Livestock branding
[1] Among the ancient Romans, the symbols used for brands were sometimes chosen as part of a magic spell aimed at protecting animals from harm.
[2] In English lexicon, the word "brand", common to most Germanic languages (from which root also comes "burn", cf.
These European customs were imported to the Americas and were further refined by the vaquero tradition in what today is the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
The unique brand meant that cattle owned by multiple ranches could then graze freely together on the open range.
This technique has since been superseded by implanted PIT microchips (combined with ID numbers painted on the shell).
Modern ranch practice has moved toward use of chutes where animals can be run into a confined area and safely secured while the brand is applied.
The calf is then pulled up to several sloping topped panels and a post constructed for the purpose in the centre of the yard.
The unmounted stockmen then apply leg ropes and pull it to the ground to be branded, earmarked and castrated (if a bull) there.
Regardless of heating method, the iron is only applied for the amount of time needed to remove all hair and create a permanent mark.
Branding irons are applied for a longer time to cattle than to horses, due to the differing thicknesses of their skins.
If a brand is applied too long, it can damage the skin too deeply, thus requiring treatment for potential infection and longer-term healing.
It does this by putting together a letter and number to represent the year born and the birth order, then the tag is either attached to the animal’s ear or to some form of neck collar.
This white-on-dark pattern is prized by cattle ranchers as its contrast allows some range work to be conducted with binoculars rather than individual visits to every animal.
Scientists also value the technique for keeping tabs on studied wildlife without having to approach to read, for example, an ear tag.
To apply a freeze brand the hair coat of the animal is first shaved very closely so that bare skin is exposed.
Shorter times are used on dark-colored animals, as this causes follicle melanocyte death and hence permanent pigment loss to the hair when it regrows.
Neither hogs nor birds can presently be freeze branded successfully, as their hair pigment cells are better protected.
Besides livestock, freeze branding can also be used on wild, hairless animals such as dolphins for purposes of tracking individuals.
Horses that test positive for equine infectious anemia, that are quarantined for life rather than euthanized, will be freeze branded for permanent identification.
As of 2011, the issue of whether to mandate horses be implanted with RFID microchips under the National Animal Identification System generated considerable controversy in the United States.
[28] Although alternative methods of identification such as ear tags are suggested, the practice of branding is still common worldwide.
[30] Topical treatments such as cooling gels helps speed healing in pigs, but results are less clear for cattle.
[31] Common concerns include how long the animal is restrained, size and location of the brand, and whether analgesics are applied for pain relief.
A 2018 study in Sri Lanka, where hot-iron branding is illegal but still widely practiced, concluded that it impairs animal welfare and that there is no real way to improve the procedure.
[29] However, this particular study looked at four small dairy farms that used a technique where multiple applications of irons (“drawing”) created large brands extended across the ribs and took at least a full minute to apply and 10 weeks to heal.
