Brand inspection fees in Saskatchewan are going up Jan. 2.
Inspection costs will rise 75 cents per head to $2.75, while registering or renewing a brand will increase to $50 from $25 for a four-year registration and to $600 from $200 for lifetime registration.
Livestock dealer licences are doubling to $200 from $100.
Livestock Services Corp. of Sask., the non-profit corporation that took over brand inspection from the province, said the increases are necessary to reflect the true cost of providing the services.
“As an industry operated organization, LSS manages on a cost recovery basis,” said president Harold Martens.
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LSS is owned and operated by the Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association, the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association, the Saskatchewan Cattle Feeders Association, the Saskatchewan Horse Federation and Livestock Marketers of Saskatchewan.
The board decided to increase the fees after consulting with the five organizations.
SCA chair Paula Larson said today’s cattle prices make ownership identification more important than ever.
“But today’s prices also make this increase an acceptable cost of doing business,” she said.
SSGA president Doug Gillespie said the recent recovery of stolen cattle indicates the importance of brand inspection.
“Some might think that cattle theft is a thing of the wild west,” he said.
“But just recently the LSS has proven how important it is to have these services offered in Saskatchewan. Cattle are a rancher’s biggest asset, and it is important that there is the ability to prove ownership to prevent theft.”
