Printed ear tags

[LCP]

We've used Y-tex or Z-tags in our cows for a long time, and been writing the numbers by hand. Seems like the ink fades faster every year. I suppose they figure they will sell more tags that way. Anyhow we are thinking about buying some custom numbered tags. I've used the hot stamp kind before, won't do that again. Anyone out there have experience with other forms of printing?

[3words]

If you do use custom numbered tags,use white tags the coloured ones seem to curl up during the summer and very hard to read if at all.At least thats my experience using them.

[Oldtimer]

Something to try with your tags to keep from fading is to take them after you put your number on them- and stick them in the microwave for about 20 seconds (no longer)...

I was told a few years ago about this by a breeder- and have tried it on some- and so far it seems to be holding true... Any of the permanent cow tags we stick in now have all been nuked...The ones I nuked- are way far plainer... I'll see how it works in another 5-6 years....

[cowwrangler]

[Silver]

I've had the best luck with yellow tags and black ink. Wait for the ink to dry and give it a second application. The only ones that seem to fade are those with one coat. I've been meaning to try the microwave idea, but there's no microwave in the barn where I make out tags, and I like to make them out as the calves are born.
Ritchie makes an engrave-able tag that of course never fade. We quit on them because they tended to break off at the stem. The neighbours use them and they don't appear to be breaking, so maybe Ritchie fixed the problem.


*Edited to say Ritchie, because I mistakenly said Allflex originally

[George]

I still like the Temple Tags out of Temple Texas http://www.templetag.com/ - - - The original tags are still readable at about 5 years - - - I have tried others and seems they all fade about the same but with the buttom and taper Temple tags put together I almost never lose a tag - - - can't say that with any other tags I have tried.

After they fade I reapply about every 2 years when they are in the chute anyway.

My name , address, and phone number on the back will last about 10 years - - - not as much sun to the back side!

I use the large red with black ink on the cows and Yellow medium with black ink for the claves - - - as I get older it is easier for me to read the Yellow and with under 25 cows I might order a large set of Yellow and replace all this fall - - - Less than $1.00 each

Great people to deal with even with small orders like mine!

[LCP]

I'll have to try the microwave idea, never heard of it before. Trouble is it takes a long time to find out what works!

I sold a 15 yr old cow last spring, still had her original cow tags I put in her 13 yrs ago. They were Z-tags and I never had to write new numbers on them. Something must have changed in their ink, because I've never had as good a luck as I did with her. I think we switched to Y-tex after that. I guess I should have cut those old Z-tags out, maybe if I sent them to the company I'd get some kind of deal!

[Jake]

Y-tex makes a gel that soaks into the tag and I have yet to see it every fade. Our cows all get engraved ritchie tags though, they are by far my favorite.

[littlejoe]

[cowwrangler]

one other thing i started doing is putting a different color tag in the hefeirs,makes alot easier for sorting and counting,and when they come into the chute in the fall i know what they are

[Shortgrass]

I use the Ritche tag. I call it a sandwich tag. It is a colored layer over black center, and the # is ground into it. no fading ever. Works for me.

[Justin]

i've had very good luck with the z tags staying visible. although, i notice all the 3 year old's tags are fading fast, must have had a bad batch of ink that year