Register Branded Livestock

Department of Agriculture News Release

Owners of livestock brands in Hawaii are required to re-register their brands with the Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) between Sept. 1 and Dec. 31, 2010.  Hawaii 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 Hawaii, it is mandatory for owners using brands to register them. 

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.  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.

In Hawaii, there are about 1,100 cattle operations ranging from herds of about 16,000 cows to those with just a few head.  For the period of 2005 through 2010, there were 682 brands registered in Hawaii.  Brand owners are required to re-register their brands every five years.

For more information and applications, brand owners should contact HDOA’s Livestock Disease Control Branch at (808) 483-7106 (Oahu) or e-mail: hdoa.info@hawaii.gov.