DID
YOU GUESS IT??
The
Nose of a Steer Ready to Be
Noseprinted for identification
Each
calf has a pattern on its nose, similar to our fingerprints.
Each print is unique and never changes. It is a permanent
form of identification.
The
calf at the right is being held securely and humanely in a
special chute. This way he doesn't hurt himself. Deanna Karmazin,
Extension Associate (photo left) has cradled his head so she
can work safely.
A
pad with non-toxic ink is applied to the calf's nose and then
a print is made by gently pressing a piece of paper onto his
nose to make the print. Do you see how the nose of the calf
is black? He has already had the ink applied to his nose and
is ready to have it printed. The photo below is the actual
print from a calf.
For
years, 4-H and FFA youth in Nebraska have been required to
nose print their calves to be eligible for the Nebraska State
Fair or AK-SAR-BEN. It is a reliable method of verifying the
identity of the animal. If
there are questions of ownership before a competition, noseprints
can be used to find the answers.
To
read more about how to noseprint, find more information on
Quality Assurance Training for Youth, read an article on Retinal
Scans (another form of identification), and learn more about
Lancaster County 4-H, visit HERE:
This
Can
You Guess It?? photo
(Right) is featured in the April 2004 NEBLINE (