The Ins & Outs of LIVESTOCK REGISTRATION

Should you really do all the work involved in registering your livestock? All the applications, fees, tagging, and more can seem unnecessary and time-consuming, especially if the majority of your animals are destined for the freezer. But there are advantages to maintaining a registered herd, even on a small scale.

Why You Should Register

Registering livestock can, in many cases, increase an animal’s value. Prospective buyers will often pay more for livestock with registration papers. Not only do the papers prove that the animal is indeed a member of a specific breed, but they can also give the new owner some idea of what to expect in terms of performance. In addition, it shows that you value your animals.

Certain sires and dams in every breed have reputations — sometimes good and sometimes bad. Finding certain names in a pedigree can prepare the new owner for not only what the animal is capable of, but what abilities his or her offspring could likely inherit.

For example, the American Quarter Horse