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Branding Cattle

FAQ on Freeze Branding

General Information - Branding today has become the most effective and economical way to identify livestock. Brands are an excellent way to determine ownership of cattle on the range, at the marketplace, or within the herd. Some breed registries require branding as a means to identify livestock. Most states require you to register any brand used on livestock. Be sure to contact your state agency and/or your breeds registry for regulations, proper placement, and availability of the brand you have chosen.

Types of Branding - The three basic types of branding used today are freeze, electric, and the old fashion way of fire branding.

Freeze branding uses a technique of liquid nitrogen or dry ice to produce an extreme cold iron. This will kill the cells which produce pigmentation in the hair thus resulting in a white or colorless hair at the branding site.

Electric branding is done in the same way that fire branding is except your heat source requires a 110 volt power source. However electric branding is safer and quicker. An electric iron can provide branding temperature heat in 90 seconds with an application time of 3-5 seconds.

Fire branding requires fire heated irons using a source of heat from usually butane, charcoal, or wood. Butane heat is the most popular as it is easily controlled and convenient. Irons should be heated to an ash gray color, irons that are too black will be too cold and irons that are red will be too hot and burn to deeply. An approximate time of application is 3 to 5 seconds depending on the age and hair cover. Cattle with thick longer hair should be clipped before hand.

Click here to see tips on Hot branding

What time of year should I brand?

Either in the spring or fall when the new hair is starting to grow in as the brand will show up sooner. Though you can apply brands anytime of year, those done when the new hair is not growing in may take up to 3 to 4 months for the white hair to appear.

What types of irons should be used?

Solid copper irons 1/4" to 5/6" thick to 1 1/2" from face to the back and 4" high are best. The 4" high brand is preferred especially if more than one number is on the brand.

How do you cool the Irons?

If the air is dry then a 99% isopropyl alcohol is best. When the air is humid alcohol can lose its cooling capabilities because it is taking

up moisture from the air. Then the practical coolant is dry ice.

How long should the irons cool?

The first time 15-20 minutes. Then after, the irons should cool until the bubbles rising from them in the liquid are reduced to a minimum. no less than 1-2 minutes should be allowed between brands with the same iron.

Should I clip the animals hair?

Yes, the hair must be clipped at the area where the brand will be applied. The time required for branding varies with the amount of short hair left. The shorter the hair the less time required.

Is the liquid applied to the clipped area?

Yes, apply the liquid after clipping to rub off any excess hair and dirt. Then apply more liquid just before you apply the iron. The liquid is necessary for transferring heat from the animal to the iron and makes for a better brand. 99% alcohol is the best liquid for this.

How long should I apply the irons?

The time will vary with the age of the animal, the clipper used, and the coolant. 45 seconds appears to be the best time for mature cattle based on field trials. Younger cattle 35-40 seconds. If you clip with a surgical clipper than 30 seconds will give good results. When liquid nitrogen is used as a coolant than 20 seconds works best.

How soon can I read the brand?

You will be able to see the raised welt as soon as the hide thaws right after branding. it is readable when the white hair appears which could be 20 days up to several months.

You will need the following for

Freeze branding:

Cooper freeze branding irons, hair clippers with a

close cutting blade, source of electricity to run the clippers, and cleaning solution in a container for the clipper head.

Containers for the liquid coolant, ( special containers are available for liquid nitrogen ), dry ice ( approx.

50-75 pounds for an 8-10 hour day of branding ). If using liquid nitrogen then dry ice is not needed.

Container for the solvent to squirt on the animal's

hide, an empty dish soap container works well, a

cloth to wipe the excess dirt off.

Two people at least, good working corrals and pens.

A watch with a second hand and someone to record brands.

Don't Forget .....

Step by Step Procedure:

1. Reduce the temperature of the liquid coolant to approximately -106 degrees C or -157 degrees F.

2. Immerse the irons in liquid coolant or dry ice bath, make sure the liquid coolant covers the irons completely.

3. Allow the irons to cool at least 20 minutes the first time.

4. In the meantime move the cattle up to the chute and clip the area to be branded. Avoid branding on the flank or paunch area.

5. Soak the clipped area with the same solvent (alcohol) as used in the dry ice.

6. Rub off the liquid.

7. Re-soak the area and apply the cold branding iron.

8. Apply firmly for 40-45 seconds, less time is needed if area was clipped with fine clipper blade.

9. After each animal is clipped wash the clipper head in the container of solvent.

10. If the same iron is needed on one animal, as in two numbers the same 'exp 44' allow at least 1 minute or more for irons to cool in between.

All prices subject to change without notice

Phone Orders or Questions: 800-225-7399 or 800-738-7012

Fax Orders: 712-552-2660 e-mail us at info@livestockconcepts.com

Livestock Concepts, Inc., 601 8th Street, Hawarden, Iowa 51023

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