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Agriculture for Secondary Schools

Freeze branding is also a permanent method of marking animals. It uses very cold
metal to damage the pigment-producing cells in the skin. This causes the hair in
the branded area to grow back white or colourless. Freeze branding is best for
animals with dark coats because the brand is easy to see. It is less painful than hot
branding and does not lower the quality of the hide or skin. However, it is more
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expensive to perform.

Activity 10.7
Visit a school animal unit in your school farm or a nearby farm and carry out the
following tasks:

1. Observe how ear tagging, ear notching, and branding are done.

2. Participate in ear tagging practices using a tag applicator (real or model).

3. Practise reading tag numbers and matching them with sample records.

Disbudding or dehorning
Disbudding or dehorning is done either to stop horn growth or remove horns. This
prevents injuries to other animals and people. Disbudding is done when calves
are less than two months old. It is safer and causes less pain than dehorning.
Dehorning is done later if disbudding was not performed. The tools must be
clean, and the animal should be handled gently. A trained person should do the
procedure.

Activity 10.8

In the school or a nearby cattle farm, carry out the following tasks:
1. Observe the disbudding and dehorning process.

2. Practise cleaning of disbudding and dehorning tools before and after the
procedure.

3. Practise safe ways of holding and controlling animals during the procedure.
Castration

Castration is the removal of or stopping testicle function in male calves that
are not needed for breeding. This helps to control mating, reduce aggression,
minimise inferior traits in the herd and improve meat quality. Castration is best
done when calves are between one and four months old. The main methods
include open method (surgical cutting) or closed method, (using rubber rings, or
a burdizzo clamp). The tools must be disinfected before use. After the procedure,

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