Nebraska cattle producers will soon have an additional tool to show ownership of their livestock through changes in the Nebraska Brand Act that allow electronic inspections.
While new technology has been available for some time to help identify livestock, many of those methods weren’t allowed in Nebraska until state law was passed last year.
Nebraska Brand Committee Executive Director John Widdowson says electronic brand inspection is an option now allowed, so the Brand Committee is taking stakeholder input on it.
Widdowson says “It’s very important to keep up with the industry,” with E-inspection a service that’s being requested by Nebraska producers – although he’s quick to add “It’s not going to be for everybody.”
Traditional branding won’t be replaced by the E-verify system. Widdowson says producers can still hot iron and freeze brand, the use of EIDs as the proof of ownership may end the need for a brand inspector to go out and do a physical inspection.
The Brand Committee’s E-Inspection Subcommittee is taking input as the agency sets up the rules, regulations, and policies for E-Inspection and enrolling cattle that fit the standards or requirements for E-Inspection.
Widdowson says the Brand Committee will use blockchain technology to secure information from potential cyberattacks.
Contact the Nebraska Brand Committee in Alliance at 308-763-2930 for more information.