Kimberly A.

Muñez BSA-2 B043 Ansc22

ASSESSMENT 4.3
1. What is the importance of herd division?
It considers the condition of the animals. The animal in every stage of the production has
different nutritional requirements, and through herd division the requirements of the herd are meet.
For examples the Pregnant herd, pregnant animals should be separated from the herd, especially
in the last two months of their pregnancy. They must receive an adequate supply of energy, protein,
vitamins, and minerals for their maintenance and fetal growth requirement. Poor nutrition of
pregnant animals usually results in weak offspring that are more susceptible to diseases.
Replacement females should be separated from males until they are ready for breeding. The
occurrence of heat should be properly observed to facilitate breeding and recording. Animals that
do not come to heat at their scheduled time should be carefully examined. Through herd division
providing the requirements of the herd (Pregnant herd, breeding herd, Heifer herd, Steers,
feeder/fattener herd, Bull herd are divided) became easy.
2. What is the standard identification method of identifying cattle? Explain your answer.
Cattle identification is essential to enable legal proof of ownership for those responsible
for cattle welfare and cattle management. The methods of identifying beef cattle include hide
brands (hot iron and freeze branding), ear marks (cropping, notching, or splitting the ear), eartags
(metal, plastic, rubberized plastic), neckchains, and straps with numbers, tattooing, Rumen bolus
(Radio frequency identification devices), Tail tags and Ankle straps.
Hot iron branding is an important practice especially for extensively managed herds, where
there is no alternative of simple and permanent visual identification that is reliable. Ear marking,
ear tagging and ear tattooing are very quick procedures. Eartags can usually be classified into one
of three styles: one-piece plastic, two-piece plastic, and metal. These tags vary in shape, size, color,
and method of attachment to the ear. In most cases you will use a special tool, knife, or pliers to
pierce the ear and pass a portion of the tag through the ear. A basic reason for using plastic eartags
is to identify the animal from a distance. Therefore, you should consider size and color
combinations. When you are using plastic tags, it is a good idea to number both sides.
Tattooing is a method of identifying cattle involves the use of needle points in the shape of
letters and numbers to pierce the front surface of the ear. You rub special indelible tattoo paste or
ink into the pierced area. As the punctures heal, the ink or paste is trapped under the surface of the
skin, and it shows up as the numbers/letters, which can be used when registering cattle. If you do
the job properly, tattoos will remain in the ear throughout the life of the animal and they do not
scar the animal.