Option 1: Tattooing Cow's Ear 

If you choose TATTOO for your perm ID on your cattle, there are some things to keep in mind.

This should go without saying but you do need to actually put the tattoo on the Dexter's ear. Simply recording a tattoo sequence for the purpose of registration, without actually making sure the tattoo is on the Dexter is not allowed and is likely to cause problems down the road for you and the animal. This perm ID is used in vet records, health certificates, movement across state lines, events, theft cases and much more. Tattoos are a great way to make sure your Dexters have that Perm mark on their hide.

Typically standard ID for cattle should go in the Cow's LEFT ear, whether that be a tattoo or tag. The right ear is typically saved for a Heifer's Brucellosis tattoo/tag, put in by a vet. So if you tattoo for registration purposes, consider using the Dexter's Left ear.

Application technique: Everyone has their own way of doing this but this is what has worked on our farm. Before heading out to the working area make sure you have the correct numbers and letter format in your tattoo gun. Test the direction of the digits by clamping down on a piece of paper. If tattooing more than one cow you will need to bring extra numbers to change from Dexter to Dexter, since each cow needs to have their own unique tattoo.

Once you are ready to work, place the Dexter in a squeeze chute if older. Restrain the head with a halter, so they are still. You will be tattooing the inner ear flap, between the cartilage ribs of the ear, where there is a smooth flat surface ( see picture below.) Using a paper towel, clean off any debris or wax from the ear flap. Once clean, roll on your ink, in the location you want to tattoo. I typically choose the upper 1/3 area of the ear, to tattoo, so I can still add in a hanging tag in the center rib, if I decide to. When ready quickly and firmly press the tattoo gun clamp down. HOLD ON and press down for at least a few seconds. Once you release the tattoo gun, return to the ear with more ink and a toothbrush. Use the toothbrush to work the ink down further in the holes, you should see left behind. Do not wipe off any excess ink.

Jeffers: https://www.jefferspet.com/products/revolving-head-tattoo-w-release  ( we use the green ink here, but Black is good too.)  Also buy an extra bag of letters and numbers, in the same size as the ones coming with your kit ( typically 3/8 “ digits.)

PBS Animal Health: https://www.pbsanimalhealth.com/categories/beef

Valley Vet: https://www.valleyvet.com/ct_search_results.html?q=tattoo

Please read this information from the ADCA site. https://dextercattle.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Tattoo-Letter-Guidelines_12-2020-1.pdf

*You can choose your own Tattoo sequence. The ADCA has the above as a recommendation to follow.

2020-summer_adca_tattoo_tag_article.pdf