Oregon Senate Bill 1019 would make significant changes to the state’s brand inspection program for livestock, going as far as eliminating the state-level oversight structure by 2028.
The bill would authorize county governments to take over brand inspections and also exempt dairy cattle from inspection requirements. In addition, the bill would increase the maximum activation fee for brand recording from $100 to $150 and raise the brand inspection fee on cattle from $1.35 to $1.75 per head. Feedlots over 500 head would also be required to pay additional licensing fees.
Oregon Cattlemen’s Association President Matt McElligott submitted testimony against the bill, saying the industry asked for simple increases in fees, not to disband the program at the state level, exempt dairy cattle or add feedlot fees.
