CCIA TAGS

[db-75]

is anyone else having problems with the ALLFLEX CCIA tags falling out?? we used to use Ritchie tags and they stayed in much better. yesterday we replaced over 75 tags.

[Smithy]

We lose around 10% of ours in the first few months. It seems like once they last that long they stay in.

[Muttley]

Since I started using these new tags my tag loss has went very high. I used to hardly ever lose a tag now it seems to happen on new borns right up to the cows.

There was no reason these tag companies couln't have just put the info needed on the old tags and left well enough alone. I have tried different brands and styles and seem to have problems with all. I think the tag companies seen all this as just another money grab from us again.

I have so many diferent taggers and tags I may have to have a seperate sale day just to get rid of them when I retire!!!(HA HA HA)

[TJM]

We are going back to our old system this year. We tag the calves with different colored tags acording to the sire and put the birth date and a 3 - 4 lettered number on the tag as well. Since these ccia tags are limited in color, don't have enough space on them because you can't write on the bar code and their retention is questionable, we are going back to our Ritchies. It took all last summer to figure out what calf belonged to what cow and sired by who without looking in the book, and then the next day they would be tagless. We will put the little tags in the ear when they are sold, I guess. Would really like to get some of the electronic tags, if they weren't so $$. I would like to see a discount for these tags over the ear tags for two reasons. They don't fall out ( but will migrate ) and the packers will supposedly be able to read them easier. I'm starting to think that any cattle we sell that will be backgrounded or fed out, we'll add the cost of the tags onto the animal. Seems cheap, but nothing comes free anymore. If I know the buyer and the cattle aren't ccia tagged until sold anyway, I could even put the feedlot calf # on the tag, saving them a tag anyway. The industry used to complain about too many brands on certain animals. What about tags??

[db-75]

Thanks for the feedback, glad we aren't the only ones! When you tag over 300 calves it's nice to know who belongs to who.

[topper]

We use Z tags on our calves and usually tag about 200 calves a year. I think in the last two years we have lost about 3 or 4 tags and those where mostly pulled right through the ear. Most of my neighbors are also using them so I think they have a pretty good reputation in this area. You can check them out at http://www.ztags.com/

[countryguy]

Topper,does Z-Tags make ccia tags?

[topper]

countryguy: Yes Z tags make ccia tags. They aren't quite the same as their regular one piece tags that I used to like. But I have had very good luck with the new tags, so I would recommend them to anyone.

[smcgrath76]

Interesting to note the discussion on Electronic tags. The only approved electronic tags are button types (they do not allow implants). They are basically identical to a floppy, except instead of the dangle portion it looks like a button on either side.
The CCIA (Cdn Cattle Identifcation Agency) is currently running an EID tag trial to test the retention, and readability of these tags for full approval. Having worked extensively with the technology, I am extremely comfortable in saying that EID will make value added programs and data transfer back to the producer much easier.
If EID is approved and some other species implementing their traceback programs begin to use the CCIA data base and EID tags, then the cost of these EID tags should drop to a level comparable with dangle tags.
Currently the EID tags for the trial are available for $2 per tag (still above dangle tags, but well below market price). If you are interested it might be worthwhile to contact the CCIA office.

[dalek]

The implant tags are being used in Quebec under CCIA aren't they? I seem to recall that they already had them in use under a provincial program.

[dalek]

The implant tags are being used in Quebec under CCIA aren't they? I seem to recall that they already had them in use under a provincial program.

[15444]

Use the Ritchey tags. We switched to them last year after using Allflex for 25 years. Every year we experienced an approx. loss of 10-15% of our ear tags. Have yet to lose a Ritchey tag. Although the Ritchey applicator is not the best for the cone type tags, it is still the best tag. The cone type is also the best of the Ritchey's as it can swing freely in the ear and does not have a flat button for branches to get under and rip it out.

[ab-oldtimer]

Have been using the large All-flex CCIA tags on our calves the last two years and have not lost more than one or two per year. Have not got the yearlings home from the feedlot yet so am not exactly sure of the loses but from what I saw last visit the were no loses yet. Have tried a lot of differnt tags in our cow herd and were happy with All-flex retention but not happy with the numbers not staying on even with the preprinted. Tryed Richie pin and cone tags with the engravable numbers but the loses ran over 10% a year. Are now useing Ram Bull engravables but sill lose 6 to 7% a year. May try Richie universal engravables next. Also tag cows with a metal tag and never lose any. It's the only way we know the cows number when she loses the dangle tag. We only CCIA tag the cows as they are sold until CCIA taged repacement heifers come into the herd. I have a feeling that those tags will be lost or broken by the time the heifer becomes a cull cow.

[ab-oldtimer]

In regards to the Allflex tag. A fellow I know had some problems with them fallen out too. He started warming up the tags on the heat vent in the truck before he applied them to the calf. He figured that the "lock" was too stiff and wasn't closing properly. Just a thought

[stevek]

Can't seem to find the CCIA Z tags. Where are you guys finding them in Central Alberta?? Also, we though of keeping with our old tag system, but figured that it probably wouldn't be too long before they didn't even make the old types anymore. What do you think?