Inspection Requirements and Fees
When are cattle inspections required? All cattle must be inspected for brands or other proof of ownership at the following points. Both branded and unbranded cattle must be inspected.
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At any change of ownership. This includes any private sale, trade, gift or barter.
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Before leaving Washington state.
Exception – cattle may be moved out-of-state without an inspection if they are destined for a public livestock market in another state where WSDA brand inspectors are stationed to perform inspection for Washington cattle. At this time, this exception only applies the Lewiston Livestock Market in Lewiston, Idaho and the Northwest Livestock Commission in Hermiston, Oregon. Cattle must be accompanied by a Washington certificate of permit (haul slip) and one of the markets above must be listed as the destination of the cattle on the haul slip.
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When offered for sale at any public livestock market or special sale.
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When delivered to any cattle processing plant where USDA maintains a meat inspection program.
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When entering or reentering a certified feedlot.
When are horse inspections required? All horses must be inspected for brands or other proof of ownership at the following points. Both branded and unbranded horses must be inspected. Change of ownership inspections for horses are not required but they are recommended, especially if the horse is branded.
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Before leaving Washington state.
Exception – horses may be moved out-of-state without an inspection if they are destined for a public livestock market in another state where WSDA brand inspectors are stationed to perform inspection for Washington horses. At this time, this exception only applies the Lewiston Livestock Market in Lewiston, Idaho and the Northwest Livestock Commission in Hermiston, Oregon. Horses must be accompanied by a Washington certificate of permit (haul slip) and one of the markets above must be listed as the destination of the horses on the haul slip.
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When offered for sale at any public livestock market or special sale.
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When offered for sale at any open consignment horse sale.
What types of inspection certificates are provided? All inspection certificates issued by WSDA brand inspectors, certified veterinarians, and private field livestock inspectors establish and document legal ownership of the animals listed on the certificate to the owner/buyer listed on the certificate. Unless noted, all certificates may be issued for either cattle or horses.
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Change of ownership certificate. These are used for any private treaty sale for either cattle or horses (if desired). By Washington state law, the buyer must indicate the physical address of the destination of the livestock. Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) fees and Beef Commission assessments are collected for cattle in addition to the livestock inspection fees.
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Out-of-state movement certificate. Commonly called a “one-way.” These serve as a valid interstate transportation document for the owner. The destination of the livestock must be provided by the owner. These certificates are good for one trip from Washington to the destination listed on the certificate. ADT fees are collected for cattle in addition to the livestock inspection fees.
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One-Way Group (horses only). This is a type of out-of-state movement certificate written for groups of 30 or more horses listed on the same certificate owned by one person. The fee is only $2.20 per head, instead of $3.85 per head on a typical one-way. These certificates are good for one trip from Washington to the destination listed on the certificate.
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Pasture Movement (cattle only). This is a type of out-of-state movement certificate and may be used if the owner has calves that are exempt from the inspection fee. In order to qualify for the exemption, the calves must either be branded with the owner’s brand or bear an official electronic 840 series RFID tags. The calves must be part of the cow/calf unit and they must be listed on a valid interstate grazing permit. These certificates are good for one trip from Washington to the destination listed on the certificate. ADT fees are collected on all cattle (including calves) as well as the livestock inspection fees.
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Annual Certificate. This is a type of out-of-state movement certificate typically written for individual animals, although they can be written for groups as well. They are good for multiple trips across state lines for one year from the date of issue. ADT fees for cattle as well as livestock inspection fees are collected.
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Annual Group Certificate. This is a type of out-of-state movement certificate written for groups of 30 or more cattle or horses. Just like an annual certificate, they are good for multiple trips across state lines for one year from the date of issue. The inspection fee is only $5.50 per head on groups of 30 or more instead of $22 per head for a typical annual inspection. ADT fees on cattle as well as livestock inspection fees are collected.
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Lifetime Certificate. This is a type of out-of-state movement certificate. This certificate documents ownership of the livestock and is valid for interstate movement for the lifetime of the animal as long as you retain ownership. Lifetime certificates are not transferrable to a new owner.
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Market Certificate. These certificates are commonly called “out-slips” or buyer’s slips. WSDA issues these certificates at the completion of every market sale or special sale.
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Duplicate Certificate. These certificates are commonly called “write-backs.” When an owner surrenders an original brand inspection certificate as proof of ownership documentation, WSDA inspectors will issue a duplicate certificate back to the owner with the number of branded animals remaining in their possession.
As an example, if you buy 100 head of cattle and receive a brand certificate with 100 head listed, then sell only 50 head one year later. You would need to surrender the original brand certificate listing 100 head as your proof of ownership when you get them inspected. When you do that, you still have 50 head remaining in your possession but you do not have any documentation on them. In this case, WSDA will issue a duplicate certificate or “write-back” to you listing 50 head still in your possession. There is no cost to issue the first duplicate certificate. However, if it is lost or damaged, there is a $25 fee to issue you a certified copy of a replacement certificate.
The electronic cattle transaction reporting (ECTR) system is a web-based platform for Washington cattle owners to electronically report change of ownership or out-of-state movement of their cattle. The ECTR system cannot be used at public livestock markets, special sales, or certified feedlots where there is no change of ownership.
What are the requirements to use it?
All cattle reported in ECTR must have electronic official individual identification (RFID), commonly known as an “840” RFID tag. Users must submit proof of ownership documentation for all branded cattle that are reported in ECTR. This can be done using the owners’ recorded Washington brand or other proof of ownership documents listed in rule (WAC 16-610-021).
How much does it cost?
- Application fee or the annual renewal fee $33.00
- (expires June 30th)
- Base rate $1.30 per head (840 RFID tags required)
- Animal Disease Traceability fee $0.23 per head
- Beef Commission assessment $1.50 per head (for change of ownership only)
ECTR promotion
Yes. In addition to cost savings associated with change-of-ownership and out-of-state-movement transactions, the first producers who apply for ECTR are eligible to receive free 840 RFID tags.*
- 40 tags and one applicator for producers with herds of 50 head or less.
- 100 tags and one applicator for producers with herds of more than 50 head.
Who can perform livestock inspections?
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WSDA Brand Inspectors will provide inspection certificates for all required inspections.
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Certified Veterinarians and Private Field Livestock Inspectors may provide inspections for change of ownership and all out-of-state movement inspections (one-way, one-way group, pasture movement, annual, annual group and lifetime).
When do I need a haul slip? A certificate of permit, commonly known as a “transportation permit” or “haul slip” is required under the following circumstances:
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In transit (cattle).
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When consigned to a public livestock market, special sale or slaughter plant.
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When entering a certified feedlot (cattle).
Haul slips may not be used as a bill of sale for cattle or horses. Haul slips can be purchased from WSDA by contacting livestockid@agr.wa.gov or (360) 902-1855. The price is $5.00 for a book of twenty-five.
What proof of ownership documentation do I need before a brand inspection? The following documents may establish proof of ownership.
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An official livestock inspection certificate issued by the director.
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An official electronic cattle transaction reporting certificate.
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A duplicate certificate or certified copy of an original inspection document issued by the director.
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An official inspection certificate issued by another state or province that maintains a livestock inspection program.
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Registration papers on purebred horses.
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Registration papers on purebred cattle if the brand is not recorded in this state.
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For horses only, a bill of sale from the previous owner.
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A certificate of veterinary inspection issued by a state that does not maintain a livestock inspection program. Vaccination/test tags and the animal description must be verifiable and match the document.
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Only original inspection certificates, official duplicate certificates, or certified copies of inspection certificates are acceptable. The name of the livestock owner must appear on the document that is submitted. Carbon copies, faxed copies or photocopies will not be accepted except for registration papers on purebred livestock.
Livestock Inspection Fees
| CATTLE INSPECTION FEES | ||
| INSPECTION TYPE | CLASS OF LIVESTOCK | INSPECTION FEE |
|
Identified Cattle: bear owner’s recorded brand or official 840 series RFID tag | $1.21 per head |
| Non- Identified Cattle: unbranded or brand not recorded to owner | $4.00 per head | |
| Exempt Calves** | No inspection fee | |
| Small Slaughter (less than 500 head/day kill capacity) |
All Cattle | $4.40 per head |
| Annual Certificate | All Cattle | $22.00 per head |
| Annual Group Certificate | 30 or more cattle on one certificate | $5.50 per head |
| Lifetime Certificate | All Cattle | $63.00 per head |
| BEEF COMMISSION ASSESMENT | ||
| Any Change of Ownership | All Cattle | $1.50 per head |
| ANIMAL DISEASE TRACEABILITY FEES (ADT) | ||
| Any Change of Ownership or Out-of-state Movement | All Cattle | $0.23 per head |
| CALL OUT FEE | ||
| All Inspections | $20.00 per visit | |
-Must be branded with owner’s recorded brand or identified with an official 840 series RFID tag
-Must be part of cow/calf unit
-Must be listed on a pasture movement permit
-ADT fee still applies to calves
| HORSE INSPECTION FEES | ||
| INSPECTION TYPE | CLASS OF LIVESTOCK | INSPECTION FEE |
|
All Horses | $3.85 per head |
| One-way Group | 30 or more horses on one certificate | $2.20 per head |
| Annual Certificate | All Horses | $22.00 per head |
| Annual Group Certificate | 30 or more horses on one certificate | $5.50 per head |
| Lifetime Certificate | All Horses | $63.00 per head |
| CALL OUT FEE | ||
| All Inspections | $20.00 per visit | |