Clarification on the brand inspection of calves without brands, or with brands that have not healed and peeled
The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) is issuing the following clarification on the brand inspection of calves without brands, or with brands that have not healed and peeled.
Absent a legal definition for “calf” or “calves” in Nevada Revised Statute (NRS) 565, industry standards will be used as a guiding principle in determining a definition for weaned calves. After weaning has occurred, the industry standards have been consistent in treating these weaned calves the same as other cattle.
Nevada Administrative Code (NAC) 565.300 (5) applies only to calves that have not been weaned. Calves that are weaned but are unbranded, or branded but not healed and peeled, are considered “cattle” and cannot be paired with the mother and brand inspections may be issued by a brand inspector at the place of origin and accompanied with an affidavit.
The brand inspection and completion of an affidavit will occur at the place of origin and will apply to unbranded weaned calves, or calves with marks and brands that have not yet healed and peeled. NAC 565.300 sections 1-3 will be applied for these weaned cattle.
A producer cannot use a livestock movement permit to transport unbranded, or calves branded but not healed and peeled, unless they are transported with their mothers. Brand inspections must be completed at the place of origin prior to transport.
If a calf is paired with a mother, all that is needed is a brand inspection. If the calf is weaned and unbranded or branded but not healed and peeled, or in the case of a leppy calf, these animals are considered “cattle” and brand inspections may be issued by a brand inspector at the place of origin and accompanied with an affidavit.
Clarification on the brand inspection of calves without brands, or with brands that have not healed and peeled
The NDA is issuing the following clarification on the brand inspection of calves without brands, or with brands that have not healed and peeled.
Absent a legal definition for “calf” or “calves” in Nevada Revised Statute (NRS) 565, industry standards will be used as a guiding principle in determining a definition for weaned calves. After weaning has occurred, the industry standards have been consistent in treating these weaned calves the same as other cattle.
Nevada Administrative Code (NAC) 565.300 (5) applies only to calves that have not been weaned. Calves that are weaned but are unbranded, or branded but not healed and peeled, are considered “cattle” and cannot be paired with the mother and brand inspections may be issued by a brand inspector at the place of origin and accompanied with an affidavit.
The brand inspection and completion of an affidavit will occur at the place of origin and will apply to unbranded weaned calves, or calves with marks and brands that have not yet healed and peeled. NAC 565.300 sections 1-3 will be applied for these weaned cattle.
A producer cannot use a livestock movement permit to transport unbranded, or calves branded but not healed and peeled, unless they are transported with their mothers. Brand inspections must be completed at the place of origin prior to transport.
If a calf is paired with a mother, all that is needed is a brand inspection. If the calf is weaned and unbranded or branded but not healed and peeled, or in the case of a leppy calf, these animals are considered “cattle” and brand inspections may be issued by a brand inspector at the place of origin and accompanied with an affidavit.
Regulations for brand inspections and livestock movement permits of calves
It has recently come to the attention of the Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) that calves not bearing any brand, or a brand that has not healed and peeled, have been improperly inspected for shipping or transfer of ownership.
Per NAC 565.300, a calf being sold or shipped without a brand, or without brands and marks healed and peeled, must be inspected while paired with its mother immediately before sale or shipment. (This step must be performed for all calves without brands or without brands and marks healed and peeled.) In the case of unbranded leppy calves or freshly branded calves, one of the following two steps must be performed in addition to being inspected while paired with its mother:
• A statement signed by the producer verifying ownership of the calves must be written on the brand inspection clearance certificate at the time of inspection; or
• An affidavit of ownership must be completed by the producer or brand inspector and attached to the original brand inspection clearance certificate.
Similarly, per NAC 565.220, a livestock movement permit is not valid for the transportation of calves without a brand or with a brand that has not been healed and peeled, unless the calves are traveling with their mother accompanied with a brand inspection or other proof of ownership.
If the provisions of NAC 565 are not met, the calves cannot be inspected or be issued a brand inspection clearance certificate for shipping or transfer of ownership and a movement permit is not valid for transportation.
NAC 565.300 was established in 1972 and subsequently updated or revised in 1977, 1997 and 2006. NRS and NAC 565 were established to protect livestock owners from theft and to aid in recovery of stolen livestock. The NDA’s mission of preserving, protecting and promoting Nevada agriculture is carried out by ensuring that all livestock producers receive equity in having Nevada’s rules and regulations applied fairly across all livestock owners.
Register a brand at agri.nv.gov/Livestock_ID. If you believe your livestock is being claimed by other individual or has gone missing, please contact an NDA Agricultural Police Officer at 775-353-3637.
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• USDA Rural Development announced investment funds to help rural Nevada businesses. Microloans for small businesses and entrepreneurs will be administered through the Nevada Development Corporation.
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Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-raised Fish Program (ELAP) – offering livestock and feed hauling cost assistance. 2023 calendar year losses application deadline: Jan. 30, 2024
Emergency Conservation Program (ECP)
Emergency Farm Loans
Emergency Relief Program (ERP)
Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) – 2023 calendar year losses application deadline: Jan. 30, 2024
• Non-Insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) – Application deadlines are crop dependent. Upcoming deadlines: Nov. 20, 2023, and Dec. 1, 2023.
• USDA Rural Development resource guide to help rural entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses.
• USDA launched a new website, www.usda.gov/meat to communicate open and pending programs focused on expanding meat and poultry processing capacity.