Applying Cattle Ear Tags: 3 Questions, Answered

Key Takeaways

• Cattle ear tags are the most common form of animal ID, helping producers track key records such as calving dates, health treatments, nutrition needs, growth, and culling decisions.
• Tags come in many options–plastic visual tags, numbered or blank, engravable, and electronic RFID/EID tags that support fast, accurate data management.
• Proper application requires the right equipment, including the correct tag applicator, clean ears, a chute, disinfectant, and the selected tags.
• For best retention, place tags in the middle third of the ear between the ribs, avoid tagging muddy ears, and ensure RFID buttons are on the inside with the visual panel on the outside.
• Correct application prevents infections, abscesses, and lost tags, helping ensure reliable identification and long-term herd management.

There’s a right and a wrong way to apply cattle ear tags for effective cattle ID.

What are cattle ID tags, and why is cattle ID important?

• • Tony Hawkins, DVM, Valley Vet Supply technical service veterinarian, explained how awareness of individual animal treatment is essential for record-keeping purposes.
  • “Common variables to track include body condition scoring, calving date, ease of calving, weaning weight and average daily gain, milk production, vaccination/processing date and products used, and tracking animal health and treatments. These records allow producers to make appropriate management decisions, such as targeted nutrition groups or culling,” says Dr. Hawkins.
  • A plastic cattle ear tag is the most common method of cattle id animal identification. There are many options available: colors, retention method, numbered vs. blank, engravable, electronic ear tag identification (EID), also referred to as radio frequency identification (RFID) or rfid cattle tags -- the list goes on, Dr. Hawkins outlined.
  • Ear tags for cattle are convenient, relatively inexpensive, and can be read from a distance.

What do cattlemen need to apply cattle ear tags?

• • Ear tag(s) of choice
  • Correct applicator tag removal knife
  • Pen (for blank tags)
  • Chute
  • Disinfectant Solution
  • Halter

What are tips to help effectively apply cattle ear tags?

• • Make sure you have the correct ear tag applicator, recommends Julia Herman, DVM, MS, beef cattle specialist veterinarian with the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA). “There are many styles of ear tags and they each have their own applicator. Confirm you have the correct applicators for the tag you are using before herd work.”
  • “Clean ears are ideal. Placing a tag in a muddy ear could introduce dirt or bacteria into the site. This can cause an infection or abscess, and the tag could fall out later,” explains Dr. Herman.
  • Place tags into the middle third of the ear; between the upper and lower ribs is the strongest part of the ear. This will prevent tags from being ripped out when cattle end up in the brush or trees.
  • RFID cattle tags are easiest when read with a stick reader or wand but can still be read if animals are properly restrained. Wands allow fast reading and data management. Ensure the button is on the inside of the ear and the visual panel is on the outside of the ear when applying.

Another common form of cattle identification includes the cattle ear tattoo; learn more about ear tattooing in cattle.

Continue learning about cattle ear tags, by reading:

• • How to Boost Ranch Profits with Cattle Ear Tags
  • Q&A: Cattle Ear Tags
  • Cattle Identification: Incorporating Official ID and Genetics

Whether for horse, livestock, or pet, Valley Vet Supply is your one-stop shop for trusted care. Explore more of our cattle identification category at ValleyVet.com