There was a time when a brand was all that was needed. A simple time before the ccia tags. To brand my livestock cost a small amount, it marked them as mine and it was permanent.
Now I have to tag with them buttons and each year I am forced to redo the ones that rip them out. All at $4 per button.
I now have most of my stock missing parts of their ears, and have to get more per head just to offset the cost. Of course the feedlots don't pay as good for missing ears.
To make it even better I wondering what is happening with the stock that go missing each year. A pair of side cutters is easier to handle than a running iron. And I can't even skin the beast and look at the brand from the back.
What was the government thinking! All I have to do is cut off the button and put mine in and look that is not your cow it is mine! Prove that I am a thief!

The most unique pet I have ever had was a chicken. Smarter than any parrot, and she gave me breakfast every morning. She looked after me. I didn't have to look after her!
I had her for dinner when she got old.

Right, I have yet to see an animal go and start a war. Who is the real animals!