BRANDING STOCK

Southland Times, Issue 23716, 14 January 1939, Page 12

BRANDING STOCK

Slovenly methods in the branding of stock, particularly cattle, are in evidence far too frequently, the results being most undesirable in many respects. Quite often the carelessness with which the branding irons are applied involves cruelty, although it may be unintentional. It is cruel to hold the hot iron on an animal until the skin is burnt through, and it cannot be justified on the score of necessity. This practice may be due to underheated irons, but, on the other hahd, it may be due to over-hot irons held on the skin a fraction of a second too long, or with too much pressure. Such branding causes blotches, and very often the actual letters or figures are indecipherable. The skin in the area involved is ruined for

tanning purposes, and festering sores may result. Identification of the animal by means of such a brand is rendered very difficult, if not impossible. It is a well-known fact that, on large stations, where thousands of calves are branded yearly, and where speed is a factor in the handling of big mobs, the standard of branding is much higher than on some small holdings—such as farms, where only two or three calves may be branded at irregular periods.