Few things are as important to a farmer as the welfare and safety of his animals. Due to the troubling increase in livestock theft and the shortcomings of ineffective identification systems such as ear tags, the protection of livestock has become more important than ever.
Since many farmers across the country are struggling due to enormous losses attributed to theft, effective identification isn’t just a deterrent, but also a valuable tool for finding stolen livestock.
According to the Animal Identification Act, 2002 (Act 6 of 2002), marking all livestock in South Africa is compulsory. Therefore, farmers must stay on top of things – and should first and foremost focus on prioritising the welfare of their livestock. To comply with this legal obligation and need for a more humane alternative, dry ice – or solid carbon dioxide (CO₂) – has emerged as a valuable tool for livestock farmers.
Kindness first
Produced and distributed by Dry Ice International in South Africa, this product offers many advantages that help farmers improve their farming practices, save costs and promote animal health. According to scientific research in journals such as Sabinet, traditional branding methods cause stress and pain to animals, which consequently harms them and affects their productivity. The studies also confirm that freeze burning is a far more humane method than its hot counterpart.
Freeze burning is an animal-friendly, less traumatic and more hygienic alternative that ensures clear and lasting identification. It’s especially important for cattle and dairy farmers, as well as horse breeders, since it creates a clear identification mark that, besides crime prevention, helps with herd management.
Traditional branding burns animal tissue, which can lead to infection and often leaves an unclear mark on the skin. Dry Ice’s freeze branding process, on the other hand, functions completely differently. It freezes specific pigments in the hair follicles, and after that, the hair grows back white and in the shape of the mark. As a result, there’s no tissue damage and a considerable improvement in the welfare of animals.
This method of branding isn’t only less traumatic but also saves a significant amount of time for farmers. Each mark takes mere seconds to apply, and the animals usually recover quickly. Since there aren’t any risks of burn wounds, scarring or infection, it simplifies the management of farm animals substantially. Freeze branding is especially important to farmers who process skins or manufacture leather products, as this method leaves the skin intact – and therefore it still maintains its value.
Responsible, accountable farming practices
Freeze burning has already proven that it’s a formidable opponent regarding stock theft – precisely because the marks are so clearly visible and permanent. Should a bull’s hair be shaven, he’d still be easily identifiable due to the mark on his skin. According to reports by agricultural experts, theft stock syndicates will think twice before stealing these animals – since the thieves are not really familiar with this system.
Because of the significant decrease in stress and pain the animals experience, farmers generally regard this method as a more empathetic and environmentally friendly alternative.
Another reason for ethically branding animals is the fact that consumers are becoming increasingly aware of how farm animals are being treated. Therefore, it’s imperative that humane practices, such as freeze branding, are utilised so that farms can maintain their reputations as responsible producers.
Farmers can only benefit from this innovative process. Environmentally friendly techniques that promote animal welfare ensure the future of sustainable livestock farming, which is advantageous for the environment as well as South Africa’s agricultural industry.
For more information about products, equipment and training, visit https://dryice.co.za/4-farming/, contact Cynthia Oliver, freeze branding specialist, at +27(0)78-164-1712 or send an email to cynthia@dryice.co.za
