Hey ELBEE - I like the bull family idea, but with no bull (so to speak) I had to create a different system. I use Allflex preprinted Maxi tags for the cows - it has the farm name, the cow name (on the top) and the tattoo number and letter (ie 24T) in bigger numbers on both front and back. I tried to create a system using different colors but it really didn't work - basically I use a different color for all cows that look similar - so that no black cow with white sox has the same color ear tag (that way someone who sees a cow in heat can id her for me by description and ear tag color - if they cant see the number).I am starting to use the same color for cow families but I have discovered that some colors don't really show up well - blue is great on red cows and pink (or this really obnoxious orange) on black cows - yellow is OK on black cows but the Allflex green, white and some other colors are just not very visible from a distance - Black with white is very cool and stylish!
Calves get preprinted tags with tattoo number and farm name - also from Allflex; color changes every year. I number according to birth order - I started doing bulls on the right ear (save that ear for the Bang's tattoo in heifers) and heifers in the left ear - but having the left- right problem that worked for just one calf - so now they all get it in the left ear and when they leave the farm that tag is replaced with RFID (and I don't need to punch a new hole) as required by MI law.
