Ask The Vet

Cattle Identification Tattooing Tips

Many producers use tattooing as a means to ID cattle. Here's how veterinarian Ken McMillan uses the technique. (DTN/Progressive Farmer image by Claire Vath)
Many producers use tattooing as a means to ID cattle. Here's how veterinarian Ken McMillan uses the technique. (DTN/Progressive Farmer image by Claire Vath)


By Dr. Ken McMillan
DTN/The Progressive Farmer Contributing Editor

QUESTION: When it comes to tattooing cattle for identification, what is the best method so the tattoo remains discernible in the future?

ANSWER: Over the years, my best producers have helped teach me the basics of tattooing cattle. These include cleaning the ear with a dry, disposable terry cloth towel; using green-colored paste; tattooing firmly; and brushing in quickly with a toothbrush before too much blood accumulates.

But, as we say in the South, there is more than one way to skin a cat than choke him on butter. Some people like to clean the ear by cutting the wax with alcohol or canned ether. Some people like to pre-apply the ink before the tattoo.

Folks with green thumbs may use them to rub the paste in, which won't make them good gardeners, by the way. Some people like black paste, and still others swear by ink. As for me, I have had my best success with green, even in black-hided cattle.

Copyright 2013 DTN/The Progressive Farmer. All rights reserved.

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