Fate of Brand Committee, inspections heard by Legislators

This past week, the Agriculture Committee heard two bills at a public hearing: LB1187 and LB1258. Both bills propose changes to the state’s livestock branding law. The Nebraska Livestock Brand Act requires cattle owners in the western two-thirds of the state to comply with mandatory brand inspections. These inspections are overseen by the Nebraska Brand Committee and are meant to safeguard against cattle theft.

Last year, the Agriculture Committee held an interim hearing to examine the Livestock Brand Act and the role and mission of the Brand Committee. At this hearing, the Agriculture Committ...