Every year, NAMPO Bothaville presents the latest agricultural technology and innovation in South Africa. Although the team from Dry Ice 4 Farming could not present live demonstrations this year, it certainly didn’t dampen the inquisitive visitors’ spirit or the team’s enthusiasm. The enthusiastic team was still out in full force at NAMPO to welcome farmers with open arms and share firsthand information about the freeze branding method.

Cynthia Oliver, Freeze Branding Specialist for the Dry Ice 4 Farming brand at Dry Ice International, explained which branding irons are required for the freeze branding process.

The science behind cold branding

Instead of the age-old hot iron method that sears the skin, freeze branding utilises a cold application. The secret lies in the company’s special brass branding irons.

These irons are significantly thicker than regular branding irons. This extra thickness is essential so that there’s sufficient space and mass for the intense cold to effectively penetrate from the back through to the front.

When the cold iron is placed on the animal’s skin, the goal is not to cause damage, but to permanently destroy the colour pigment of the hair follicle. The result? The new hair that grows back over time is as white as snow.

Because no extreme heat is involved, no damage is caused to the skin or the underlying hide. No raw wounds or painful sores develop afterwards, as the skin itself experiences no physical trauma. Because this is a painless method, farmers don’t need to immobilise their animals during the process. This creates a calmer working environment for both humans and animals.

Long-term benefits for the herd

The elimination of trauma holds significant long-term benefits for the overall health and productivity of the herd. Where hot branding often causes production shocks, farmers using freeze branding can mark lactating cows without the feared drop in milk production.

Even pregnant cows can be safely branded without the risk of aborting due to stress. Because the animals are handled faster and easier without causing pain, farmers also save precious time and labour.

The result is a lifelong, highly visible identification mark. Even if the hair were to be shaved off, the mark always remains clearly visible on the hide, and on the carcass, even after the slaughtering of the animal. In practice, this means a farmer can drive past his livestock in the veld and immediately and accurately identify each cow from as far as 50 m.

Furthermore, this method of branding serves as an excellent deterrent against stock theft: it is a unique and unfamiliar way of branding, meaning stock thieves will struggle to alter or cover up this mark with a different one.

Tailored solutions and nationwide distribution

Dry Ice International supplies these unique freeze branding irons according to each farmer’s unique certificate requirements, and the necessary documentation is required before irons are issued.

The irons also feature complete number sets to meet any specific need. It’s important to know that traditional branding irons, even those made of brass, are not thick enough to correctly transfer the cold to the hair follicle, while standard stainless-steel irons cannot retain the cold long enough.

As an official nationwide distributor, Dry Ice International ensures that these special irons are delivered via a reliable courier service throughout South Africa and even across borders.

The Dry Ice 4 Farming team is ready to assist farmers with advice, sales and professional demonstrations to ensure their herd receives the best protection and identification.

Visit Dry Ice International’s website at www.dryice.co.za for more information or to get in touch with the team.