Which is the universal identification system used for swine?

• A. Ear Tag
• B. Brand
• C. Ear Notching
• D. Tattoo

Answer: (C)

Ear notching is the identification method most widely used and accepted for pigs because it provides a permanent, easily readable mark that cannot be lost like a tag or brand. Notches are placed in specific positions on the ears and read using a standardized pattern that encodes information such as the pig’s birth litter and individual number. This system is durable, persistent across the animal’s life, and widely recognized by producers, veterinarians, and breed registries, making it the go-to universal method for identifying swine.

Ear tags can fall out or be damaged, branding is less practical and more invasive, and tattoos require handling and can be hard to read, so they don’t offer the same reliable, permanent identification that ear notching provides.