Understanding Freeze Branding Disadvantages

Freeze branding is a commonly used method of identification which has become popular in the livestock industry. [2] Having several advantages, it is beneficial to pay attention to the disadvantages in order to make choice of its use.

This post explores what freeze branding is, how to do it, what the benefits are and, of course, disadvantages of freeze branding cattle. By the time we’re through here, you’ll have a decent grasp on those, to weigh the pros and cons for your own situation.

What is Freeze Branding?

Freeze branding or cryo-branding is a form of livestock branding which involves the use of cold branding irons to mark the animal with a code of letters, usually in the Roman alphabet, and/or numbers which can be a useful aid in identifying animals. It works by freezing the surface of an animal’s skin, deactivating pigment-producing cells, causing white or hairless markings in the shape of the brand.

This system also acts to efficiently identify the livestock and, in certain situations, discourage theft. Freeze branding is popular among farmers and ranchers, but it’s also not without its challenges that you’ll want to think about before choosing freeze branding.

How Does Freeze Branding Work?

The freeze-medod of branding consists in cooling branding irons by means of liquid nitrogen or a mixture of dry ice and alcohol to very low temperatures. Here’s how the process works:

Preparation of the Brand

The branding irons are placed into the freezing solution to a depth to reach target temperature (between about -100°F to -300°F, depending upon the freezing agent).

Restraint of animals and site preparation

The selected branding site in the animal is then shaved and cleaned to facilitate uniform encounter between the branding iron and the skin.

Application

It is left on the prepped area for a set amount of time, typically 20 to 30 seconds, depending upon the thickness of the animal’s skin and the brander being used.

Skin Reaction

The extreme cold kills the melanocytes (cells that produce pigment), causing white hair to grow back in or, in some cases, patches of hairlessness.

In reality though, there are a plethora of factors that can result in failure or success of freeze branding.

Benefits of Freeze Branding

Freeze branding is a popular method of animal identification, we should mention some of the pros of this technique before highlighting the cons:

Indelible Identification: When done correctly, freeze branding is a lifetime identification.
Better Visibility: The white hair marks stand out incredibly on darker hogs, you can view them on the animals notably from a distance.
Bronco Branding is Not as Stressful: Freeze branding is actually less painful than hot iron branding because the cold freezes the skin on contact.
Less Scar Tissue: Freeze branding reduces scarring and the risk of infections, unlike hot branding.
Anti theft: Permanent identification is an effective deterrent against theft because animals are easier to trace.

Now, as wonderful as freeze branding sounds, it is just as imperative that we also know of its drawbacks.

The Cons of Freeze Branding

Freeze branding does have its drawbacks, however. Here are the main disadvantages to consider:

Risk of Over-Branding

Freeze branding the horse for too long, however, can result in over-branding, killing the hair follicle completely. When this occurs, instead of whispy white-haired markings, a hairless spot will develop. These are harder to notice and could hurt the efficacy of the branding.

Hair Regrowth Can Vary

It is strongly dependent on pigmentation and hair type. Animals that have a white hair coat or have minimal hair may not display the same results as the bleached brand hair will match the natural hair color. Also, hair growth in the rebranded area varies between animals, so markings may deteriorate over time.

Requires Specific Equipment

Freeze branding is far more involved and can require equipment like freeze branding irons and liquid nitrogen tanks and isn’t as convenient solution as ear tagging or tattooing. The acquisition cost of these tools and the required maintenance is high, preventing small-scale farmers or farmers with few resources from purchasing it.

Not Suitable for All Animals

Freeze branding is most successful on animals with dark or medium backs, as the white hair growth provides the best contrast. Light colored animals (white cattle) may not exhibit contrasting branding results and this makes freeze branding less viable for some breeds.

Cost Considerations

Freeze branding is a feasible option in the case of bigger herds, but purchasing a branding iron, freezing agents, and associated equipment makes the start-up comprise a huge expense. Besides, businesses may have to train workers to get it right, in a bid to prevent error, that makes it even more expensive.

All of these factors together can make freeze branding less suited to some applications or industries.

Pros and Cons of Freeze Branding

Surly freeze branding is a very useful tool in animal identification. Due to its solid, visible and less invasive nature, it has become very popular within the livestock sector. But issues, whether inconsistent responses or steep upfront prices, mean it isn’t right for all circumstances.

If your brain isn’t turning circles backwards after reading that, and you’re willing to look towards freeze branding, take the pros and cons diagramed here, and balance them out. Think about what you need, what types of animals do you have, and how you intend to feed them, to help you decide if this is the way you want to go.

For those who need a more defined identification for darker animals, or for those who have flocks to mark, freeze branding may be a very good option. But for paler animals or those on a smaller budget, it could be worthwhile considering other forms of marking such as tattoos or digital tagging.

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