How to install ear tags
Time:
2025-06-11
Bovine mastitis is one of the most common diseases of the dairy herd. It has a great impact on the health of the animals and especially on the economy of the farm and the dairy sector.

It is required that livestock have a permanent form of identification before they are transported from the farm where they were born. Ear tags are one form of permanent identification for animal. Learn how to ear tag your own stock with these step-by-step directions.
Steps for Ear Tagging
- Separate your tags into two pieces (female and male) and confirm that they have identical numbers
- Load the tag pieces into the tag applicator. The male piece slides over the pin and the female piece fits under the spring.
- Depress the tag applicator just enough to make sure the pointed tip of the male tag piece will line up properly with the hole in the female tag piece, do not push down all the way!
- Restrain the animal you want to tag.
- Inspect the inner ear, look for any warts, signs of trauma or abnormalities. Make note of the location of the blood vessels/ nerves and mentally note where you want the ear tag to go
- At the desired location, place the ear between the male and female ear tag pieces of the tag applicator. Depress the tagger firmly, clamping the pieces together.
- Slide the tagging applicator off and check your work (there is usually no bleeding and the animal gets right back to its normal activity)