Understanding Sheep Ear Tag Colours

Each sheep’s ear tag color has a different role. Also, a farmer must understand their different meanings. In this section, we will learn about these colors in detail. So, let us know what each color has to say.

When we talk about the yellow tags, they tell us about the birth year of the sheep. Using the yellow color tag, the recording of the birth year of the sheep is there. To add more, farmers can also provide distinctive color tags to mention the lamb born in different years. So, how does it help? The role of this tagging is to ensure a proper record of the breeding history and age of the sheep. So, one can select the sheep for various purposes using this method.

Unlike any other tag, the red tag serves a different purpose. How does it help? The role of the red tag is to highlight and mention particular records about the sheep. What kinds of records? It includes all the records about the health and breeding patterns of the sheep. Certain genetic trends and breeding patterns are visible, keeping these records. Thus, it is how red tags work.

White tags are the basic types used to carry out the same old task. What are they? Well, they identify the number of sheep in the flock. These tags are most effective on sheep with dense dark fur. Hence, we see the use of these tags for sheep identification.

How will we identify the sheep offered or transferred from one farm to the other? The blue ear tag makes this task easy. So, to make this marking easy, this blue sheep ear tag color is there. When you move the sheep from one farm to another or sell them at a public place, it gets a blue tag.

The use of the green tag keeps specific control practices in check. Also, the prime purpose of this sheep ear tag colour is to mark and identify specific sheep. For example, if you have given some of your sheep a particular nutrition. How will you identify them from the flock of sheep? Those particular sheep will get a green ear tag for this identification.

Are you aware of the role of the purple ear tag? Why is it in use? Some organizations research the genetics and behavior of sheep. Thus, a specific purple ear tag is used out of all sheep ear tag colours. These purple tags are used for tracking software and study recording.

If a particular sheep is selected for some purpose, it will get an orange ear tag. You must have seen it somewhere when some sheep are selected for breeding or even at farm shows.

Well, let us understand it in an elaborate format in this section. Sheep ear tag colours are present under two different categories. Yes! What are these? Depending on the place of birth or the origin, the classification of these tags is there.

A Breeder Tag: What is a breeder tag? A sheep gets a breeder tag when it is on the property of birth. To keep a record of the year of birth of the sheep, there are different sheep tag colors. Also, the sheep tag color should coincide with the sheep’s birth year. What do these sheep tag colors signify? Each color has a specific cycle. These are:

• 2008-2016: Black
• 2009-2017: White
• 2010-2018: Orange
• 2011-2019: Light Green
• 2012-2020: Purple
• 2013-2021: Yellow
• 2014-2022: Red
• 2015-2023: Sky Blue

Thus, these are the specific sheep tag colors that signify different birth years.

Post-Breeder Tag:Now that we know about the breeder tag, let’s find out about the post-breeder tag. What is a post-breeder tag? Imagine a scenario in which you have a sheep not born where you live. Well, a pink tag is used in such scenarios. If you bring a sheep to a different property from the property where it was born, these pink tags are in use. Also, it showcases that the sheep was from a different owner and now does not have lifetime traceability.

Hence, these two types of sheep ear tag colors are prevalent. What if the sheep loses the tag? Well, you can apply the breeder tag anytime at the place of birth. Otherwise, one should apply the pink post-breeder tag.

You should not remove the tag yourself or change it otherwise. If the tag itself does not fall out or is damaged, you cannot change it yourself.

An ear tag plays a crucial role in the identification and marking of sheep. If there is anything you want to know, you can find all the information by simply scanning the tag. With growing technology, different tags are used. From virtual tags to RFIDS, there is so much new technology today. But the marking and sheep ear tag colour will always play a decisive role. Thus, this guide will always help you in the long run.