EID Tag retention

[Extreme Optimist]

Anyone else having problems? Seem to be losing loads - most through ripped ears. Tag company have blamed diagonal feed barriers, but they are pretty much all new with no edges to catch on. Also lost a fair number through the summer when they were out and I am all mains electric so not sure what they could be catching on.
The system is great for the ones that retain them, but when up to 20% of a batch have lost them, it stops becoming worthwhile and it's getting to the point where I am considering ditching them. Which seems a little ridiculous as there is talk of them being compulsory next year.
Anyone had similar experiences?

 

[milkloss]

Just wait until they’re compulsory then the sh1t will hit the fan.

 

[Extreme Optimist]

Just wait until they’re compulsory then the sh1t will hit the fan.

I suggested to the suppliers that I could use a Primary, an EID and a Ketchum type tag as a back up......but of course no, nothing could be as simple as that! You are not allowed to have 3x DEFRA type tags......WHY???

 

[Matt]

I found some of the eid tags have longer stems. So don't hold as close to the ear.

 

[Extreme Optimist]

I found some of the eid tags have longer stems. So don't hold as close to the ear.

Are losses fewer? Do you use button or flag type?

 

[Water Wheel]

Use Allfex EID non reusable , closed end buttons tags on cows, lose around 5% a year, some are 8 years old.
Put one in a heifer the wrong way round , button on the outside, that lasted about a month.
None ripped out , can reuse old hole for next tag.
So far only on random number tags ,not DEFRA numbers so replacement is easy.

 

[manhill]

Should all be metal and watch the fun when inspectors have to read them.

 

[HarryB97]

We use the shearwell tags and I think they have a free replacemet policy on them, have lost 1% of the tags in the last year and have had probably 5-7% which didnt read because of to much muck or just faulty. All cattle feed through diagonal barriers. The main issue we have is the pin bending when putting the tag in the ear.

 

[milkloss]

None ripped out , can reuse old hole for next tag.

You’re not supposed to use old holes, manufacturers state you should always apply a tag in new ear.

We use the shearwell tags and I think they have a free replacemet policy on them, have lost 1% of the tags in the last year and have had probably 5-7% which didnt read because of to much muck or just faulty. All cattle feed through diagonal barriers. The main issue we have is the pin bending when putting the tag in the ear.

I don’t think shearwell do free replacements for eid. The retention isn’t good enough for shearwell to do them free.

 

[Extreme Optimist]

You’re not supposed to use old holes, manufacturers state you should always apply a tag in new ear.



I don’t think shearwell do free replacements for eid. The retention isn’t good enough for shearwell to do them free.

Agreed, Shearwell don't do free replacements on EID......as their retention rate is too low!!
It is the ripped ears that I have an issue with as much as anything else....and where the hell do you put the new tags??

 

[milkloss]

Agreed, Shearwell don't do free replacements on EID......as their retention rate is too low!!
It is the ripped ears that I have an issue with as much as anything else....and where the hell do you put the new tags??View attachment 755244

Unfortunately the answer is when. As it leaves the holding.

 

[Samcowman]

Agreed, Shearwell don't do free replacements on EID......as their retention rate is too low!!
It is the ripped ears that I have an issue with as much as anything else....and where the hell do you put the new tags??View attachment 755244

One like that. In the top part of the ear. Bloody annoying when that happens and you can see it’s clearly been tagged right first time around.

 

[foxbox]

We have no issues with EID tag retention; we solved the problem here long before EID though. Check your diagonal barriers on the vertical joins (where they're bolted to the stanchion etc) as often there is a gap there, we lost a lot of tags there until I filled the joints and it improved things a lot. Also; are you using ring feeders? If you are again check the vertical joint between the two halves as this is narrow enough to get behind damaged tags but can also open to pinch tags too. I made some cover strips for these and tag losses are virtually zero now, to the point that if I put a feeder in without strips you find only that group has lost tags. Diagonal flat steel gate braces may also be an issue but I've never found tags around gateways so haven't done anything about that.

 

[Extreme Optimist]

Thanks @foxbox . I will have a look at the joints and see if I can block those gaps - bits of rubber belting maybe??

 

[foxbox]

Thanks @foxbox . I will have a look at the joints and see if I can block those gaps - bits of rubber belting maybe??

Maybe, depends how your barriers are made I think. Ours have a vertical piece of flat which seems to have distorted slightly due to welding and galvanising I guess, it's got a slight bow in it. I've filled ours with some squirty filler type stuff, it's kind of worked but after a few years is beginning to crack and fall out in places. I was being lazy though as that saved unbolting stuff (in reality just put off fixing it until another day..).

 

[manhill]

Pity the plastic tags need the pliers pin running through the hollow shaft. It would be nice if the tag would just slide off after fitting. It wouldn't matter if the head jerked away suddenly then. At the moment the pliers pin has to be pulled out of the tag. Doesn't apply to BVD sample tags of course but young calves are no problem.

 

[Old Tup]

Using Shearwell eid Tags , the secondary Tag with the blank writing area gives us over 99% retention, but I make sure they are tucked well into the ear.
No free replacements for Eids.
Also using the reusable tags.....mixed results.
Retention has not been that good, currently using a heavier duty Male Tag at the moment.
Finding tags in field and Male part has torn apart at the neck behind the locking part. No torn ears.
Another relevant factor is Tag placement......eid button inside the ear can lower the readability. Depends on your panel reader, adjacent metalwork etc. But it should help with retention.
Shearwell have been nothing else than very helpful, ready to listen and help if they can.