Most ranchers that I know prefer a hide brand to ear tags, especially if the livestock are out in open range land. We still have rustlers out here in the West and swapping ear tags is a quick and easy thing to do when you’re looking to grab some fast money.
I should have probably included that ear tags frequently get ripped off when the cattle on open range. They get hung up in the brush and tree branches. Then there’s the potential for ear infections from open wounds. They work fine for livestock in cleared pastures. Country cows don’t like wearing plastic jewelry, I guess.