Falklands : Farmer's Week - Sheep Identification
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 14.07.2006 (Article Archived on 28.07.2006)
Sheep identification can take many forms but in the Falklands brands are spray-painted on the sheep.
FARMERS’ WEEK – SHEEP IDENTIFICATION
By J. Brock (FINN)
During day two of Farmers week there was an excellent discussion about sheep identification and tagging. Tags are needed so that the Abattoir can identify the origin and movement of animals processed by the Abattoir. If a sheep is found to be diseased, for example, the ear tag would tell the Abattoir’s vet where the animal was born and if it was on sold as well as how many times it was sold.
According to Senior Vet, Mr. Vick Epstein, many methods – including computerised ones – had been tried but pen and paper seemed to be the best method of tracking sheep. Suggestions ranged from micro-chipping animals as well as putting a tag in the sheep’s ear every time it is used. Using coloured tags was also discussed but this is impractical because you can run out of colours before you run out of farms.
One of the best methods thus far is spray-paint branding of sheep destined for the Abattoir. It is recommended that one months’ growth is ideal before branding. Longer wool could make the brand unreadable.
Tim Blake brought up the fact that while the paint could be scoured from the wool, the tanning process for skins does not include scouring in the tanning process..
Legislation may be needed for where the brand should be located but most agree that a forequarter near the shoulder may be ideal.
Options are open for suggestions and for research into better methods but until then it looks as if we will be painting brands on sheep destined for the abattoir.
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