Correct Identification
One of the simplest ways to enhance the value of your herd is to keep accurate identification, health, reproduction and production records.
Tattoo Your Animals
Tattoos are easy to read in the ears of Brown Swiss cattle and do not get lost like traditional dangle or button tags. The Application for Registry requires breeders to provide the animal's tattoo number and which ear it is in. If an animal loses her eartag, the tattoo number can easily be matched with the one on her registration paper and there won't be a need for a DNA test. However, if she has no tattoo, the seller of the calf pays for the parentage verification.
USA RFID Tags
The Brown Swiss Association prefers to register animals using its own series of registration numbers. However, breeders may choose to register their animals using RFID USA (840) series tags. If these tags are used, the animal must be double tagged, with both a button tag and a dangle tag displaying the number. Again, a tattoo is still recommended. These are either Radio Frequency ID tags or official Animal Identification Number (AIN) tags. When registering an animal identified with RFID tags be sure to use the entire 840 number.