems like mastitis.  Disinfect the end of the teat with a cotton ball and alcohol. Squeeze the teat to find the hole.  Insert a two inch cannula (plastic flexible needle) and inject the medication. Hold the end of the teat to prevent the medicine from coming out. Then work the medicine up in the udder.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 40 Growth Implants  Growth promoting implants are slow release pellets placed under the skin of the ear.  These implants contain hormones that supplement the animal’s natural hormone production to increase growth rates and feed efficiency.  They have been used throughout the United States for more than 25 years in commercial beef cattle. It is estimated that over 90% of all fed cattle are now implanted at least once in their lifetime.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 41 Growth Implants  Growth is largely controlled by the pituitary gland and its secretions of growth (somatotrophic) hormone.  Implants act on the pituitary to produce increased levels of growth hormone.  The effect of these elevated hormone levels is an increase in the synthesis of muscle tissue and a reduction in the deposition of body fat.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 42 Growth Implants  Using a $1 implant to yield a gain of 20 lbs. more than non- implanted cattle nets a 20:1 return on investment when calves are worth $1 per pound.  Follow the label directions carefully regarding age and weight restrictions and reimplanting.  Be especially careful when implanting potential replacement heifers. Using the wrong product and/or implanting at the wrong age or wrong weight can all impair fertility. Reimplanting replacement heifers is not recommended.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 43 Growth Implants  None of these implants are registered for use in bull calves and use of these drugs will reduce fertility.  Procedure for implanting growth hormones:  Clean and disinfect the back side of the ear with alcohol.  Deposit the implant between the skin and the cartilage of the ear, just below the horizontal midline. The implant must not be placed too close to the head. Most implants should be placed in the middle third of the ear.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 44 Growth Implants

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 45 Growth Implants  The insertion site of the needle will be towards the outer tip of the ear, one needle length from the desired "middle-third" position.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 46 Growth Implants

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 47 Growth Implants

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 48 Growth Implants  Avoid placing the implant in the site of an old implant or in an area that will be used for an ear tag.  Do not crush implants.  Avoid injuring the major blood vessels of the ear.  Disinfect the implant needle between applications.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 49 Castration  Why castrate animals?  Prevents problems with male animals fighting for dominance.  Helps provide a higher quality meat when the animal is slaughtered.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 50 Elastrator Castration  Because of the lack of blood loss, this method of castration is preferred. However, it should never be done on animals older than 3 months.  If it is difficult to get the elastrator band over the testicles, the animal is too big and a surgical castration approach is needed.  The first step is to load an elastrator band or "cheerio" onto the elastrator.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 51 Elastrator Castration

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 52 Elastrator Castration  With one hand, find both testicles and force them to the bottom of the scrotum.  If both testicles cannot be found, relax the hind legs of the calf and try again.  Some animals may actually have a retained testicle (cryptorchid) that requires professional surgical removal.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 53 Elastrator Castration

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 54 Elastrator Castration  Using the elastrator instrument, place the elastrator band over both testicles and as close to the body as possible.  Make sure the prong ends and the elastrator band are next to the body. If they are not, the elastrator cannot be removed once the band is collapsed.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 55 Elastrator Castration

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 56 Elastrator Castration  Careful attention should be given to ensure that both testicles are completely on the outside of the elastrator instrument and not between the elastrator and the body.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 57 Elastrator Castration

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 58 Elastrator Castration  Once released, the elastrator band should be around the spermatic cord only. If any testicular tissue is trapped, complications may arise and the castration may not be successful.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 59 Elastrator Castration

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 60 Surgical Castration  A clean sterilized knife should be used to cut the lower third of the scrotum or sac.  After each use, the knife should be soaked in an alcohol solution. To help prevent infection, latex gloves can be worn and changed often.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 61 Surgical Castration

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 62 Surgical Castration

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 63 Surgical Castration  Once the bottom of the scrotum is removed, one of the testicles should be forced to the outside. With one hand, grasp the testicle and pull slowly and gently away from the body.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 64 Surgical Castration  With a firm grasp on the testicle and spermatic cord, additional gentle force should be used to pull the testicle until it is freed from the surrounding tissues.  Using the free hand, strip the tissues surrounding the cord back towards the animal’s body. Once the testicle is freed, gentle pulling force can be used to completely remove the rest of the cord from the body.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 65 Surgical Castration

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 66 Surgical Castration  Some testicles may require some "blunt" dissection before they can be removed.  In the following picture, the back end of the knife is used to place pressure on the cord and "peel" away any remaining tissues, while pulling force weakens and eventually ruptures the cord.  A knife should never be used to cut the cord directly. This will result in excessive bleeding. It is much better to rupture or tear the cord, instead of cutting it with a knife.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 67 Surgical Castration

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 68 Surgical Castration  An emasculator is a tool that cuts and crushes the sperm cord to prevent bleeding.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 69 Surgical Castration

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 70 Emasculatome (Burdizzo)  Burdizzo pincers, which do not leave an open wound, are another bloodless option to use on larger calves.  Work the cord to the side of the scrotum and then clamp the tool about one inch to two inches above the testicle. Pull the testicle several times to help snap the cord.  Repeat the process ½ an inch above the first spot on the same spermatic cord. Then remove the other testicle the same way.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 71 Emasculatome (Burdizzo)

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 72 Dehorning Cattle  Horned cattle require more space in the feedlot and more space in transportation.  Cattle with horns are hard on other cattle, which causes some to arrive at market with more bruises and injuries. These injuries lower the carcass value. Typically, horned cattle sell for less than cattle without horns.  Cattle with horns are more dangerous to handle.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 73 Dehorning  The age of the animal often determines the method of dehorning.  Young animals are easier to dehorn and the after effects are usually slight.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 74 Dehorning Methods  Caustic paste  Heat dehorners  Gouges & tube dehorners  Barnes type dehorner  V blade dehorner  Dehorning saw  Obstetrical wire & handle

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 75 Caustic Paste  Caustic paste can work well in small herds. The paste should be applied a few days after the calves are born.  Apply about a 1/8 thick layer of the paste on the horn and area immediately around it.  Calves should be separated from their mothers for a short time period to allow the paste to dry.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 76 Heat Dehorners  The hot iron method can be used on calves with horns that are just past the button stage.  The hot iron method is reasonably rapid and practically bloodless.  Select the size of iron that fits the horn. The iron can be heated by some source of heat or by electricity.  Burn around the horn and its base.  The horn will slough off in 4 to 6 weeks.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 77 Heat Dehorners

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 78 Gouges & Tube Dehorners  Gouges and tube dehorners cut out the young tissue before it develops into horns.  Tube dehorners slip over the top of the button or young horn. Once this is done, manually press the dehorner into the skin surrounding the horn, removing the horn tissue.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 79 Tube Dehorners

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 80 Barnes Type Dehorner & V Blade Dehorner  Barnes dehorners effectively do the same thing that the tube dehorners do, but are used on calves with larger horns.  V blade dehorners are the most efficient instrument used on older cattle with larger horns.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 81 Barnes Type Dehorner

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 82 V Blade Dehorners

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 83 Dehorning Saw & Obstetrical Wire  A dehorning saw and obstetrical wire are used for either removing the tip of a horn or the entire horn.  Using them is necessary when the base of the horn is too large for dehorners, or when abnormal horn growth prevents the use of dehorners.  On older animals with large horns, the V Blade dehorner can crack or crush the skull. Obstetrical wire is very effective for large horns.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 84 Obstetrical Wire Saw

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 85 Stopping the Bleeding  The larger the horn the more blood is lost with the procedure.  Coagulating powders are sometimes used to stop the bleeding. They cause the blood vessels to shrink and the blood to clot. Coagulating powders also tend to prevent proud flesh from developing.  A hot iron can be used to cauterize blood vessels and stop the bleeding.  Forceps can also be used to pull the main arteries supplying the horn with blood. Twist the artery around the forceps until it tears off.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 86 Artery Forceps

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 87 Horn Buttons  Methods Used:  Caustic stick or paste  Tube dehorners  Hot iron

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 88 Less Than 60 Days Old  Method Used:  Hot iron  Tube dehorner

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide Days or More  Method Used:  Hot iron  Barnes Dehorner

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 90 Older Cattle  Method Used:  V Blade Dehorners  OB wire  Hand Saw

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 91 Livestock Identification  Maintaining accurate records requires a good method of identifying the animals.  Marking cattle for identification should involve methods that are:  (1) easy to read at a distance  (2) easy to apply  (3) permanent  The use of two marking methods on an animal is strongly recommended.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 92 Animal Identification Methods  The most common methods of marking cattle are the use of ear tags, tattoos and hot brands.  Less common methods of marking cattle include freeze brands, ear notches, neck chains and horn brands.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 93 Ear Tags  Ear tags are a popular method of identifying cattle.  The biggest problem with ear tags is loss of tags. On an annual basis, it is not uncommon to lose between 10 and 20 percent of tags.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 94 Numbering Systems  Various numbering systems have been developed for use with cattle.  The numbering system must provide unique and positive identification for each animal in the herd.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 95 Numbering System  Most systems utilize a three or four digit number for each animal.  The first number represents the year of birth.  The remaining numbers represent the individual animal’s own number.  921 or = year of birth, '99 21 or 021 = individual animal’s number.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 96 Numbering System  With this system, all calves born in 1999 or in the '99 calf crop season would have numbers starting with 9 (i.e., 901, 902, 903, etc.).  Following this system, 2000 calf numbers would start at 0 and 2001 calves would be 101 or Usually these numbers are assigned in order as the calves are born.  The three digit system will handle up to 99 calves in a year or calf crop season. The four digit system will handle up to 999 calves.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 97 Ear Tag Options  Some times producers will assign a specific color of ear tag to all the progeny of a particular bull.  A tag in one ear can match the cow’s ear tag so a producer can keep track of which calves belong to which cows. The tag in the other ear will identify the individual calf.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 98 Ear Tag Pliers

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 99 Ear Notches  Cutting the ear is another way of identifying animals.  Notches are permanent.  Cattle notches, along with brands, can be registered.  They can be difficult to read without practice and are not used by many cattlemen.  Ear notches are used a lot with hogs.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 100 Ear Notch Pliers

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 101 The Following Is the Numbering System Used for Swine:  This system can create an identification number from one to several hundred without notching a location more than twice.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 102 Possible Notches in the Ear

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 103 What Is This Pigs ID Number? 

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 104 What Is This Pigs ID Number? 7

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 105 What Is This Pigs ID Number? 

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 106 What Is This Pigs ID Number? 

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 107 What Is This Pigs ID Number? 

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 108 Tattoos  Tattoos can be given in the mouth or the ear of an animal.  Ear tattoos are easy to apply and permanent. Good readable tattoos are dependent on good tattooing techniques.  A combination of ear tags and tattoos are used by many cattlemen. The ear tag features easy reading while the tattoo is permanent. In many cases, an animal with a lost tag can have its tattoo read in the head gate, and have a blank tag numbered and applied in one operation.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 109 Tattoo Pliers

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 110 Neck Chains  Neck chains are used by some breeders of polled cattle and in the dairy industry. These are used very little because of expense, loss of chains and the chances of animals getting caught on objects around the farm.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 111 Branding  Why brand cows?  Branding allows for permanent identification of ownership.  Branding can be very important in proving ownership of lost or stolen animals.  An unbranded animal is called a "slick," and is almost impossible to legally identify.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 112 The Origin of Branding  The origin of branding dates from 2700 B.C. Paintings in Egyptian tombs reveal oxen branded with hieroglyphics. Ancient Greeks and Romans marked livestock and slaves with a hot iron. Hernándo Cortés introduced branding from Spain to the new world in He brought cattle stamped with his mark of three crosses. There has never been anything to take the place of a brand as a permanent definitive mark of ownership and deterrent to theft.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 113 Brand Registry  Brands, are recorded by state livestock agencies.  The agencies also record the location you place the brand on the animal.  You may not register a particular brand if the same symbols and location have already been registered by someone else in your area.  It is important, not only to register a brand correctly, but to keep it active. Like most registrations, brand registrations do expire.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 114 Choosing a Brand  Your state's brand inspector's office will help you select a brand that falls within the limits imposed by current brand laws.  Be sure to record your chosen brand in your state's brand inspection office. Unrecorded brands offer little or no protection and add confusion.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 115 Choosing a Brand  Choose as simple a brand as possible.  Today most new brands will need to be three characters because there are so many already registered.  When choosing the characters, try to avoid "closed" characters since they are more prone to blotching.  The letter C is an "open" character.  The letters A and B and the number 8 are examples of closed characters.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 116 Choosing a Brand  The more simple the brand, the less likelihood of it's blotching and being unsightly and hard to read.  When selling animals, you should protect yourself and others by insisting that the buyer takes a complete bill of sale which has been properly filled out.  When you buy livestock, insist on a bill of sale.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 117 Branding  Methods  Hot iron  Freeze branding  Paint branding

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 118 Hot Iron Branding  Hot brands and freeze brands should be small (3" to 4" high numbers and letters) and simple.  Cattle branding irons should have a face at least 3/8 inches wide. Too thin an iron will cut too deeply or make a thin scar that will cover over with hair and will necessitate clipping to read.  Brands should be placed in the hip or butt area. Large side (rib area) brands cause too much hide damage and lower market value of the animal.  Do not allow the iron to get red-hot because that can cause a hair fire and result in a poor brand. A properly heated iron is the color of ashes.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 119 Hot Iron Branding  The iron should be held firmly on the animal for five seconds. When the branding iron is lifted, the brand should be the color of saddle leather.  Never try to brand a wet or damp animal. The brand will scald, leaving a blotch, a bad sore, or no brand at all.  The animal will bear the brand all its life, and the producer will want to always be able to identify their cattle.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 120 Freeze Branding  Freeze branding uses copper irons that are kept in liquid nitrogen.  The area to be branded is closely clipped and washed with alcohol.  The brand is held firmly in place for about 30 seconds.  White hair grows back on the branded area about 3 months after branding.  The practice is not nearly as painful as hot iron branding, and works especially well on dark colored livestock.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 121 Freeze Branding Iron

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 122 Painting Branding Iron

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 123 Reading Brands  To the inexperienced, brands resemble hieroglyphics; To the experienced livestock person, however, they become a readable language.  With practice and an understanding of some important brand terms, the average person can easily acquire basic skills in reading brands.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 124 Reading Brands  The original Spanish brands were, as a rule, complicated and beautifully rich in design, but not always practical.  The early American ranchers wanted more simple designs that were easy to remember, easily made, that did not blotch, and that were hard to alter.

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 125 Reading Brands  Brands have a language all their own. That language, like any other, follows certain rules.  The ability to read these symbols is referred to as "callin' the brand."  They can be upright, XIT  lying down or "lazy,"  connected

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 126 Reading Brands  Combined  Reversed  Hanging  Picture brands  Ladder  Rising Sun

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 127 Reading Brands  There are three accepted rules for reading brands:  Read from the left to the right.  (is read M L)  Read from the top to the bottom.  (is read Bar M)  When the brand is enclosed, it is read from the outside to the inside.  (is read Circle S) ML

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 128 Reading Brands  Y hanging 5 combined  Reverse R half circle  Slash lazy C

Infovets Educational Resources – – Slide 129 Reading Brands  Reverse R V combined  D hanging C