Metal Tags

• Metal tags are the most common cattle ear ID used today. A small, thin piece of metal is stamped with the rancher's identification and cattle number or identifier. The tag is commonly made of steel or aluminum. Attaching the tag is similar to permanently piercing an ear. A piercing tool punches a round hole in the ear of the cattle. The metal tag clips through the hole and is snapped into place with a pair of pliers.
  
  

RFID

• The radio frequency identification device (RFID) is becoming a popular way to tag cattle as well as domestic pets. A small electronic device is inserted into the cattle's ear, just under the skin. The RFID is as small as a grain of rice and does not affect the health of the cattle. A monitoring system is controlled by satellites, and the rancher can log on to the Internet or use a handheld device to find the location of any of the cattle in his herd. The system is similar to a GPS system in a car.
  
  

Insecticide Ear Tags

• Insecticide ear tags are a newly developed type of cattle ear ID. A plastic tag is formed with an insecticide laced into the plastic that prevents flies and other insects from infesting the cattle. Similar to the metal ID tag, the plastic tag has all the rancher's information stamped into the side of the tag. The cattle have a small cut made in the earlobe so that the plastic can slide through the ear and snap together. Some insecticide tags are clipped onto the ear of the cattle, connecting the tag more securely.
  
  

Ear Notching

• Many ranchers use the ear-notching method to ID their cattle. The cattle's ear has a specific design cut into one ear so the rancher can ID his herd. This kind of cattle ear ID tagging is not as expensive as the other types of ID tags. A disadvantage of this type of ID tag, however, comes from possible infections to the cattle's ear because of the open wound. The ear-notching method can also be easily forged by cattle thieves.
  
  

Tattoos

• Another common form of cattle ear ID are tattoos. A rancher produces a distinctive design, and the cattle in his herd are tattooed with this same design. Placing a tattoo on the ear of cattle is a time-consuming task, however, as well as difficult. The cattle must be inserted into a head attachment so the ear is accessible and the head is held immovable during the process. Again, identifying the cattle with this type of tag is easily forged by cattle thieves or colored over, preventing the rancher from showing proof of ownership.