Freezebranding heifers

[Mf310]

Well lads im after buying a set of freezebrands for my own heifers at home my usual freezebrand man is out of action this year so said id buy my own set . Didnt realise dry ice was as expensive when I bought the set but anyway going to go with it now and have dry ice ordered for the morning. I have 35 heifers to do at home then 50 to do for my neighbour.
I know alot of UK dairy farmers do their own branding so just have a few questions to ask on here .
Im starting at my own farm tomorrow morning.
I have a set of 2 inch brands and a set of 3 inch brands These heifers are well sized feb 2020 born in calf heifers so should I use the 2inch brands or 3 inch brands?
Would 6 month old well sized heifers be too young to brand yet?
How do I know when I have enough dry ice put into the methylated spirits?
Can i reuse this methylated spirits and how can i transport it to the next farm?
How do I dispose of the methylated spirits , guessing itd be ok in the slurry tank?

Thanks

 

[Princess Pooper]

Ours are done at about 8 months with small brands, come out really well. Helps being able to identify bullers!

I would use 3" brands for your in-calf heifers if you have room! Can't answer the rest as we use a freeze brander.

 

[HasthorpeGrange]

Well lads im after buying a set of freezebrands for my own heifers at home my usual freezebrand man is out of action this year so said id buy my own set . Didnt realise dry ice was as expensive when I bought the set but anyway going to go with it now and have dry ice ordered for the morning. I have 35 heifers to do at home then 50 to do for my neighbour.
I know alot of UK dairy farmers do their own branding so just have a few questions to ask on here .
Im starting at my own farm tomorrow morning.
I have a set of 2 inch brands and a set of 3 inch brands These heifers are well sized feb 2020 born in calf heifers so should I use the 2inch brands or 3 inch brands?
Would 6 month old well sized heifers be too young to brand yet?
How do I know when I have enough dry ice put into the methylated spirits?
Can i reuse this methylated spirits and how can i transport it to the next farm?
How do I dispose of the methylated spirits , guessing itd be ok in the slurry tank?

Thanks

Morning, you 3inch irons should be fine on your incalf heifers. The smaller ones should work fine with your heifer calves. If they are yours calves though you might find them easier to do when a bit bigger. I usually fine clarity of numbers more important than the size.
You want a small base of dry ice for the irons to sit on and then a bit between the irons. Then top up with spirit just about leave with the top of the number part of your iron.
The price of dry ice has gone up quite a bit in the last 12 months, probably COVID related with supply issues.
I buy the spirit in 20liter drums so just transport it in that.

 

[Boomerang17]

Well lads im after buying a set of freezebrands for my own heifers at home my usual freezebrand man is out of action this year so said id buy my own set . Didnt realise dry ice was as expensive when I bought the set but anyway going to go with it now and have dry ice ordered for the morning. I have 35 heifers to do at home then 50 to do for my neighbour.
I know alot of UK dairy farmers do their own branding so just have a few questions to ask on here .
Im starting at my own farm tomorrow morning.
I have a set of 2 inch brands and a set of 3 inch brands These heifers are well sized feb 2020 born in calf heifers so should I use the 2inch brands or 3 inch brands?
Would 6 month old well sized heifers be too young to brand yet?
How do I know when I have enough dry ice put into the methylated spirits?
Can i reuse this methylated spirits and how can i transport it to the next farm?
How do I dispose of the methylated spirits , guessing itd be ok in the slurry tank?

Thanks

Hi. I would personally just use the 3inch irons and do them at 12months+ age. As they can be very jumpy when younger. You’ll need about 20kg of ice to brand 50. You can re-use the alcohol i usually do around 800-1000 cows before i change the alcohol but keep adding more on top everyday. And when i do change alcohol i just throw it into the slurry pit. Hope this helps.

 

[Sandpit Farm]

I would use the methylated spirit twice before discarding. I prefer 2" brands on older animals but it's just because I hope it hurts them a bit less. If they are your heifers, make sure you run them through the handling system and crush a couple of times and reward them with something tasty. It isn't great to just do negative things to them in the race as they will associate it with something bad. You'd be amazed how much this speeds things up with handling.