ABSTRACT
Cattle production in North America can be broken into two sectors: the cow–calf sector which represents an extensive production system and the feedlot sector representing an intensive production system. Intensive systems typically require more vigilant and regular management specific to animal housing and environment, feeding, and health and welfare related to animal confinement. The most common routine procedures include castration, dehorning, branding, ear tagging, parasite control, and vaccination. Branding is a very common method of animal identification which is used as proof of animal ownership and its practice has deep historic and cultural roots within North American beef industry. Canadian cattle crossing the US border currently require a brand for export purposes used to track reportable diseases. Branding is typically done at the same time as some other routine management procedures such as castration and dehorning or weaning.
