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Background of Ear Tags
Before the ear tags were produced the main identification system used to identify animals was branding. The branding was used for the farmers to be able to identify their animals. The main reason for using an identification system is to mark animals so there is proof of ownership and to be able to manage and trace the animals. Livestock can be identified and recovered if they are stolen or run away. Hot branding has been used for around 4000 years to identify livestock. There are several disadvantages to using hot branding to identify livestock. The hide of the animal becomes damaged where the animal is branded, so its value decreases. The size of the ear tags has a limit of how large the numbers can be. When the animal is branded at a young age the branded numbers or letters could get distorted, and then the numbers or letters may not be legible. In the winter as the animals grow a thicker coat of hair, the brand may become more difficult to see. Animal welfare has become a problem when animals are branded. The branding is said to cause distress and pain to the animal so it has been less frequently used. Ear tags are now used more commonly.

Ear Tag Industry in Canada
The cattle industry in Canada requires producers to have their cattle tagged with radio frequency identification when they are leaving their original herd. There are 12.22 million head of cattle and calves in Canada. Tagging the animals is the easiest way to identify a large number on the farm and in the processing plant. The dairy industry requires producers to tag their animals to have both a radio frequency identification tag and a normal visual tag. The Canadian producers have very tight standards because they want to minimize the spread of diseases and prove the ownership of the animal.

Tools and Labour Required
The tagger is the tool that is used for connecting the ear tag to the ear. It retails for $28.60 CDN and is universal so it can be used to tag any of their basic ear tags (T. Lynch, pers. comm. October 3, 2014). There is a specific tagger for each different line of ear tags. The tags do not affect the cows’ health or milk production. The tagged animals can be monitored easier, if they need to receive medication they can be located quickly within the herd. To secure a tag onto a cow’s ear, the tagger is used. The tagger is a handheld tool that is very easy to operate. When putting an ear tag on a cow the ear has to be clean. The ear tag should be cleaned before it is inserted through the ear. Rubbing alcohol is a very quick and easy way to clean the ear tag. This will decrease the chance of the animal getting an infection or disease from the open cut. If an infection or disease were to develop, the cow would suffer. The animal may lose production for a period of time or it may even die if the infection is harsh enough. The tagger crimps the tag on the front of the ear with a stopper on its back side. The animal will need to be held down when the ear tag is being applied. Most of the animals will move around or jump. If the animal is not held down, the animal or the person tagging could become injured. The best way to hold down cattle, is to put them in a chute with a halter, nose lead, or a head gate. For swine, the best way is to put them in a small pen with boards around them to cut off the movement. To completely secure the animal, a swine snare is recommended. To tag goats or sheep, they only need to have their heads held tightly by a second person. Very little labour is required once the tag is fastened on to the ear.

Steps to Appling Ear Tags
When applying the ear tags, they should be placed between the upper and lower ribs in the middle third of the ear. The tagger and the site of the ear tag needs to be clean. The two halves of the ear tag are loaded into the tagger. Before the animal is tagged the alignment of the tagger needs to be checked to see if the jaws close at the right point. The stud of the male portion needs to be in the center of the hole on the female part. The tag needs to be positioned in the proper site on the ear, then the tagger needs to be closed firmly and released in a quick manner. Check to see if the tag was placed in the correct position and secured. Also make sure the animals is comfortable with the ear tag applied. For the week after the tagged has been applied the animal should be watched. The best way to prevent an infection is to apply hydrogen peroxide daily for the first week to the site where the ear tag is. The ear needs to be watched until it is fully healed so no infection can develop on the animal.

Benefits to Canada
Exporting ear tags could benefit Canada in many ways. When exporting this product to Nepal, this would produce new management jobs within the company. The company has to deal with trading, exporting products, shipping, and handling that are involved with getting products out of Canada. The product needs to be sent to Nepal so there is trucking involve with getting the supplies from the warehouse to the shipping port or the airport. Ketchum could increase their sales and profit within the company by exporting to Nepal. This could be a start to exporting throughout the world. The sales will increase the revenue for Canada because of the exports. This will strengthen relationships with Nepal, so Canada could have the ability to trade more with Nepal.