Brand Inspections
Here is an example of a lip tattoo on a horse. Lip tattooing is another way of identifying livestock.
A hot iron branding iron. When this is placed on the livestock, the brand would read O R left to right. Traditional fire heated branding irons are still used today. While they require longer lengths of time to heat, and can be inconsistent with temperature, they are inexpensive to produce and purchase.
Some animals might be unbranded but still have distinguishing marks, scars or features like the dorsal stripe down the back of this horse.
A freeze brand located on the horse's right cheek. Freeze branding uses a branding iron that has been cooled with dry ice or liquid nitrogen. This method does not scar the livestock but damages the pigment-producing hair follicles which causes the hair to grow in white. Light colored horses or mules need the iron applied longer to permanently stop the hair from growing.
Livestock owners need to have current brand inspections or permits accompanying livestock. Brand inspections include lifetime and annual inspections, transfers of ownership, change of pasture, travel permits, market permits, slaughter and hide inspections. Each specific inspection is good for a certain number of days.
Permits and inspections are written by Montana Department of Livestock (MTDOL) Brand Inspectors after inspecting the owner's paperwork and livestock. There are 12 brand inspectors in Missoula County. Livestock includes sheep, all equine, cattle and bison according to MTDOL.
"Brand inspections are important in that proof of ownership of the livestock is established by the seller during inspection and the buyer is given clear title to the livestock for their proof of ownership by the inspector and inspection certificate," said MTDOL Ernie McCaffree, Western Montana Supervisor and Brands Enforcement Investigator.
Cattle and equines need brand inspections to show proof of ownership, upon change of ownership and also for travel or shipment out of county or state. Hunting trips, buying or selling livestock, horseshows, trail rides, cattle shipping day, 4-H market beef weigh-in and auctions are examples of when inspections and trip permits are used.
Lifetime inspections cost $30 and are good for as long as the owner retains ownership of the livestock. Annual inspections need to be updated yearly and the owner's fee is $6 per head for equines and $1 per head for cattle.
Bison and sheep are required to have a movement permit, different than an inspection, and is recorded by MTDOL.
The certificate of inspection has particular specifications so livestock are easily identifiable. It makes no difference if the livestock is bearing a brand or not.
The certificate includes: the brand(s) or no brand, and location; other markings and location; ear tag color, location and number (if applicable); breed; age and sex of the animal(s).
On cattle and equines, brands can be located on the right or left cheek, right or left neck, right or left shoulder, right or left rib, right or left hip and right or left thigh.
On inspection papers, all white markings on equines must be noted as well as black points, scars or dorsal stripes or the inspection certificate will show a blank horse without any markings or brands drawn in. Some equines are solid color while others have many white patches or spots. The drawing in of the equines' coloring must match the animal the inspection is for.
Types of identification methods can include tattooing, ear tagging, traditional fire heated, electric, propane and freeze branding. How owners decide to mark or "leave clean" their livestock is usually their choice.
Reasons can depend on cost, visual appearance of the animal, breed regulations, or efficiency during branding. Mustangs that are adopted through the Bureau of Land Management are freeze branded on the neck while horses that test positive for equine infectious anemia can also be freeze branded if they are quarantined for life.
Racehorses are tattooed in their lip for identification at the track. Lip tattoos are located inside the upper lip. This leaves the horses' identification concealed and their hide unmarked.
In order to own a brand, individuals need to apply for an available brand with MTDOL and pay a fee of $200 to record their brand. This is so people do not end up with the same brand.
Having paperwork in order is helpful during brand inspections. Titles, bills of sale, previous inspections and even registration papers if applicable are helpful and necessary.
MTDOL inspectors have a mission to educate livestock owners and protect livestock from theft through the inspection process. It is illegal for inspectors to write permits for their own stock. Inspectors mail completed inspections to the state office on a weekly basis.
"Hundreds of thousands of livestock are exported annually from Montana, all accompanied by a brand inspection," said McCaffree. MTDOL receives several stolen and stray reports annually.
If caught transporting livestock without the proper inspection forms or being unable to show proof of ownership, the owner could face fines and possible impounding of the animals. If owners have paperwork identifying their livestock breed, brands, coloring, age, sex, markings and any ear tags, it can help inspectors find stolen animals and aid in the identification of strays.
For more information contact the Missoula Brand Office at 406-243-5689, online at Montana Department of Livestock or your local inspector.
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