Deciding on a brand?

[cre10]

I know most of yall probably have had the same brand on the family ranch for a great many years but I live in Missouri, a non branding state. With the way the world is today and after reading current articles on rustlers in Missouri I am wanting to brand my heard. How did you guys decide on a brand? I want something simple but unique. I've been reading and looking at hundreds of brands for possible ideas but still am having trouble deciding. Whatever I decide and after getting it approved by Missouri it will hopefully be in the family for the next hundred years which is why I am having trouble deciding. Anyone want to offer input on how they decided on a brand or a good website link for ideas?

 

[Ryan]

a lot of brands are representative of the ranch name or family name. so that could be a good starting point for you.

 

[2/B or not 2/B]

I agree, something that symbolizes your family or your ranch will have the most meaning to you even if no one else knows the story behind it. Our brand was chosen by my grandparents who I never got to meet. Occasionally I consider registering a new one but I always change my mind b/c it's more meaningful to continue what they started. I'm sure your grandchildren will feel the same way no matter what you end up deciding.

 

[spinandslide]

your family and/or you ranch's history/name are usually factored into a brand.

Be creative. and remember to designate a "spot" where you will brand..down here in texas, you have to designate the area of the animal that will be branded(hip,cheek,shoulder,neck,ect)

 

[K2011]

Some people around here that brand use the first letter of their last name and how many people are in their family.....example......4G......4E......well many have 4 people in their family but you get the picture......

 

[lawnviewfarm]

I always thought CH4 on the left hip would be kinda cool. ;-)

--Marc

 

[backhoeboogie]

Many characters are easily fabricated out of pipe, tube steel, angle iron, flat bar etc. Occasionally someone comes up with a character that is hard to make, for no good reason. Of course, you can get the store bought versions now quite easily if that is the route you are taking.

As far as the family brand goes, there were too many sons in most of my families and I come from a long line here in Texas. If brands were passed down, there'd be a few hundred of us all running the same brand.

 

[milesvb]

I always thought CH4 on the left hip would be kinda cool. ;-)

--Marc

If we're not careful algore's minion may require us to do just that!

...and tax us on the "emissions".

 

[cre10]

I've been thinking about it for a while and drawing little pictures trying to decide on one. My dad ran a small operation and now that I am grown and contributing we are getting to be a lot larger operation. I want to never forget him that started small as he was first generation. Our last name starts with an "E" so I am toying with ideas of EE or E2 (but have the two up higher and diagonal for E squared to incorporate both of us for later on when we are gone). Circle E2 might look nice. Anyone have some further input or ideas?

 

[dun]

Simple works best, and you don;t want closed corners/areas if possible.

 

[mac]

General guidelines I have read include avoiding acute angles. They can damage the hide.
We have two brands. One is an SF where the F flows off the bottom of the S. Another is LST where the L and S are connected at the bottom and the T stem goes down from there. I don't have any pictures of them but here is one you might want to consider.

 

[S&S Farms]

Once you have an idea you will need to send a copy to someone in missouri who actually registeres brands to see if it will work. In Kansas actually six ranches could use the same brand because there are six locations on the hide to brand. Our brand is my avitar for SSF.


Jeff

 

[TheBullLady]

A lot of Texan's brand.. so make sure you check with your county to see if it needs to be registered. They can also tell you if the brand on decide on has been used already.

Stay away from letters or numbers that have a closed end.. like "B", or "8" as they are hard to brand without burning the holes closed. Simple is best, and easiest to read.

I don't know about Missouri.. but here in Texas even though the auction barns are supposed to have a "brand inspector", I've known of many instances where ranches have lost branded cattle never to be found again.

 

[3waycross]

Like Dun said avoid closed shapes and letters, they don't heal as well as open designs.

 

[Double R Ranch]

We actually went to the brand office and they helped us design our brand and pick a location. They might do the same there.
Double R

 

[cre10]

I know you have to register a brand in MO. I will have to check and see where the office is so that maybe I can stop by and get a few ideas. From what I have read the stockyards are supposed to keep a record of all the branded cattle bought and sold. I too have heard that very few brand inspectors are ever at the sales but then again I have also heard that they dont try to stand out. I read a few articles that in southern MO they have had recent troubles with stolen cattle. I know it isnt a guarantee to not lose cattle but it sure cant hurt!

 

[mac]

Ooh, ooh. How about this for a Double-E brand.

 

[cre10]

I can't see these pictures. Is there something I need to reset in the forum or browser? It won't work on my pc laptop or my mac laptop.

 

[cre10]

I can view the pictures in all the other posts but not this one...hmmm..

 

[mac]

I can view the pictures in all the other posts but not this one...hmmm..

Hmm. My other E2 brand disappeared. I have had this problem before on this forum but here are links to both images: Double-E and the E2