The Cow
 Identification and Pedigrees
 
Although no two cows look alike, to help farmers tell them apart, milk cows usually have their ears pierced with I.D. tags.  Each cow has a different number that allows the dairy farmer to track her activities by computer.  The cow's milk weight is recorded in the computer as well as any medicines she receives.  Do you have pierced ears? 

Pedigrees are like family trees.  They tell us who the cow's parents and grandparents are.  Pedigrees also tell us how much milk other family members produced.  This helps the dairy producer decide which cows to buy and which bulls to use. 

Here is an example pedigree: