Year/Letter

2024 - M

2025 - N

2026 - P

2027 - R

Ear tags are a great way to easily identify an animal out in the field, but they tend to fade after several years or get lost, so should be considered only part of your animal identification system.

For permanent identification ear tattooing, hot-iron and freeze branding are the choices.

What do the Letters/Numbers mean?

The series of digits used can mean whatever you want. There is no hard set rule, so select a system that suits your needs.

A common way of identification consists of 3-4 digits.

One digit represents your herd/farm name

One or two digits represents the animal itself

One digit represents the year of birth

Example: A2E

A = Amazing Acres 2 = animal (could be the second calf born that year) N = 2025

Lethal genes exist in every breed of cattle:

Neurophathic Hydrocephalus and Arthrogryposis Multiplex are lethal genetic defect that affects Angus and Angus-influenced cattle, Tibial Hemimelia is found in Shorthorns and Maine-Anjous. Beta (ß)-Mannosidosis in Salers, Contracture in Holstiens, Hypotrichosis congenita (Hairless) in Holsteins, Fresians and Jerseys and the list goes on. Chondro and PHA are the two biggies in the Dexter breed.

Lethal genes typically cause birth defects which results in the death of the fetus or newborn calf but in some cases the resulting deformaties can mean death for the dam as well.

But nowadays a lethal outcome is entirely preventable by using genetic testing to identify a carrier, having a clear understanding of inheritability and using both to make wise breed pairings.

Learn more

There are three commonly used laboratories for genetic testing for cattle.

UC Davis is the most commonly used laboratory by PDCA members and has a solid reputation for its accuracy.

UCDavis

Neogen/Igenity

Texas A&M University

The mapping of genetic markers within an animal's DNA to establish a unique identification like a fingerprint.

Genetic material (DNA) is obtained from hair folical samples.

Cost to geneotype at UCDavis - $ 25

Cattle DNA tests are carried out using 20-30 hairs with roots, easily pulled from the switch (tip) of the tail then sent to a genetics laboratory for analysis.

Detailed Instructions from UCDavis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory