Hot iron branding remains widespread in cattle farming for identification purposes despite causing significant acute pain, and alternatives such as RFID and freeze branding offer better welfare outcomes.
Hot iron branding persists partly from tradition and partly from the perception that it is a permanent and tamper-proof identification method. However, advances in electronic identification have largely removed the practical justification for inflicting severe thermal injury on cattle. Freeze branding causes less tissue damage and shorter duration pain response, while RFID technology provides reliable, permanent identification with no injury. Regulatory frameworks in some countries now require justification for hot iron use and promote alternatives. Transitioning to RFID-based identification requires upfront investment in readers and systems but eliminates a significant source of recurring animal pain at scale.