Best Ear Tag Marker?

[Smith]

We're looking for the best marker pen to use on blank ear tags.  For years we successfully used Allflex's pen on Allflex tags.  Since they went to the interchangeable tip a couple of years ago we have found the pens to be almost unusable.  The felt is extremely hard and doesn't flow ink very well.  When you attempt to press harder the ink will overflow the tip and blotch the tag.  We add birth date and sire to each tag so we aren't looking to switch to pre-printed tags.  Has anyone had good experiences with another brand that will not fade over time?

Thanks!

 

[blackdiamond]

still the best.

use a different tip, I always start out with the fine, and after awhile, it turns it'self to coarse.

Also keep them warm, and shook.  If I'm outside, put in a pocket close to the skin-- seems to work better.

I tried a different brand once, wasn't anything better than a sharpie.

 

[KKT]

We have had the best results with the marking pen by Fearing.

 

[ROMAX]

ALLFLEX is the only marker i have ever seen for sale at the store,don't even know who else makes one!

 

[NEB]

Farnam sells a No-Fade Ink Marker, I think at one point it was called a Z-Tag marker.  Works well for us. 

 

[KSanburg]

We use Ritchey tags and a small battery powered dremmel tool. Yes they are a little more expensive but they are a better tag and you don't have to worry about the ink fading.

 

[HAB]

We use Ritchey tags and a small battery powered dremmel tool. Yes they are a little more expensive but they are a better tag and you don't have to worry about the ink fading.

X2

 

[sue]

smith, I was told by a ALLFlex rep to wipe the ear tags with alcohol first and then use a marker?  Should prevent them from fading?  Not just allflex tags but all tags in general.?

I cannot say this works for sure

 

[cattlefarmer]

smith, I was told by a ALLFlex rep to wipe the ear tags with alcohol first and then use a marker?  Should prevent them from fading?  Not just allflex tags but all tags in general.?

I cannot say this works for sure

Its what I was told and do ink seems to be holding up well oonly my third calving season doing it but seems to be working.  Person that told me this has been doing it several years with little to no fade.

 

[C-CROSS]

Ritchey and grind in all the info you want and it never fades!!
<party>

 

[Gargan]

will the ink from the big black "Marks A Lot" markers stay on all-flex tags from spring til fall (for calf crop)?

 

[hntwhitetail]

will the ink from the big black "Marks A Lot" markers stay on all-flex tags from spring til fall (for calf crop)?

Nope... tried. Good lucking getting a month or 2.

 

[firesweepranch]

We use Ritchey tags and a small battery powered dremmel tool. Yes they are a little more expensive but they are a better tag and you don't have to worry about the ink fading.

X2

X3, and I think they are about $1 a tag. Well worth it considering they last the life of the cow!

 

[Smith]

Thanks to everyone who responded to this.  After looking into the Ritchey tags I'm curious if anyone has some sample pictures of tags they have made up with number, sire and birth date?  My concern is that trying to 'write' all that information with the Dremel tool, particularly small letters for the sire, would be time consuming and error prone.  Are you actually doing this for every calf or do you wait to use an engraved tag when you select your replacement heifers?

 

[KSanburg]

I don't have a picture handy. We have them in the truck or ATV and a cordless grinder and grind them as we need them. Yes it may take a little more time but after you do a few you get pretty adapt to it and they go pretty quickly. We do even pre-grind some of the calf numbers and then all we have to grind is the sire and birth date. You can get smaller size grind heads for what ever size of character you are working with, they are just a small course bur on the end. I will see if I can find an old one that I took out and post a picture, not sure I could get a close up of one in an ear.

 

[ejoe326]

I think there is a big difference in the Z-tag marker.  I used it side by side with the Allflex and it outlasts the Allflex by quite a bit.  The Z-tag does stay wet for quite a bit longer and I have numbers smeared on seats, buckets, etc.

I do put Ritchey tags in everything that makes it out of the replacement pen.  I did have problems with losing a few a first but have not since then.  It took me a while to get the hang of it but now it's pretty easy.