What can a beef cattle producer do to protect his livestock?
“As old-fashioned and outdated a practice as it seems, branding is still one of the best ways to protect your animals,” Troxel says. “Even with all the technology today, branding is the best way to permanently identify cattle.” It’s also important to register the brand with the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission, he says. Having your brand registered, could help law enforcement officers find your cattle if they’re taken. Troxel also gives these tips to protect your herd from theft: • Visit your cattle every day and count heads. The earlier you know they’re missing, the better chance authorities will have of finding them. • Take time to inspect the outside fence. Look for spots that were cut and haphazardly repaired. Look around for tire tracks, footprints, horse prints, etc., and if you find anything suspicious, preserve the evidence for authorities. • Report suspicious vehicles. If you see an unfamiliar truck being driven slowly, someone may be scouting your pasture. Report the
