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Identification Systems
Identification systems are important because blah blah blah. There are several way of identifying cattle from within herd IDs, tattoos, breed association registration numbers and international registration numbers used in genetic evaluation programs. In order to keep all data collected associated with an individual animal an effective beef cattle identification system is essential. Standards have been developed for identification methods that ensure unique and accurate identification of animals during the transmission and processing of data. Because the number of animals processed in genetic evaluation is routinely in the millions, it is not practical to routinely use registration number information for on-farm data collection. Standards for ear tagging and on-farm electronic identification have also been implemented. In addition, recording of animal identification is closely associated with the collection of genomic information. Animal identification is the basis for keeping accurate production records of the herd/flock. Individual animal identification allows producers to keep records on an animal's parentage, birth date, production records, health history, and a host of other important management information. Accurate records provide the producer with enough information to make indi- vidual or whole herd/flock manage- ment decisions. In many instances, the producer needs to be able to quickly identify an animal. A suc- cessful identification system makes this task more efficient. Identification is also important to indicate owner- ship of a particular animal, or to indicate the herd/flock of origin. There are many identification systems, but selection should be based on the method that best fits an operation's needs. Factors such as size of the operation, type of records kept, nence, and how easy or difficult the method is to apply. Two different methods should be used to assure permanent identification. Once a system has been selected, it is impor- tant to be consistent with providing each animal a unique and permanent identification number that matches with each method used. Be careful not to duplicate numbers over a minimum of a ten-year period. When an animal is born/purchased, it should be identified immediately with only one unique number, which will serve as its identification number until it departs from the herd/flock.
Need table of year letter codes
