A physical modification made to an animal's ear using a specialized notching tool to indicate ownership, birth year, or lineage. The specific pattern and location of the cuts on the ear correspond to a standardized numbering system. Unlike plastic tags, these marks cannot be torn out or lost in the brush.
Heard on the job
The buyer wants to check the earmarks on the feeder pigs to confirm their source farm.
Also heard as
- ear notch
Do not mix it up with
- Ear tag: An earmark is a permanent cut made into the ear, while an ear tag is a removable plastic or metal clip.