Approximately 1.5 million head of livestock are inspected for ownership annually within the Livestock Ownership Inspection Area (West of Missouri River in South Dakota ). The Brand Board authorizes the South Dakota Stockgrower's Association to inspect cattle, horses, or mules for ownership within the livestock ownership inspection area and at designated Open Markets outside the ownership inspection area. 

Documents Required to Remove Livestock from the Inspection Area

• Local Ownership Inspection Certificate

• Livestock Market Clearance

• Shippers Permit

• Lifetime Horse Transportation Permit

Inspection Required:

• At Livestock Auction Markets

• At Private treaty sales

• Prior to slaughter

• Ranch production/dispersal sales

• Prior to removal from the Livestock Ownership Inspection Area

• Placement into a Registered Feedlot