That ID issue is a good question. In my case it is not an issue. I have a small herd and it seems like each hereford calf has slightly different markings. I make notes when I first see a new calf nursing and have been able to identify each in the corral. It's not bad with just 10-15 Hereford calves currently.

If I make a mistake in the corral it is no big problem. I just note in cattlemax which eartag is nursing which cow and correct the eartag n the fall on retained animals or just leave it on ones going to the processor. The computer records are always straight. Cattlemax allows you to change an eartag number on an animal which is very handy.

On larger herds of similar looking cattle I can see where there is a benefit to first day tagging.  A friend with a lot of cattle has a cage type device on an ATV he uses to catch calves and is inside protected while he tags and bands them.

There are many different ways to raise cattle.

Jim at Dawn