USDA Advises of Branding Requirements for Imported Cattle

(WASHINGTON, DC) USDA announced a branding revision this week for cattle imported from Mexico. The change will simplify the branding process while continuing to ensure Mexican cattle are easily identifiable and traceable in the event of an animal disease detection. Feeder cattle will be branded with a single “M” on the right hip and breeding cows will be branded with a single “M” on the right shoulder. Permanent identification on Mexican cattle is required to protect the domestic herd from tuberculosis and brucellosis. Cattle imported from Mexico will still require an official eartag for traceability purposes. USDA is publishing this final rule, which will become effective 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.