Mary Allen
Introduction: The curious case of triangles on hog’s ears
Have you ever noticed triangular cuts on the ears of hogs? These marks are not random, but rather a system of identification implemented by farmers and ranchers. Ear notching, as it is commonly known, has been used for centuries as a way to keep track of individual animals in a herd.
Ear notching is a simple and cost-effective method of marking livestock that provides valuable information about an animal’s age, breed, and lineage. Despite its effectiveness, ear notching has come under scrutiny in recent years due to concerns about animal welfare and the availability of more advanced identification systems. In this article, we will explore the history, science, and controversy surrounding ear notching.
Historical context: The origin of hog ear notching
Ear notching has been used as a system of identification for livestock for centuries. It is believed to have originated in ancient China, where farmers used notches on bamboo sticks to keep track of their animals. The practice then spread to Europe and eventually to the Americas.
In the United States, ear notching was first used by pig farmers in the early 1900s. At the time, there were no reliable methods of keeping track of individual pigs in a herd, which made it difficult to manage breeding and other important aspects of pig farming. Ear notching provided a simple and effective solution to this problem, and it quickly became the standard method of identifying pigs. Today, ear notching is used not only for pigs but also for other livestock such as cattle, sheep, and goats.