Abstract: A tag for fastening to an animal's ear, the tag having a body with an opening therein and a shaft having a head portion at one end thereof, the head portion in use being passed through the ear and into the opening. In order to provide an opening in the ear of the animal which is of sufficient size to accommodate the shaft, the extremity of the head portion is provided with an annular cutting edge. In order to prevent slippage of the position of the tag against the animal's ear during initial stages of application of the tag, a locating spike is provided which projects axially of and beyond the annular cutting edge.

Abstract: A magazine type printing head for a printing machine having at least one two part chamber with a stack of typeface carrying slugs in each part. The head has means which move an upper slug from a stack in one part of the chamber to the second part and then moves a lower slug in the second part to a printing position in the first part of the chamber. The printing head has particular application in a hot stamping machine where means to heat the slugs are provided. A dye carrying foil is conveyed adjacent the typeface of the slug or slugs in the printing position. A movable support retains an article to be stamped and presses the article together with the foil against the typeface.

Abstract: An oestrus detection device comprising an indicator carrier of flexible material which is adapted for attachment to the top rear central section of an animal between its hip-bones. An indicator is detachably mounted on the indicator carrier, and is made of flexible coloured flowable material connected through a fine orifice to at least one channel. The construction and arrangement is such that when the indicator-mounted carrier is mounted on a cow or other female animal and mating technique by a second animal is made, pressure applied by the second animal upon the sachet forces the differently-coloured material to flow along the channel or channels of the indicator for observation by a farmer.