MERRITT, B.C. —The British Columbia Cattlemen’s Association wants to expand brand inspection in the province.
A resolution was passed at the association’s annual meeting to cover areas west of the Cascade Mountains.
The brand inspection act lists the prescribed districts as the Peace River, Central Interior, Cariboo, Kamloops-Okanagan and Kootenay.
“It just seems, as the cattlemen’s association, we should be trying to get full coverage for the province with our brand inspection,” said David Haywood-Farmer during the annual meeting May 21-23.
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Beef producers and processors on Vancouver Island have asked to become a prescribed area. Producers on the island would like to participate in certain programs and could form a stockman’s association to become part of the provincial association.
“If the Island gets on board, then the Lower Mainland will be forced into it as well,” said Bob Miller, manager of Ownership Identification Inc.
The Fraser Valley was previously exempted from brand inspection because most of the cattle in the region were dairy cattle, which are not usually branded.
However, the dairy industry has become more active in the Interior, where replacement heifers are being raised and then returned to the Fraser Valley.
“For the most part, we have a good handle on those operations moving their cattle back and forth and complying with brand inspection regulations,” said Miller.
John Anderson of the Nicola Valley Stock Breeders Association said his region is home to a number of un-branded dairy heifers, which are raised there and then shipped west.
Most owners comply with brand inspection rules, but there is an added cost for the service.
He said a permit system could be used for this class of cattle.
Ownership Identification offers an annual permit for rodeo stock contractors, so a similar document could be developed for dairy cattle moving around the province, said Miller.
