Cattle brands.

[kenny thomas]

Is there a web site where I can look up a brand? Bought some cows and one of them is carrying a brand. We do not brand in the east and I think she might have came from Nebraska as a heifer but just interested in knowing.
The brand is a backward S and WI.

[dun]

I doubt there is such a place. Each state has their own brands, some states it's even by county. A brand inspector from each state may have something like that but if you don;t know which state you would be spitting in the wind trying to find it. The same brand can be used by different people with ear notch and/or location of the brand being the difference.

[kenny thomas]

Thanks Dun. Not really important to find out, just curious.

[farmwriter]

I doubt there is such a place. Each state has their own brands, some states it's even by county. A brand inspector from each state may have something like that but if you don;t know which state you would be spitting in the wind trying to find it. The same brand can be used by different people with ear notch and/or location of the brand being the difference.

If they kept the registration up to date...

[novatech]

In Texas it is by county. If the cattle are registered it may be possible to find out through the breed association.

[kenny thomas]

She is not registered.
If it is by each county, what if someone two counties over has the same brand. I buy cows from three states and over 175 miles in three directions. If I were in the west what is the possibility I would get the same brand from a different area. I have read on some of the posts about brand inspectors, is this how they keep track of them.
Again with this cow it really doesn't matter but just curious. She might be in Missouri by the time she calves anyway.

[novatech]

It would be very rare that someone 3 counties over would have the same brand but I guess it could happen. Most try and keep their brand unique.
Brand inspectors are usually looking at brands for stolen cattle. So he is only looking for a particular brand on an animal that was reported stolen.

[kenny thomas]

You have my interest up now. Are you required to brand? If so who regulates it?

[Dakota Rancher]

Try www.nbc.ne.gov to look up Nebraska brands.

[Bez+]

Sort of proves that brands are not useable for trace back doesn't it?

Bez+

[novaman]

Sort of proves that brands are not useable for trace back doesn't it?

Bez+

If there were a national database it would be more plausible.

[novatech]

You have my interest up now. Are you required to brand? If so who regulates it?

Not in Texas. The Brahman assoc.( ABBA) requires a brand on all cattle to be regestered. I cannot say about other breeds.