What is the primary method used to identify pigs?

The primary method used to identify pigs is ear notching. This technique has been widely adopted in the swine industry because it provides a permanent and effective way to mark individual animals for identification purposes. Each notch pattern represents a specific number or letter, allowing farmers to keep accurate records of breeding, health, and other management factors for each pig.

Unlike other methods such as branding, which can cause more pain and stress to the animal, ear notching is relatively less invasive and does not affect the animal in a significant way. Additionally, while tagging and microchipping can be useful for identification, they may not be as practical for all scenarios in pig farming. For example, tags can be lost or damaged, and microchipping requires specialized equipment and is not as commonly used in everyday swine management. Ear notching remains the most prevalent and traditional method in the industry, promoting ease of monitoring and management of pig populations.