47-420. Unlawful use of brands; additional marking systems; feedlot brands; permits, fees. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to use any brand for branding any livestock unless such brand has been duly registered in the office of the animal health commissioner at Topeka, except: (1) The use of a single numeral digit, zero to nine, in conjunction with the registered brand of the owner may be used for the purpose of determining the age of the branded animal, such number to be applied at least six inches from such registered brand; (2) the use of serial numbers in conjunction with the registered brand of the owner may be used for the purpose of identifying individual animals, such numbers to be applied at least six inches from the registered brand; (3) the use of numbers in conjunction with the registered brand of the owner may be used for the purpose of identifying herds of the same owner for feeding or experimental purposes, such numbers to be applied at least six inches from the registered brand; and (4) the use of a digital system of branding livestock may be used for the purpose of identifying animals in a licensed feedlot. Such feedlot brand may be used in conjunction with the registered brand of the owner, such brand to be applied at least six inches from such registered brand or may be used on animals which are not branded with a registered brand of the owner, subject to conditions, limitations and requirements applicable to the use of a feedlot brand as prescribed in K.S.A. 47-446, and amendments thereto. The age, serial, herd or feedlot brand shall not be construed as a part of the registered brand and the use of such numeral or numerals in conjunction with a registered brand shall not be unlawful. Before any person uses any such serial or herd brand in conjunction with a registered brand, such person shall first obtain a permit from the animal health commissioner authorizing such use.

(b) The animal health commissioner is authorized to receive applications for permits for such serial or herd brands and issue permits thereon. All applications for such permits shall be accompanied by a permit fee of $1.50. No such fee shall be required if the application for such permit is submitted in conjunction with an original application for the registered brand or in conjunction with a request for renewal of registration of a registered brand.

History: L. 1939, ch. 222, § 7; L. 1955, ch. 259, § 1; L. 1957, ch. 303, § 1; L. 1973, ch. 212, § 1; L. 1974, ch. 223, § 1; L. 1991, ch. 152, § 5; L. 2012, ch. 140, § 18; July 1.