Livestock Brand Registration Deadline Dec. 31st

Posted on Dec 9, 2010 in 2010 News Releases, News-Releases

NR10-14 December 9, 2010

HONOLULU – Owners of livestock brands in Hawai`i have until December 31, 2010 to re-register their brands with the Hawai`i Department of Agriculture (HDOA) or risk losing their rights to their brands. Hawai`i law requires owners of livestock in the state to register their brand to secure its validity and individuality.  While it is not mandatory to use brands in Hawai`i, it is mandatory for owners using brands to register them every five years. 

During the period 2005 – 2010, there were about 700 registered brands in Hawai`i.  So far, only about 425 brand owners have either completed registration or have submitted applications to register their brands. 

“Brand owners may re-register at anytime,” said Dr. Jason Moniz, veterinarian and manager of HDOA’s Livestock Disease Control Branch.  “However, if they do not re-register by December 31st, they may potentially lose the right to their brand should someone else apply for it.”

Typically, cattle are branded prior to one year of age so owners have a permanent and unique identification on their animals that traces them back to their ownership.  In Hawai`i, there are about 1,100 cattle operations ranging from herds of about 16,000 cows to those with just a few head. 

HDOA’s Livestock Disease Control Branch reviews brand applications and approves brands after determining that the brand is not the same or similar to others that are registered.  Branding continues to be the most practical and approved means by which cattle ownership is determined, particularly in the Western U.S. where most states require cattle moving interstate to be brand inspected. 

To view registered brands in the Hawaii Brand Book, go to: https://hawaii.gov/hdoa/ai/ldc/HAWAII%20BRAND%20BOOK%202006-2010.pdf

To obtain a brand registration form, go to: https://hawaii.gov/hdoa/ai/ldc/Brand%20Re%20registration%20form%20for%202011.pdf

For more information and applications, brand owners should contact HDOA’s Livestock Disease Control Branch at (808) 483-7106 (Oahu) or e-mail: [email protected]

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