Abstract: An applicator for animal identification tags includes a tag magazine configured to hold a plurality of animal identification tags that are connected together in a strip and arranged in a row between a first end and a second end of the tag magazine. A pair of jaws receives one of the plurality of animal identification tags dispensed from the tag magazine and are operable to affix the received animal identification tag to an animal's ear by engaging a male portion and female portion of the animal identification tag through the animal's ear. The tag magazine is movable relative to the jaws to sequentially align each one of the plurality of tags in the magazine with a tag receiving portion of the jaws. The applicator includes a dispensing mechanism to dispense the one of the plurality of animal identification tags that is aligned with the tag receiving portion of the jaws.

Abstract: An animal identification tag includes a female engagement portion and a male engagement portion having a tip, the female engagement portion being configured to receive and retain the tip. The tip comprises a body formed of a first material, the body including one or more openings that are filled with a second material, such that a first portion of an outer surface of the tip is formed by the first material, and a second portion of the outer surface of the tip is formed by the second material. The first material is harder than the second material.

Abstract: An applicator for an animal identification tag has a first jaw and a second jaw defining a gap for receiving an animal's ear. A pin is mounted to the first jaw, the pin being configured to receive a male part of the tag. The first jaw and the second jaw are movable relative to one another to a closed position to drive the male part of the tag through the animal's ear. The pin is movable relative to the first jaw in a longitudinal direction of the first jaw between a first position and a second position, the second position being further from a proximal end of the first jaw than the first position. When in the first position, an angle of the pin relative to the first jaw is fixed and, when in the second position, the pin is pivotable relative to the first jaw.