Which of the following terms is not associated with the identification of livestock?

Collars are typically used for various purposes in livestock management, such as controlling animals during handling or providing identification for pets, but they are not a common method for the identification of livestock in the same way as the other options listed. Hot iron branding, tattoos, and ear tagging are all established techniques specifically designed for identifying livestock.

Hot iron branding involves applying a heated metal brand to the hide of the animal, leaving a permanent mark. Tattoos involve marking the animal with ink under the skin, usually in the ear, which can be a more discreet method. Ear tagging is a widely used practice where a tag is inserted through the ear of the animal, providing a visible and easily readable identification. Each of these methods serves the purpose of permanent identification, which is crucial for managing livestock records and ownership. In contrast, collars do not provide the same level of permanent identification and are not standard in the livestock industry for this purpose.