Recording a Brand or Earmark in Utah

, Livestock Brand Recorder
(801) 538-7137 Phone
(801) 538-7169 Fax

The first step in recording a cattle, horse, or sheep brand in Utah is to decide upon a brand image. We have thousands of images already in our master catalog you may choose from or you may come up with something new and original. The best rule to follow is to keep the image simple; that way it is easier to read, and less painful for the animal.

Brands are recorded statewide, by position. There are six positions that the same image can be recorded for cattle and horses: left hip, left ribs, left shoulder, right hip, right ribs or right shoulder. On sheep there are three positions: withers, center back or rump. There can be a different owner for each position using the same brand image. Utah has no size requirement for brands, but it is recommended that they be between 2 and 4 inches in height.

Cattle and sheep must be branded only if they forage on open range (Government land), although it is recommended that all livestock be branded to prevent estrays and theft. If ownership changes, cattle must be rebranded with the new owner's brand within 30 days. Branding of horses is not required, but is recommended. Hogs are not required to be branded.

A brand application must be filled out and returned to the Department of Agriculture and Food along with a $75.00 registration fee for each position that is being registered. After the application has been processed and the brand approved you will receive a brand card in the mail. Brands must be approved before you begin using them. Brands are renewed statewide every five years, with the next brand renewal taking place in 2005.

To determine the letter or character under which a brand is filed or said, it should be read from left to right (straight away), top to bottom (stacked), or outside to inside.

Examples are:

Two lazy two

Quarter circle Z stacked

Circle T

Cattle earmarks are registered by district rather than statewide. The same application process is followed to register an earmark. Sheep earmarks are recorded statewide. Recordable earmarks are described below:

Underbit right ear	Under half crop right ear
Swallow fork left ear	Under slope right ear
Crop left ear	Slit left ear
Hole left ear	Under seven right ear