Tag pens

[Chae1]

Anyone found an online alternative source of tag pens? Have tried other permanent markers in the past and they have faded. The tag pens seem to put ink into the tag so it absorbs it. We use them for management tags.

 

[Great In Grass]

I used to sell Fearing's tags and they have a pen which impregnates (I think) plastic tags. Give them a call, very helpful and will post direct to you.

http://www.fearing.co.uk/tags/accessories/markers/tags/accessories/markers/tag-pens

 

[tr250]

I try to get them to throw them in a deal with the years run of tags

 

[neilo]

Anyone found an online alternative source of tag pens? Have tried other permanent markers in the past and they have faded. The tag pens seem to put ink into the tag so it absorbs it. We use them for management tags.

So what's wrong with just using the tag pens then? I know there not cheap, but then nor is a faded tag that isn't fit for the purpose intended. Surely there's other costs to cut before you have to resort to saving a couple of quid on a proper tag pen? Or have sucklers really got that bad?

 

[scholland]

http://www.fanevalleystores.com/search.php?s=tag+pen&x=0&y=0

 

[S J H]

I think it's best to get the pen from the tag supplier. I've used a fearing pen on shearwell tags and it rubs off.

 

[scholland]

I think it's best to get the pen from the tag supplier. I've used a fearing pen on shearwell tags and it rubs off.

I use the ardes pen on shearwell tags lasts for years. Did have another type, can't remember which, that didn't work at all.

 

[M-J-G]

So what's wrong with just using the tag pens then? I know there not cheap, but then nor is a faded tag that isn't fit for the purpose intended. Surely there's other costs to cut before you have to resort to saving a couple of quid on a proper tag pen? Or have sucklers really got that bad?

Exactly right, I used a different pen to get one with a finer tip but they faded. So went back to an Alflex pen on Alflex tags which lasts for years.

Ps. It aint much fun trying to write on a tag when it's in a calf's ear. I'd have gladly given the price of a proper pen to save that job.

 

[Waltz]

With CNC laser cutters becoming ever cheaper and easier to use, what's to stop buying a load of blank management tags and laser printing our own management numbers on the tags, would look much more professional and they would never fade?

 

[M-J-G]

With CNC laser cutters becoming ever cheaper and easier to use, what's to stop buying a load of blank management tags and laser printing our own management numbers on the tags, would look much more professional and they would never fade?

That's a third tag though.

 

[wellingtonfarmer]

Yep we done the same last year with our calves used any old permanent pen and the numbers faded by weaning.... Was a right sh*t.... Use Alflex pen now

 

[Waltz]

That's a third tag though.

Yes we put a third tag into all cattle as they come onto the farm with it's date of birth so we can keep an eye on ages/don't let them go over age. Think it's quite common for people to put a seperate management tag in isn't it?

 

[M-J-G]

Yep we done the same last year with our calves used any old permanent pen and the numbers faded by weaning.... Was a right sh*t.... Use Alflex pen now

I did a trial run and threw the tag into the washing machine with 6 different washes and it never faded a bit, two weeks on a calf and they were barely readable.

 

[M-J-G]

Yes we put a third tag into all cattle as they come onto the farm with it's date of birth so we can keep an eye on ages/don't let them go over age. Think it's quite common for people to put a seperate management tag in isn't it?

Yeah in bought in cattle it is common. We are all home bred and just get the management type official tag for sire and dam ID.

 

[Fergieman]

http://www.allflex.co.uk/broad-tip-pen-c-12-p-79

 

[Conrad]

I use allflex pen seems ok It says on pen to go over writing twice to make it last. Done that this year so time will tell!

 

[neilo]

I use allflex pen seems ok It says on pen to go over writing twice to make it last. Done that this year so time will tell!

I've always used an Allflex pen too, even on other brands of tags. Had a load fade one year (on Denimex tags), but then the pre-printed ministry tags faded that year too. Duff batch of plastic maybe!

 

[Spartacus]

Yes we put a third tag into all cattle as they come onto the farm with it's date of birth so we can keep an eye on ages/don't let them go over age. Think it's quite common for people to put a seperate management tag in isn't it?

we have alpha numerical system. as in this years heifers are C1 C2 etc. Can tell the age at a glance without too much info on them.

 

[M-J-G]

we have alpha numerical system. as in this years heifers are C1 C2 etc. Can tell the age at a glance without too much info on them.

Does knowing the age of them make much difference after they are a second calver, which you tend to know up to that point anyway.

 

[Spartacus]

Does knowing the age of them make much difference after they are a second calver, which you tend to know up to that point anyway.

It can do as it means if theres a problem that could be attributable to age we know its age.