Ministry Cattle Tags
How To Tag
Plastic tags
- Use genuine Fearing Applicators or Adaptors. If you need to adapt your existing pliers please give us a call for advice.
- Try to tag in cooler conditions to minimise "fly-strike" (the main cause of septic ear wounds).
- Check that the tags are printed with the correct information before insertion into the animal.
- Hold the animal's head securely, allowing you to locate the correct position for the tag in the ear.
Correct Position
In-correct Position
The correct position for fitting plastic tags to cattle and sheep is a location about 25% along the ear, away from the head, just above the middle vein, between the two lines of cartilage.
Always fit the female half of the tag to the front of the ear i.e. the male pin should come through the ear from the back - this will minimise losses due to snagging.
- Separate the two halves of the tag and load the male onto the pin of the plier, pushing it firmly down.
- Load the female into the opposite arm of the plier by pushing down the spring-loaded jaw.
- Press the plier one time heavily.
- When the male half loads into the female half you will hear an audible click.
Metal tags
- Always ensure that you leave a 5mm space under the fold of the tag to allow for ear growth.
- Fit the tag so the "curl lock" is at the front - this will minimise losses due to snagging.
- Consider the areas on your farm where livestock are kept - remove or modify any sharp object which the animals are likely to rub against. String and bale wrap can easily snare tags so should be removed from areas where cattle or sheep are kept.
- After a week check newly tagged animals and treat any inflamed wounds you see.
When fitting metal tags to cattle choose a location at the top of the ear about 25% out from the head.
- Slide the metal tag off the cardboard tube and insert into the plier.
- The female half (with the bobble) should sit in the hollow of the anvil.
- The back or fold of the tag, should fit snuggly between the wings of the anvil and up to the back plate.
- Press the plier one time heavily.
