Freeze Branding Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is freeze branding important for Angus Australia members?

Freeze branding is an effective way to permanently identify black Angus cattle. Individual animal identification is fundamental to accurate pedigree and performance recording.

To record animals in Angus Australia’s Herd Book Register or Angus Performance Register, an animal must have one form of permanent identification by weaning and a second form of permanent identification by 18 months of age.

2. What is freeze branding?

Freeze branding uses chilled branding irons to alter the hair follicles within the hide so that the hair grows back white.

3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of freeze branding?

Advantages

• Permanent identification: Freeze brands cannot be removed or lost. This is particularly useful for bulls, which may have a higher rate of NLIS tag loss due to fighting.
• Easy identification: Freeze brands can be clearly seen from up to approximately 50 metres away, allowing animals to be identified without bringing them into the yards.
• Useful for management: Freeze brands can make identification during artificial insemination programs and heat detection easier.
• Improved animal welfare: Freeze branding is considered less painful than fire branding and causes less damage to the hide.
• Improved workplace safety: Freeze brands reduce the need to read tattoos where suitable cattle restraint facilities are unavailable.
• Brand recognition: A clearly applied property brand can help promote your operation and identify your cattle.

Disadvantages

• Time: With an experienced operator, suitable facilities and two people, approximately 15 animals can generally be branded per hour using four letters or numbers.
• Animal size: Cattle must be large enough and in suitable condition for the branding irons to fit properly. Tattooing can be completed at a younger age.
• Variable results: The success of freeze branding depends on the equipment, technique, restraint and timing used.
• Operator skill: Applying a clear and legible freeze brand requires experience. Poorly applied brands may be difficult to read and can negatively affect the presentation of an animal.
• Cost: Purchasing branding irons, coolant and other equipment can be expensive. Many producers therefore choose to use a contractor.

4. When should I apply a freeze brand?

A freeze brand can be applied once an animal is large enough to accommodate the brand and is in suitable body condition. A reasonably large, flat surface is required for the branding irons to make even contact with the hide.

Weaner cattle may not have enough rump space for a property brand, year letter and individual identification number. However, when freeze brands are applied to younger animals, the brand grows with the animal and may become larger and easier to read as the animal matures.

Many producers apply freeze brands to yearlings or before sale. Angus Australia regulations require animals recorded in the Herd Book Register or Angus Performance Register to have a second form of permanent identification by 18 months of age.

If freeze branding is delayed, another form of permanent identification, such as an NLIS device or tattoo, should be used to ensure the animal’s identity is not lost.

The timing of freeze branding may also depend on the availability of suitable restraint facilities. A secure crush reduces animal movement and the risk of producing an illegible brand.

Body condition should also be considered. Thin cattle are generally more difficult to brand successfully and may produce a poorer result.

Seasonal considerations

In colder climates, freeze branding during autumn and winter may require a longer application time. However, effective results can still be achieved.

5. How soon can the brands be read?

During the first day after branding, the skin will usually swell and form a raised outline of the brand. This may remain visible for one to three days, depending on how long the branding iron was applied.

Within two to three weeks, the branded area will usually form a scab and begin to peel.

Approximately six to ten weeks after branding, white hair should begin to replace the scab. Brands may become visible sooner when branding occurs as a new hair coat is beginning to grow, such as during spring.

6. What equipment is required?

Freeze branding irons

When identifying cattle registered with Angus Australia, producers may need to apply a property brand, year letter and individual identification number.

Because branding irons take time to cool before they can be reused, at least two complete sets of numbers and the relevant year letters may be required.

Purchasing individual freeze branding irons can be costly, so many producers choose to engage a contractor who supplies the appropriate brands and equipment.

Fire branding irons generally do not produce a consistent result when used for freeze branding. They may be too narrow, too small or may result in scarring.

Freeze branding irons are generally made from copper or a copper alloy, such as brass or bronze. These materials retain cold evenly and for a longer period.

Branding irons should generally be:

• Three to four inches tall
• Three-eighths to one-half of an inch thick
• Approximately one inch deep
• Made with rounded edges to reduce hide damage
• Fitted with a non-conductive handle grip, such as wood

Suitable cattle-handling facilities

Freeze branding irons are applied for longer than fire branding irons, so animals must be securely restrained to prevent movement.

A suitable crush, ideally a squeeze crush with side access and a strong head bail, is recommended for efficient and effective branding.

Additional equipment

When completing freeze branding yourself, you will also require:

• Coolant: Dry ice mixed with denatured alcohol, such as methylated spirits, or liquid nitrogen
• Insulated container: A Styrofoam or hard-plastic esky placed inside a second container to reduce the risk of cracking
• Curry comb
• Clippers
• Room-temperature alcohol: Applied using a hand-spray or squeeze bottle
• Protective gloves
• Timer
• Pacifier: A rounded 13 mm steel rod with the end bent into a hook may assist during branding
• Two people: Ideally, one person should handle the branding irons while the other assists with animal preparation and restraint

Coolant options

Dry ice and alcohol are commonly preferred because the branding irons may remain cold for longer, potentially producing more consistent results. This option may also be less expensive and easier to transport than liquid nitrogen.

Up to two 2 kg blocks of dry ice may be required to initially cool a branding iron, with smaller amounts required to re-cool it between animals. Allow approximately 0.5 kg of dry ice and 0.5 litres of alcohol per animal.

Liquid nitrogen is colder and requires careful handling. Leaving the branding iron on the animal for too long may kill the hair follicles and create a scar similar to a fire brand.

Liquid nitrogen should be transported and stored in an appropriate non-pressurised vacuum flask obtained from a suitable gas supplier.

7. How is freeze branding carried out?

1. Avoid freeze branding during rainy, windy or humid conditions, as these conditions can cause branding iron temperatures to fluctuate.
2. Place the branding irons in liquid nitrogen or a dry ice and alcohol mixture. The heads of the irons should be covered by at least one inch of coolant.
3. Allow approximately 15 to 20 minutes for the branding irons to cool. Frost forming at the base of the iron handle generally indicates that the iron is sufficiently cold.
4. Secure the animal safely in a suitable squeeze crush.
5. Brush the intended branding area to remove dirt, debris and loose hair.
6. Clip the branding area to ensure good contact between the branding iron and the hide. Avoid clipping the hair too closely, as this may increase the risk of damaging the skin.
7. Clip a neat square to provide a guide for positioning the branding irons and achieving a straight, attractive brand.
8. Brush the area again to remove any remaining loose hair.
9. Saturate the branding area with room-temperature alcohol using a spray or squeeze bottle.
10. Immediately apply the branding iron and start the timer.
11. When using dry ice, an application time of approximately 40 to 45 seconds may be required.
12. When using liquid nitrogen, approximately 15 seconds may be required on Angus cattle.
13. Apply the brand to the animal’s rump, between the hook or hip bone and the pin bones.
14. Double-check all letters and numbers before each application. Numbers can be easily misheard in noisy cattle yards.
15. Remove any debris from the branding iron before returning it to the coolant.
16. Allow the branding iron to cool for at least two minutes before using it again.
17. Once branding is complete, safely store or dispose of the remaining coolant.

When dry ice and alcohol have been used, allow the alcohol to stand overnight in a well-ventilated area before returning it to a suitable container.

Unused liquid nitrogen may be carefully returned to its original transport container. Appropriate protective equipment should be worn to reduce the risk of splashes to the skin or eyes.

8. What happens if a mistake is made?

The best way to reduce mistakes is to use an experienced operator, appropriate freeze branding equipment and suitable humane animal-restraint facilities.

If the animal moves and the branding iron loses contact with the hide, check the timer immediately to determine how long the iron was applied.

Where possible, reapply the branding iron in exactly the same position for the remaining application time. Applying the iron for too little time may result in an incomplete brand, while applying it for too long may damage the hide and cause scarring.

Problems with freeze brands may not become apparent until several weeks or months after branding. In some cases, producers may need to wait for a complete hair-coat cycle before determining whether the brand was successful.

If a brand must be reapplied, the animal may have grown and the original branding area may no longer be suitable.

9. How do I obtain a property brand?

Stock branding requirements differ between Australian states and territories. Producers must use a brand or symbol that is registered to the relevant property and apply it in the legally approved position.

To obtain a cattle brand, contact the authority responsible for stock brands in your state or territory. This may be your relevant Department of Primary Industries, local land services organisation or another state government authority.

The authority will advise:

• Whether your proposed brand is available
• The approved design and dimensions
• Where the brand may be applied to the animal
• The relevant registration requirements

The brand design should also be recorded with Angus Australia. Because the brand mark must be unique, members should advise Angus Australia of their proposed mark before having a branding iron manufactured or applying the brand to any cattle.

Once the brand has been registered, the relevant authority will provide documentation showing the approved design and dimensions. This information can then be supplied to an ironmonger, forge or branding-iron manufacturer.

Simple brand designs generally produce the clearest results.

Acknowledgements

Angus Australia gratefully acknowledges the assistance of:

• Colin Keevers, Alumy Creek Angus
• John Pickford and Colin Kendall, Nationwide Artificial Breeders