Online Reporter
Farmers’s Diary
Sheuneni Kurasha
This week, we received an inquiry from a young communal farmer in Chipinge, Manicaland Province, about ear tagging for goats and sheep. The farmer, having recognised the importance of ear tagging in livestock management, asked several insightful questions, including:
What types of ear tags would you recommend for goats and sheep grazing in communal settings?
Are there specific tools or techniques I should use to ensure proper tagging?
How can ear tagging help with record-keeping and managing breeding programmes?
What measures can I take to prevent infections or minimise tag loss?
In response, this week’s article focuses on the topic of ear tagging in goats and sheep. Our goal is to empower farmers with practical knowledge about the purposes and procedures of ear tagging.
By understanding its functions—such as improving animal identification, enhancing record-keeping, and supporting effective herd management—farmers can adopt this essential practice confidently and efficiently.
Why ear tagging is important
Ear tagging is more than a simple identification tool; it is the foundation of effective livestock management. For communal farmers where animals graze together, ear tags prevent disputes by clearly distinguishing ownership.
This helps minimise misunderstandings and reduces the risk of theft. In addition to aiding ownership identification, ear tags simplify record-keeping by enabling farmers to track an animal’s age, health history, breeding performance, and productivity.
This is particularly valuable for maintaining detailed records of breeding programmes, allowing farmers to identify their best-performing animals and prevent issues like inbreeding through effective tracking and separation.
Another significant benefit of ear tagging is disease management.
During outbreaks or vaccination campaigns, tagged animals are easier to monitor and isolate, ensuring prompt treatment and preventing the further spread of illness within the flock or herd.
For farmers targeting commercial markets, ear tagging becomes even more critical.
Tagged livestock are often preferred as they demonstrate proper management practices and traceability—a key requirement for export compliance.
This enhances the market value of the animals, creating opportunities for higher returns.
Ultimately, ear tagging is a multi-purpose tool that supports identification, improves record-keeping, enhances disease control, and boosts market readiness, making it indispensable for efficient livestock farming.
Step-by-Step guide to ear tagging
Ear tagging is a straightforward process that requires careful attention to ensure the animals welfare and avoid errors. Farmers must follow these steps to help themselves in tagging their goats and sheep effectively:
Prepare your tools and tags
Start by gathering all the necessary equipment. Depending on your needs, choose appropriate ear tags for your livestock, which can be plastic, metal, or RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags.
Ensure you have a reliable ear tagging applicator, this tool is essential for proper application.
Choose the right spot
Identify the ideal placement for the tag. The tag should be positioned between the cartilage ridges in the middle of the ear, avoiding any blood vessels.
This reduces the risk of bleeding or infections and ensures the tag is secure and comfortable for the animal.
Restrain the animal
Properly restrain the sheep or goat to prevent sudden movements during tagging.
You can use a restraining chute or enlist the help of another person to hold the animal steady. This step is crucial for accuracy and for minimising stress on the animal.
Sanitise equipment and the ear
Hygiene is vital to prevent infections.
Disinfect the tagging applicator and clean the ear with an antiseptic solution. This step reduces the likelihood of complications after tagging.
Apply the tag
Follow the manufacturer,s instructions to load the tag into the applicator. Place the applicator on the chosen spot in the ear, ensuring the tag’s number or code faces outward for easy identification.
Press the applicator firmly but smoothly to secure the tag in place.6.
Monitor recovery
After tagging, observe the animal for a few days to ensure the area heals properly. Watch for signs of infection, such as swelling or redness, and clean or treat the site as necessary to promote recovery.
Factors to consider when choosing ear tag types
Choosing the right type of ear tags is essential for effective livestock management, particularly in challenging environments where livestock face harsh weather and communal grazing conditions.
Durable tags are critical to withstand mud, rain, and sunlight exposure.
Plastic tags with UV protection are ideal for outdoor use, as they resist fading and wear. In contrast, RFID tags are an excellent choice for farmers interested in integrating digital tracking systems.
Readability is another key factor to consider.
Tags with large, bold numbers or letters save time during identification and reduce the need for close handling.
For farmers managing mixed flocks, colour-coded tags can be particularly useful for distinguishing animals based on ownership, breeding status, or other criteria, ensuring easy identification in communal settings.
Animal comfort is equally important.
Tags should be appropriately sized to suit the age and breed of the livestock. Oversized tags can cause discomfort, while very small tags may fall off.
Ensuring a proper fit enhances the animals’ welfare and the longevity of the tags. Compliance with market and regulatory requirements is also a vital consideration.
Some premium markets and local regulations mandate specific tag types, such as RFID tags, to ensure traceability.
Farmers targeting such markets should research these requirements in advance to avoid setbacks.
Cost-effectiveness should not be overlooked.
While RFID tags and high-quality plastic options may initially seem costly, their durability and functionality often offset the need for frequent replacements, saving money in the long run. Balancing affordability with quality ensures sustainable tagging practices.
Lastly, environmental suitability is a crucial factor. Tags that resist rust or degradation, such as plastic tags or coated metal tags, perform better under such conditions.
These choices ensure that the tags remain intact and functional despite challenging environmental factors.
Addressing Common Challenges
While ear tagging is an invaluable tool for livestock management, it comes with challenges.
One common issue is tag loss, often caused by poor application or playful animal behaviour, especially goats.
To mitigate this, farmers should invest in high-quality tags and ensure correct placement during tagging.
Regular inspections are also essential to promptly identify and replace missing tags, maintaining the integrity of identification systems.
Infections represent another significant challenge, usually resulting from improper hygiene during tagging.
Neglecting to disinfect the applicator or failing to clean the animal’s ear can lead to complications.
Farmers are strongly encouraged to sanitise all equipment and the animal’s ear before applying tags and to monitor animals closely for any signs of infection. Early detection and treatment can prevent more severe problems.
Readability issues, such as faded or damaged tags, can make identification difficult, especially in harsh conditions.
Opting for durable, UV-protected tags with clear engraving or high-quality ink can ensure longevity and ease of reading. These tags are better suited to withstand environmental wear and tear, reducing the need for frequent replacements.
Tips for Successful Ear Tagging
To maximise the benefits of ear tagging, it is essential to tag lambs and kids early, ideally at 2–3 weeks of age.
This helps reduce stress and ensures a smoother healing process.
For farmers working with family members or hired labour, training everyone involved in the tagging process is crucial.
Proper training ensures consistency in technique and adherence to hygiene protocols, which are vital for the animal’s welfare.In addition to ear tagging, complementary methods such as ear notching can offer extra security, particularly in communal grazing setups where ownership can sometimes be disputed.
However, these methods should always comply with animal welfare standards to ensure the well-being of the livestock.
Keeping detailed records is also vital for successful ear tagging. Farmers should maintain a logbook or digital records for each tagged animal, noting the tag number, birth date, health treatments, and breeding data.
These records help track the animals’ history and ensure effective management, especially in large or mixed flocks.
Conclusion
Ear tagging is a simple yet transformative tool for managing sheep and goats.
It goes beyond merely attaching a piece of plastic to an animal’s ear—it is an investment in livestock’s efficient and sustainable management.
By selecting and applying ear tags correctly and maintaining accurate records, farmers can lay a solid foundation for success in goat and sheep farming and livestock farming in general.
Sheuneni Kurasha is the managing director of Chivara Farm, a diversified farming operation, which specialises in stud breeding for small livestock (Boer goats, Kalahari Red goats, Savanna goats, dairy goats (Saanen and Toggenburg), Damara sheep and Meatmaster sheep) as well as Boran cattle.
For feedback, kindly get in touch on email: kurashas@gmail.com; X: @chivarafarm or WhatsApp: +263 77 2874 523.
