Lawmakers Continue Look At Fix To Brand Program

Lawmakers and the Ag industry continue to work in Olympia to fix the Livestock ID program, which has been running into the red for several years.  Senate minority leader Mark Schoesler said while everyone acknowledges the Brand Program needs to be fixed, it’s not an easy task.  He said it’s important when it’s all said and done that the program and the very least breaks even.

Schoesler added he does not envy Senator Judy Warnick who is trying to get entire livestock industry on board.

“It’s a very fragile coalition at best. We have different rates if you’re a certified feeder, a dairyman, or a cow calf operator.  Then we have people with no identification that certainly cost the system.  So, right now it’s a fragile coalition working toward a fix.”

Figures indicate the Livestock ID Program has lost at least $1 million over the past two years.

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