Got a brand?
Get it registered at county clerk's office

By DAVY MOSELEY | East Texas Edition

August 23, 2001 -- From the small-time hobby ranchers to bovine behemoths like King Ranch, livestock producers who utilize branding for livestock identification will soon be making a trip to their county clerk to have existing brands re-recorded.

Beginning Sept. 1, and going through Feb. 28, 2002, every rancher must register their brand, or brands, with their county clerk.

As of March 1, 2002, all brands not registered become open brands for the general public.

Although a new brand can be registered any time, Texas cattle producers, and horse owners, are required by law to re-record their brands every 10 years, and are given a six-month window to do so.

Even if a livestock producer records a new brand, close to the Sept. 1 date, they will have to go back to the clerk's office to have it registered - it's the law. Fees will be charged both times.

Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) provides county clerks with a mark and brand application where the producer must designate the location and shape of the brand and any earmarks. An application is filled out for each brand in use.

There is a fee for each brand registered in each location. For example, if a rancher has cattle in two different counties, but they have the same brand, the producer must register that brand in both counties. Costs vary from county to county and the brand must be registered in all counties in which the brand will be used.

"To re-register a brand, go to the county clerk's office and fill out a mark and brand application card. You may bring in a drawing of your brand or you can draw it out for us when you get here," said Elizabeth Everitt, Van Zandt County Clerk. "You must also specify the type of animal and the location on the animal that the brand will be placed."

Everitt added, the county clerk's office will check to make sure no one else has the same brand being used in that certain location. If the brand is not being used, the brand will be recorded and the producer will receive a certificate of the registration.

Gwen Moffeit, Henderson County clerk, said they were gearing up for the six-month brand registration period by getting the word out to local ranches.

"We are going to run a press release in the local paper explaining the process, and why it is so necessary. It is up to the individual to take the responsibility to come in and register."

Henderson County has some very interesting brands; some historical; some traditional; but, Moffeit recalls one brand she wagers few other counties have.

"One of the brands that sticks in my mind is one that looks like a Playboy bunny," Moffeit said with a giggle. "I doubt very many counties have a brand like that."

According to a press release issued by Van Zandt County Extension Agent Brian Cummins, TSCRA states branding is not mandatory to establish ownership of livestock. TSCRA also noted that it is illegal to use a brand that is not registered. The violation is a Class C misdemeanor. Branding does provide an important tool as a physical theft deterrent. Brands allow TSCRA inspectors to recover stolen property much quicker. In 2000, stolen livestock and ranch equipment worth $5.7 million was recovered or accounted for by Texas Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association inspectors.

For more information contact the county clerk in your county, or visit TSCRA's website: www.texascattleraisers.org.