In the United States, before fences were more commonly used to contain cattle, stock from neighboring ranches would often intermingle when grazing. Branding became an important way to be able to identify a ranch’s cattle and deter thieves. 

Animal rights activists have raised concerns over the ethics of branding and the pain caused to the animals. However, it continues to be a common identification tool today, and legal brands are registered with county or state authorities. 

The two main types of branding include:

Hot branding: A branding iron is heated in a fire or using electricity and then pressed briefly to the hide of the cattle. The brand will be visible immediately and will eventually turn into a permanent, hairless scar. While it causes momentary discomfort for the animal as the brand is applied, the process goes quickly and rarely causes complications.

Freeze branding: A freeze brand chills an iron to below freezing temperature using either liquid nitrogen or rubbing alcohol and dry ice. The branding iron is pressed to the hide for up to two minutes. The branded area will eventually scab, and in three to four months, white hair will grow where the branding iron was placed. This results in a white brand that contrasts with black or red hides. 

In addition to branding, ear tags are a commonly used identification method, but they can be easily removed. RFID tags are growing in popularity as an identification method thanks to the fact that they’re semi-permanent and assist in traceability and record keeping. Branding remains popular since it is a cost-effective and permanent marking that is difficult to alter.