Temporary Cattle Identification: Benefits of Marking With Hair Bleach

Authors

• Melanie Heaton, Utah State UniversityFollow
• Reganne K. Briggs, Utah State UniversityFollow
• Rebekah Iverson, Utah State University
• Brooke Holgate, Utah State UniversityFollow
• David Secrist, Utah State UniversityFollow

Document Type

Factsheet

Publisher

Utah State University Extension

Publication Date

9-22-2026

First Page

1

Last Page

5

Abstract

Temporary identification is an important management tool for beef producers. Animals are routinely marked following breeding, pregnancy diagnosis, vaccination, treatment, sorting, shipping, and marketing so they can be quickly identified without repeated handling. Effective temporary identification improves labor efficiency, reduces animal stress, and helps ensure management decisions are applied to the correct animals. This fact sheet provides information on temporary cattle marking using hair bleach.

Recommended Citation

Heaton, M., Briggs, R., Iverson, R., Holgate, B., & Secrist, D. (2026). Temporary cattle identification: Benefits of marking with hair bleach [Fact sheet]. Utah State University Extension.